‘COME TOGETHER -- A Community for Wine’ Concludes Successful ‘Share & Pair Sundays’ Spring Campaign: Announces Second Annual "Come Over October" Initiative Community-driven wine platform builds consumer global awareness and industry support  St. Helena, CA June 4, 2025– COME TOGETHER -- A Community for Wine, a mission-driven company focused on wine advocacy, today announced the successful conclusion of its inaugural Share & Pair Sundays spring campaign while announcing plans for its highly anticipated second annual "Come Over October" campaign this fall. Through both initiatives, the organization, founded by three wine industry leaders, has demonstrated  the power of community-driven advocacy to reach consumers with positive messages about wine. Spring Success Sets Stage for Fall Growth The Share & Pair Sundays campaign achieved remarkable success throughout the spring season, 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. The campaign brought together wine lovers nationwide, creating meaningful connections and shared experiences around wine appreciation through diverse activations ranging from winery events to retail partnerships. Building on this momentum, COME TOGETHER -- A Community for Wine is preparing to launch its second annual Come Over October campaign, which promises to expand the community's reach and impact even further. "The inspiration for these campaigns comes from a simple but powerful belief: wine is meant to bring people together," said Karen MacNeil, reflecting on the campaign's origins. "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." Industry Support Fuels Community Growth The campaigns have garnered significant support from across the wine industry, with sponsors and partners recognizing the value of community-centered initiatives. Notable participants included premier wineries such as Far Niente, PEJU Winery, and J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, retail partners such as Gary's Wine & Marketplace and Kroger through Constellation Brands, and regional wine organizations including Paso Robles Wine Country and Texas Fine Wine among many others. This broad coalition has been instrumental in the organization's ability to raise awareness on a global scale. "The level of industry support we've witnessed has been truly remarkable," noted Gino Colangelo, speaking to the broad coalition backing the initiatives. "From small family wineries to major industry players, everyone understands that fostering genuine wine communities with wine drinkers benefits us all. This isn't just about marketing; it's about strengthening the entire wine ecosystem through community and authentic connections." Demonstrated Success Across Multiple Channels The Share & Pair Sundays campaign's success was evident across diverse activation channels. Wineries like Peju Vineyards created dynamic 10-week culinary experiences featuring global flavors, while Far Niente Wine Estates aligned the campaign with their signature "Il Dolce Far Niente" philosophy. Retail partners achieved significant results, with Constellation Brands and Kroger delivering over 4.4 million impressions and receiving nearly $12,000 in bonus media value. Regional wine organizations including Paso Robles Wine Country and Texas Fine Wine amplified the message through podcasts and social media, while cultural collaborations with nationally notable figures such as Italian chef and PBS personality, Lidia Bastianich brought additional depth and authenticity to the campaign. "What we're seeing is unprecedented reach and resonance across all segments of the wine world," explained Kimberly Charles, highlighting the campaigns' broad appeal. "From over 122 million media impressions to 4.5 million in-store consumer touchpoints, 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 Include High-Profile Events COME TOGETHER -- A Community for Wine, has ambitious plans for the fall season, including a second Congressional Wine Caucus tasting, building on the success of previous legislative engagement efforts. The organization will also host press conferences in both New York City and Washington, D.C., to highlight the growing influence of community-driven wine advocacy. These events underscore the organization's commitment to elevating wine's role in cultural and policy discussions while maintaining its grassroots community focus. Sponsor Recognition and Support Come Together extends gratitude to its 2025 sponsors, whose support has been essential to the campaigns' success. Foundational sponsors included: Freixenet Mionetto, J.Lohr Vineyards & Wines, Jackson Family Wines and Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits.   Benefactors included: Constellation Brands, Joseph Phelps Vineyards, The Wine Group and Total Wine & More.   Sponsors included: Crimson Wine Group, Far Niente Wine Estates, the Napa Valley Vintners, Peju Napa Valley and Ponzi Vineyards.   Media sponsors included: The Wine Enthusiast, Tasting Panel, Somm Journal, Wine Business Monthly, VinePair and Wine Industry Network.  A complete listing of supporters can be found here.    For more information on continued support, please visit here. The combination of financial support and industry partnerships has enabled the organization to pursue its mission of building meaningful wine communities while raising significant awareness among consumers for wine culture and appreciation. 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: For further information please contact either Gino Colangelo gcolangelo@colangelopr.com 646-403-0146 or Kimberly Noelle Charles kcharles@charlescomm.com 415-701-WINE [9463]  

