FOUNDERS OF COME OVER OCTOBER CAMPAIGN NOMINATED FOR PRESTIGIOUS WINE ENTHUSIAST “PERSON OF THE YEAR’’ WINE STAR AWARD Nomination in Recognition of Wine Advocacy Campaign that has Galvanized the Wine Community and is Reaching Wine Drinkers with Positive Messages about Wine NEW YORK, NY, September 10th, 2025 – Today, Wine Enthusiast announced nominees for the 2025 Wine Star Awards.  Among industry luminaries vying for the prestigious awards, the founders of the “Come Over October” wine advocacy campaign – Karen MacNeil, Kimberly Noelle Charles and Gino Colangelo – were collectively nominated for “Person of the Year.”  This category nominee is defined as ‘an individual who has made significant and remarkable contributions to the advancement of the wine, spirits and beverage industry through their leadership and vision.’ The definition certainly fits Karen, Kimberly and Gino, three wine communication professionals who took it upon themselves to advocate for the entire wine community in the face of unprecedented headwinds. Jacki Strum, President & Publisher at Wine Enthusiast Media, explained the reason for the nomination of the Come Over October team and why Wine Enthusiast has been among the campaign’s earliest and largest supporters.  “The Wine Star Awards are the industry standard for achievement and distinction in the wine industry.  Karen, Kimberly and Gino certainly fit that definition based on their wine advocacy work,” said Jacki.  “When we first heard about the Come Over October campaign, we realized its potential because of the clarity and simplicity of the message: Wine brings people together.  We also understood the need for a campaign to introduce more Americans to wine culture, which is the mission of Come Over October.”   TIME Magazine called Karen MacNeil, “America’s Missionary of the Vine” and Karen has been named one of the “100 Most Influential People in Wine in the United States.” She is the author of the award-winning book, THE WINE BIBLE, which has sold more than a million copies.  “This nomination has touched our hearts,” said Karen MacNeil. “Come Over October started as a tiny spark of an idea born of three people’s passion for wine. That spark has gone on to ignite the entire wine industry. Come Over October reminds us why we all love wine—because it reminds us of what matters: friendship, generosity, authenticity, and human connection.” Kimberly Noelle Charles’ name is synonymous with wine marketing at its best level. Over her 40-year career she and her team have, through her creative marketing strategies, versatility and natural story-telling gifts, helped brands attain a level of distinction and draw in the marketplace. Charles stated, "We are truly honored by this recognition.   With our collective experience in the wine world, we've seen challenging times before, but we remain firm in our belief that wine is the world's most civilized, communal, and memory-making beverage.   We all have very busy day jobs, but have given this campaign, in its second year, our best creativity and energy.   It has resonated well beyond U.S. borders, going from a campaign to a movement." Founder of industry-leading wine and spirits communications agency, Colangelo & Partners, Gino also has many years of experience in retail, giving him unique insights into consumer behavior that impact the work his agency does on behalf of their domestic and global clientele.  He commented, “Together with Karen and Kimberly, we want to thank the Strum family who were among our very first supporters and helped us believe in the viability of our campaign in the earliest days when we needed the support most.”   Gino continued, “Going back more than two years, it became clear to me that wine was under attack and needed advocacy.  After exploring various avenues for supporting the wine community, I was fortunate to partner with Karen and Kimberly on the creation of the Come Over October campaign, which has captured the imagination of the wine community as well as wine drinkers across the US.” “The beauty and strength of Come Over October lies in the simplicity of the message: Wine brings people together,” added Adam Strum, Founder and Chairman of Wine Enthusiast Companies.  “I think it’s remarkable that three individuals, working purely as a mission-driven project of passion, have been able to coalesce an industry and make such an impact in a relatively short amount of time. Wine Enthusiast is proud to be among the first supporters of this powerful campaign.” About Wine Enthusiast Wine Enthusiast Companies is a Certified B Corporation and the ultimate source of innovation and information around wine. Founded in 1979 by Adam and Sybil Strum, the family-owned company is composed of Wine Enthusiast Commerce and Wine Enthusiast Media. Wine Enthusiast Shop provides premium wine-lifestyle products, reaching millions of consumers globally via direct mail, an e-commerce site, and a business-to-business division. Wine Enthusiast magazine is an award-winning print publication and online resource that showcases wine news, food trends, and more than 25,000 ratings and reviews annually. Wine Enthusiast events include the annual premier Wine Star Awards gala. In 2024, the company launched a travel division, which includes the Tasting Room Directory and Cork+Compass Travel. Together, Wine Enthusiast Companies is the indisputable hub for everything wine. We bring wine to life. About Wine Enthusiast’s Wine Star Awards Each year, Wine Enthusiast celebrates the most influential members of the wine, spirits, and beverage world at the annual Wine Star Awards. This year marks the 26th anniversary of honoring the individuals and companies that make outstanding contributions to the industry. There are 16 categories for the 2025 Wine Star Awards. Four of the categories will have a named winner. The other 12 categories include a list of nominees exemplifying dedication and innovation to the success and growth of the wine, spirits, and beverage sector. The nominees were nominated by members of the Wine Enthusiast media team, including the global sales, events, marketing and editorial divisions. The 2025 Wine Star Award winners will be honored at the 26th annual black-tie gala in January 2026. About Come Over October Come Over October is a mission-driven advocacy campaign that encompasses all wine – domestic and international, entry-level to collectible – and seeks to engage wine drinkers (and potential wine drinkers) with positive messages about wine. The campaign is executed by COME TOGETHER—A Community for Wine Inc, a company committed to creating and sharing positive, inclusive consumer information about moderate wine consumption and wine’s historic role as a communal beverage. The company was formed in May 2024 by three wine industry professionals who are donating their time and efforts to the company and its projects and events—wine journalist Karen MacNeil, and public relations and communications executives, Gino Colangelo and Kimberly Noelle Charles, DipWSET.

