Twenty-twenty has proven to be a year of immense challenge, but more importantly, a year that has shown us the importance of community. In late March, when the governor of Ohio announced that all bars and restaurants would close and that a stay-at-home-order would go into effect, 750ml Wine Boutique and Wine Bar's owner, Lauren Carpeta, knew she wanted to find a way to stay connected to her customers during. In a conversation with Ohio’s only Master Sommelier, and friend of 750ml, Larry O’Brien, they discussed the idea of hosting Virtual Wine Tastings. The idea quickly blossomed and on Friday, April 3, 750ml hosted Larry O’Brien for their first Virtual Wine Tasting.
From there, the Virtual Wine Tastings took off, and soon were being held every Friday at 6 p.m. to a group of 30-40 couples. The tastings remained weekly until the end of May, when 750ml changed their occurrence to once or twice a month. Today, they are held two or three times a month, with two currently planned for the month of December.
"If you love wines and the ability to join your friends from the comfort of your kitchen or living room, you’ll love the virtual option," says Larry. "The diversity of events is limited only by the imagination of the presenter."
Lynsey Curren, 750ml's general manager, explains that the Virtual Wine Tastings even have themes. Some of the past themes have been Napa Cabernet vs. Sonoma Cabernet, Pinot Palozza, Rose All Day and National Red Wine Day.
Although 750ml's two locations in Akron in Brecksville have reopened, the Virtual Wine Tastings have remained extremely popular. But in addition to the virtual tastings, 750ml offers a vast retail wine selection, in-store wine events and even a wine club membership. When they were allowed to reopen, they also introduced curbside pickup as well as carry out of their delicious food and beverage menu that includes a selection of red, white and sparkling wines as well as rustic flatbreads, small plates, paninis, desserts and more.
For more information about 750 ml, visit 750mlWines.com. Two of their upcoming Virtual Wine Tastings will be on Dec. 4 and Dec, the latter of which will be 750ml's year-end wrap-up, celebrating new friendships that have formed throughout the year. Information about these upcoming tastings can be found on 750 ml's Facebook page at Facebook.com/750mlwines.