COME TOGETHER A Community for Wine Inc. Launches ‘Share & Pair Sundays’ Campaign Spring Campaign Celebrates the Union of Wine and Food, Building on Success of Come Over October St. Helena CA (February 2025) - Following the tremendous success of the inaugural ‘Come Over October’ campaign, which reached over 1.7 billion media impressions and garnered coverage in major outlets including Forbes, NPR, and The Washington Post, COME TOGETHER—A Community for Wine Inc. announces the launch of Share & Pair Sundays, a Spring-to-Summer campaign celebrating the delicious marriage of wine and food.  The new campaign also reinforces wine’s unique ability to bring people together, so successfully communicated in the Come Over October campaign. Running from March 23 through May 25, 2025, Share & Pair Sundays will encourage wine and food enthusiasts to gather weekly, fostering connections through shared culinary experiences. The campaign will span ten consecutive Sundays, beginning with the first Sunday of Spring. "The resounding success of Come Over October demonstrated the wine community's eagerness to create meaningful connections," says Karen MacNeil, co-founder of COME TOGETHER. "Share & Pair Sundays extends this mission by celebrating how wine and food bring people together across cultures and traditions." The campaign will feature creative activations across multiple channels: - Retail partnerships featuring in-store promotions and curated wine and food pairings - Restaurant and hotel collaborations offering special Sunday wine dinner promotions - Winery-hosted wine and food tastings - Digital content including food pairing suggestions in DTC wine shipments - Social media engagement featuring celebrity chefs, sports figures, and food influencers - A vigorous Instagram Live campaign hosted by Karen MacNeil A key focus of Share & Pair Sundays is broadening wine's appeal through its association with diverse cultural foodways. The campaign will actively engage Hispanic, Asian, and Black communities, encouraging the sharing of traditional dishes paired with various wines. The initiative has already garnered support from major industry players who recognize the importance of connecting wine with food culture. The campaign will be activated through multiple channels including print, digital, radio, and television media, with strong support from both the wine and hospitality industries. "The Come Over October campaign demonstrated the power of unified messaging, reaching over 4 million people through social media and establishing presence in close to 1,000 retail stores," notes Kimberly Noelle Charles, co-founder. "We're excited to build on this momentum with Share & Pair Sundays, which celebrates the universal language of food and wine while fostering meaningful connections." A dedicated website, ShareandPairSundays.com, has launched and will evolve as the campaign unfolds, featuring pairing suggestions from leading chefs and wine professionals, along with resources for both consumers and trade partners. The campaign has already received significant support from key industry players across various contribution tiers. Foundational Partners include Freixenet-Mionetto, Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits, J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, and Jackson Family Wines. Benefactors include The Wine Group, Ponzi Vineyards, Crimson Wine Group and Peju Napa Valley. Champions of the initiative include M.S. Walker and Gary's Wine & Marketplace, while Contributors include Tomorrow Cellars, Silicon Valley Bank, Dalla Terra, and Tor Napa Valley. The campaign continues to welcome participation from all segments of the wine and food industries, from importers and wholesalers to restaurants and gourmet shops, winery associations and artisan producers. Interested parties can contribute through financial support, in-kind contributions, or by helping amplify the campaign's message. For more information about Share & Pair Sundays or to get involved, please visit www.ShareandPairSundays.com or contact Project Manager Barbara Fitzgerald at  barbara@cometogetherforwine.com.  For media queries, please reach out to Kimberly Noelle Charles kcharles@charlescomm.com or Gino Colangelo gcolangelo@colangelopr.com. About COME TOGETHER—A Community for Wine Inc. COME TOGETHER—A Community for Wine Inc. is a mission-driven company established in 2024 by wine journalist Karen MacNeil and communications specialists Kimberly Noelle Charles and Gino Colangelo. The company creates campaigns celebrating wine's role in fostering community and connection.  To learn more, visit www.cometogetherforwine.com.