WineAmerica Proudly Sponsors 2025 Come Over October Congressional Wine Caucus Press Conference and Reception Second-Year Sponsorship Highlights American Wine Industry's Economic Impact and Community Building Mission Washington, D.C. – September 3, 2025 – WineAmerica, the National Association of American Wineries, announced today its proud sponsorship of the 2025 Come Over October Congressional Wine Caucus press conference and reception, taking place on October 8th in Washington, D.C. This marks the second consecutive year WineAmerica has supported this important invitation-only industry event, demonstrating the organization's continued commitment to fostering bipartisan support for America's burgeoning wine industry. The reception will showcase wines from across many states, celebrating the breadth, diversity and quality of American wine production from coast to coast. This comprehensive representation underscores the truly national scope of the American wine industry, which now includes 10,637 wine producers operating in every state. Economic Powerhouse Supporting American Communities WineAmerica's sponsorship comes as new data from the organization's 2025 Economic Impact Study reveals the extraordinary contribution of the wine industry to the American economy. The American wine industry generates close to $323.55 billion in total economic activity, supporting 1.75 million jobs nationwide with an average annual wage of $58,400 in wages and benefits. The study highlights several key economic drivers: Job Creation: The wine industry provides good jobs, paying an average of $58,400 in annual wages and benefits. The total wages generated by direct, indirect, and induced economic activity driven by the wine industry are $102.14 billion. Tourism Impact: America's "wine country" regions will generate 74 million tourist visits and $14.13 billion in annual tourism expenditures, benefiting local economies and tax bases. Tax Revenue: The industry generates over $53.24 billion in federal, state, and local taxes ($46.04 billion in business taxes plus $7.20 billion in consumption taxes), providing crucial funding for public services and infrastructure. Agricultural Preservation: The industry maintains 763,080 acres of vineyards, preserving agricultural land and supporting sustainable farming practices. Early and Committed Advocacy Partner WineAmerica has been an avid and early supporter of the Come Over October campaign since its inception. The organization recognizes the campaign's vital role in building authentic connections within the wine community and promoting the social and cultural significance of wine in American life.  WineAmerica President Jim Trezise shared, "Come Over October" is a perfect example of why the wine community is so special---people working together to advance the common good. In a challenging time for the wine industry, three top wine communication professionals pooled their creativity and volunteered their time to elevate the magic of wine on an international scale. We at WineAmerica were honored to play a supporting role by amplifying the message and hosting the Congressional wine reception toasting this collaborative spirit. Many thanks to Karen MacNeil, Kimberly Noelle Charles, and Gino Colangelo for bringing us all together. Cheers! The Come Over October campaign has achieved remarkable success, with the 2024 inaugural initiative reaching an estimated 1.7 billion unique visitor impressions and engaging over 10 million people through diverse channels nationwide. Industry Leadership Perspectives The collaboration between WineAmerica and Come Over October represents a shared commitment to advancing American wine culture through authentic community building and advocacy.  Come Over October's co-founding team share their thoughts here: “The American wine industry is based on a value system of generosity, connection, and respect for Nature. Wine is the ultimate authentic beverage--a beverage that throughout history has inspired people to come together, creating new friendships and deepening old ones,” said Karen MacNeil, author of The Wine Bible, and co-founder of Come Over October.  "We are deeply grateful for the ongoing partnership with WineAmerica, who was among the first to put up their hand in support of the concept when we launched Come Over October in the spring of 2024.   Their modus operandi is to collaborate, uplift and amplify which is what our beloved wine industry needs most and what our spirit represents with the campaign."  Kimberly Noelle Charles, President of Charles Communications Associates and co-founder of Come Over October. "Support from WineAmerica has been invaluable in helping us reach millions of Americans with positive messages about wine,’ said Gino Colangelo, president of Colangelo & Partners (www.colangelopr.com) and co-founder of the Come Over October campaign.  ‘We share a common mission: To promote wine culture in the US, thereby supporting American wineries and encouraging moderate consumption of this most special beverage." Continued Industry Support Come Over October 2025 extends gratitude to its sponsors, whose support has been essential to the campaigns' success. In addition to the sponsorship at the Benefactor level of this reception by WineAmerica, Foundational sponsors include: Freixenet Mionetto, J.Lohr Vineyards & Wines, Jackson Family Wines and Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits. Benefactors include CMB Family of Wines, Constellation Brands, Joseph Phelps Vineyards, The Wine Group, Total Wine & More, and wine.com. Other financial sponsors include Boisset Collection, Crimson Wine Group, Far Niente Wine Estates, Napa Valley Vintners, Peju Napa Valley, Ponzi Vineyards, Rodney Strong, and Wilson Daniels. Media sponsors include: The Wine Enthusiast, Wine Spectator, Tasting Panel, Somm Journal, Wine Business Monthly, VinePair, The Vintner Project, and Wine Industry Network. For more information on how to become a supporter or advocate visit www.cometogetherforwine.com/support-the-movement/ To inquire further about the reception, contact info@comeoveroctober.com About WineAmerica WineAmerica, the National Association of American Wineries, is the voice of America's wine industry. Founded in 1978, WineAmerica represents wineries in all 50 states on legislative and regulatory issues at the federal level. The organization works to advance the business environment for American wineries through advocacy, education, and promotion of the economic and cultural contributions of the wine industry to American society. About Come Together - A Community for Wine COME TOGETHER -- A Community for Wine is a dynamic community for wine enthusiasts dedicated to fostering connections, education, and appreciation within the wine world. Through innovative campaigns and community-driven initiatives, the organization brings together industry professionals, passionate consumers, and wine lovers of all backgrounds to celebrate wine's unique ability to create meaningful human connections. Founded by noted wine writer and author Karen MacNeil, along with leading wine industry marketers Gino Colangelo of Colangelo & Partners and Kimberly Noelle Charles, DipWSET of Charles Communications Associates, the mission-driven company shares the story of wine's historic and contemporary role as a beverage that uniquely brings people together. Media Contacts: WineAmerica: Jim Trezise, President WineAmerica jimtrezise@wineamerica.org Come Over October: Kimberly Noelle Charles, DipWSET kcharles@charlescomm.com 415-701-WINE (9463) Gino Colangelo gcolangelo@colangelopr.com 646-403-0146 For more information about Come Over October, visit www.comeoveroctober.com.

  ‘COME TOGETHER -- A Community for Wine’ Announces Second Annual "Come Over October" Campaign Building on Record-Breaking 2024 Success, Initiative Prepares to Expand Wine Community Connections Nationwide – and Internationally St. Helena, CA July 24, 2025 – COME TOGETHER -- A Community for Wine today announced that planning is underway for its highly anticipated second annual "Come Over October" campaign, building on the extraordinary success of 2024's inaugural initiative. The community-driven wine platform continues to demonstrate the power of authentic connection through wine appreciation, preparing to expand its reach and impact even further this fall. 2024 Campaign Achieves Unprecedented Success The inaugural Come Over October campaign delivered remarkable results across all metrics, reaching an estimated 1.7 billion unique visitor impressions (UVMs) and engaging over 10 million people through diverse channels. The campaign generated significant momentum with 4 million social media impressions through patron and friend networks, reached 1 million consumers through in-store traffic across 900+ retail locations including Total Wine and Kroger, and achieved 3 million advertising impressions through features in Wine Enthusiast, Tasting Panel Magazine, SOMM Journal, VinePair, Wine Folly, and other leading publications. Spring Success Builds Momentum for Fall Following the success of Come Over October 2024, COME TOGETHER's 2025 Share & Pair Sundays spring campaign achieved additional milestones, generating over 122 million unique visitor impressions from 300+ media articles, reaching 4.5 million consumers through in-store activations across 500+ retail locations in 43 designated market areas, and creating 89,000+ social media impressions. Ten Ways to Come Over October The 2025 campaign will feature ten curated suggestions for bringing people together through wine, including: Game Day gatherings with wine and snacks Best Friend nights centered around cooking dinner together Neighborhood Potlucks that build community connections, Leaves Changing Color celebrations with white, red and rosé tastings after autumn walks At-home wine tasting parties for old and new friends Wine Book Club gatherings that combine reading with regional wine exploration Renewed Sunday Supper traditions End of