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Impress Your Guests with a Sophisticated Sommelier 

All About The Grapes is the Perfect Host for your Next Summer Gathering.

Article by Joanna Tannenbaum

Photography by Nia Negrette Photography and Steven Casupanan

Originally published in Short Pump City Lifestyle

Summer is here, and it is the best time of the year to get together with friends and family! From Memorial Day to Labor Day, the warm weather, outdoor parties, boating adventures, and cook-outs are aplenty. While casual conversation and games occupy guests on such occasions, there is a fresher, more enlightening way to bond with your friends and family - a private wine tasting with Jana Powell, the fun, friendly local wine steward. Creator and owner of All About The Grapes, Jana, has the entertainment covered for your next summer event.

Jana provides a private wine-tasting experience like no other. With a personality as bright as the sun, expert wine knowledge, and carefully crafted charcuterie boards, Jana will undoubtedly elevate your next event while leaving a favorable impression on your guests. Short Pump City Lifestyle caught up with Samantha Glass, an All About The Grapes client, to hear more about her private wine-tasting experience with Jana.

JOANNA: HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT ALL ABOUT THE GRAPES?

SAMANTHA: I met Jana Powell at the Cooper's Hawk wine bar when my husband and I attended a wine tasting and did a monthly club member pick-up. We started chatting with Jana, and she explained how she was studying wines and turned her passion and knowledge into a business named All About The Grapes.

JOANNA: WHAT MADE YOU CHOOSE ALL ABOUT THE GRAPES FOR YOUR EVENT OVER SIMILAR BUSINESSES?

SAMANTHA: I was impressed and intrigued with the concept of All About The Grapes and what the experience offered. I was unaware of businesses like Jana's, and after we met, I knew I wanted her to host an event for my birthday. So, my husband contacted her soon after, and the results were excellent!

JOANNA: WHERE DID YOU HOLD YOUR BIRTHDAY EVENT?SAMANTHA: My husband’s office had an open space for gatherings with a kitchen area; we figured it would be a great place to entertain. 

JOANNA: HOW DID ALL ABOUT THE GRAPES MEET YOUR EXPECTATIONS FOR YOUR EVENT?

SAMANTHA:  Jana wowed us with her understanding of wines. Since we chose Chardonnay for our event, she customized the wine selections to our preference of unoaked versus oaked. Additionally, she created fantastic charcuterie boards to accompany the wines; she interacted with everyone in the group and ensured everyone was involved in the experience.

JOANNA: WHAT DID YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH JANA?

SAMANTHA: I enjoyed Jana's vibrant personality, her extensive wine knowledge, and her ability to create the event based on our needs, space, and attendees. There was plenty of time for sampling, noshing, and being with friends—no one felt rushed, and all questions were encouraged and answered.

JOANNA: HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH THE ALL ABOUT THE GRAPES TEAM IN YOUR HUSBAND’S OFFICE?

SAMANTHA: Having this event in a private space at my husband’s office gave it a more intimate feel rather than being in a portion of a restaurant or venue. It felt very chic and luxurious yet comfortably cool all at once. Jana was attentive and took extra care of the office space, making sure everything was cleaned and returned to its proper place.

JOANNA: WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT THE PRIVATE WINE TASTING?

SAMANTHA: My favorite parts of the wine tasting were hearing what my friends noted when tasting each wine, seeing how the flavors changed when we paired a sip with a different type of food, and encountering the big reveal at the end. Because all the wines are tasted blindly, we experienced each flavor without being influenced by name, label, or price.

JOANNA: WHAT WOULD YOU TELL YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY ABOUT ALL ABOUT THE GRAPES?

SAMANTHA: I have and will continue to tell my family, friends, and coworkers that All About The Grapes is the perfect choice to boost your celebrations, from families marking milestones to small businesses honoring their clients.

JOANNA: HOW DID THE PRIVATE WINE TASTING WITH JANA ELEVATE YOUR EVENT?

SAMANTHA: The private tasting elevated the event because it was THE event! My birthday was a secondary reason to partake in this new adventure.

Make a splash at your next summer event (or any event) with a private wine-tasting experience with Jana Powell at allaboutthegrapes.com.

"Jana is an energetic, knowledgeable, and friendly host who will bring a special touch to whatever event you desire. I wholeheartedly recommend All About The Grapes for any special occasion." - Samantha Glass