Inaugural Come Over October 2024 Campaign Gains Global Momentum Support from Benefactors Totals $100K and Counting National Toast with the Congressional Wine Caucus September 25th September 5, 2024 Napa Valley, CA - Four months into the launch of the Come Over October inaugural campaign which encourages friends, family and colleagues to "come over" during the month of October to share wine and celebrate connection, the co-founders share that the wine industry and other supporters have helped raised over $100,000 in funding.  Conceived by respected wine authority and author Karen MacNeil, together with wine industry communications professionals Gino Colangelo and Kimberly Noelle Charles, DipWSET,  all of whom are working in a pro bono capacity, the team created COME TOGETHER - A Community for Wine Inc., to create campaigns and take a strong position on the relevance and significance of wine, historically and contemporarily. Since its initial launch, the campaign has received financial and in-kind support from Total Wines & More, Jackson Family Wines, J.Lohr, Joseph Phelps, Lyft, VinePair, Wine Enthusiast, Somm Journal, The Tasting Panel, Napa Valley Vintners, Visit Napa Valley, Palm Bay International, Freixenet Mionetto, WineAmerica, Amici Cellars, Benchmark Wine Group, Dragonette, LXV, Silicon Valley Bank, Tomorrow Cellars, TOR Napa Valley, Willamette Valley Wineries Association, Wines of Sicilia DOC, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, Realm Cellars, Walla Walla Valley Wine, and Folio Fine Wine Partners.  More partners are joining daily, and the campaign has over 40 "Friends" who have either offered in kind services or joined as grassroots advocates.   As of this writing the campaign is global, resonating with other major wine regions around the world who see the value in the mission and the message.  Current supporters include Wines of Chile, Wines of Australia, the Champagne Bureau, New Zealand Wine and Wines of South Africa.    Publishers including the Wine Enthusiast, SommJournal, Tasting Panel, VinePair and Wine Folly who have offered $50,000 in donated advertising value, both print and digital. MacNeil states, “We are living in trying times, and we all know that good company, good conversation, laughter, and conviviality contribute to an enhanced lifestyle.  We want to encourage people to put down their devices and share in each other's company. Historically and socially, wine has often played a role in facilitating conversation, nurturing new friendships, and deepening old ones.” Over time, the wine industry in the United States has experienced ebbs and flows and has met numerous societal and generational challenges. But the industry has taken those challenges in stride, as wine has often been the preferred beverage when people gather.  This is what Come Over October advocates--a chance to share stories, be together, celebrate an event or occasion--ostensibly, a chance to reconnect in a digital world.      Two press conferences have been held to date, one virtual and one in Napa Valley at Joseph Phelps Vineyards.  A press conference is slated for September 23rd in New York City at Corkbuzz, and September 25th in Washington DC in the Longworth Congressional Office Building including the Co-Chairs of the Congressional Wine Caucus, Representatives Mike Thompson (D-CA-4) and Dan Newhouse (R-WA-4). The conference will be followed by a wine reception for Members of Congress and invited guests featuring wine from all fifty states hosted by WineAmerica, the national association of American wineries. .  Wine lovers can also follow along on Instagram @comeoveroctober or by following #comeoveroctober. For the Trade For the trade, the Come Over October logo, messages and design assets can be used, free of charge, by wineries, wine companies of all types, wine retailers, restaurants and hotels, wine trade groups, and others who support the positive role moderate wine consumption plays in culture and lifestyle. These are downloadable and accessible on the website.  Ideas for promotion and amplification can be found on the website and here. About COME TOGETHER—A Community for Wine Inc COME TOGETHER—A Community for Wine Inc is a mission-driven 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, each of whom owns their own small business. COME TOGETHER will launch media, digital, and live events and campaigns focusing on wine’s unique and positive cultural role as a beverage that brings people together. The company’s first campaign—Come Over October—will debut October 2024. For more information about the Come Over October campaign and COME TOGETHER—A Community for Wine Inc, please visit https://www.cometogetherforwine.com/ or email Kimberly Noelle Charles at kcharles@charlescomm.com or Gino Colangelo at gcolangelo@colangelopr.com.