October costume parties featuring bewitching wines TGIF Wine and Cheese gatherings after work Love Your Local Winery visits to support the wineries in all 50 states. Alecia Moore (stage name Pink) highlights Wine's Human Connection The campaign will feature a video from a recent exclusive interview with winemaker Alecia Moore, (stage name Pink), who eloquently articulates wine's power to foster meaningful human connection. "When you open a bottle of wine, you open a conversation," Moore shared. "You get to learn where someone is from, what their favorite childhood memories might be, what their favorite scent is and why, when they had their first heartbreak. We bond over these stories." Moore's perspective resonates particularly strongly in today's increasingly digital world: "The more and more that we disconnect through devices and tuning out, the more we will see that our souls will be hungry for connection." She emphasizes wine's unique role in fostering authentic relationships, noting that "Wine is a very human experience. We need to inject more humanity back in the world." See Alecia's recent interview with Karen MacNeil here. Industry Leaders Champion Community Connection The campaign's founders continue to champion the initiative's core mission of building authentic wine communities. "The inspiration for these campaigns comes from a simple but powerful belief: wine is meant to bring people together," said Karen MacNeil, acclaimed wine author and co-founder of COME TOGETHER. "When we create spaces for authentic connection around wine, we're not just sharing bottles – we're connecting communities, cultures, and perspectives. That's the true spirit driving everything we do." Gino Colangelo of Colangelo & Partners emphasized the broad industry support driving the initiative's success: "The level of industry support we've witnessed has been truly remarkable. From small family wineries to major industry players, everyone understands that fostering genuine community with wine drinkers benefits us all. This isn't just about marketing; it's about strengthening the entire wine ecosystem through community-building and authentic connections." Kimberly Noelle Charles, DipWSET of Charles Communications Associates, highlighted the campaign's unprecedented reach and resonance: "What we're seeing is unprecedented reach and resonance across all segments of the wine world. We're narrowing the gap between industry insiders and passionate consumers in ways that create lasting value for everyone involved. The response from trade professionals has been overwhelming, but equally exciting is how these initiatives are connecting with everyday wine enthusiasts through everything from intimate winery experiences to major retail activations." Fall Plans The Come Together team is planning on hosting press conferences this fall in New York City and Washington DC.   In a nod to the international reach of this movement, this year, the country of Canada, through  Wine Growers Canada, will be executing a countrywide Come Over October program.   Continued Industry Support Come Over October 2025 extends gratitude to its sponsors, whose support has been essential to the campaigns' success. Foundational sponsors include: Freixenet Mionetto, J.Lohr Vineyards & Wines, Jackson Family Wines and Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits. Benefactors include CMB Family of Wines, Constellation Brands, Joseph Phelps Vineyards, The Wine Group and Total Wine & More and wine.com. Sponsors include Boisset Collection, Crimson Wine Group, Far Niente Wine Estates, Napa Valley Vintners, Peju Napa Valley, Ponzi Vineyards, Rodney Strong, Wilson Daniels and WineAmerica. Media sponsors include: The Wine Enthusiast, Wine Spectator, Tasting Panel, Somm Journal, Wine Business Monthly, VinePair, The Vintner Project, and Wine Industry Network.  For more information on how to become a supporter or advocate visit www.cometogetherforwine.com/support-the-movement/. About COME TOGETHER -- A Community for Wine COME TOGETHER -- A Community for Wine is a dynamic community for wine enthusiasts dedicated to fostering connections, education, and appreciation within the wine world. Through innovative campaigns and community-driven initiatives, the organization brings together industry professionals, passionate consumers, and wine lovers of all backgrounds to celebrate wine's unique ability to create meaningful human connections. Founded by noted wine writer and author Karen MacNeil, along with leading wine industry marketers Gino Colangelo of Colangelo & Partners and Kimberly Noelle Charles, DipWSET of Charles Communications Associates, the mission-driven company shares the story of wine's historic and contemporary role as a beverage that uniquely brings people together. For more information about Come Over October, visit www.comeoveroctober.com. Media Contact: Gino Colangelo gcolangelo@colangelopr.com 646-403-0146 Kimberly Noelle Charles, DipWSET kcharles@charlescomm.com 415-701-WINE (9463)