Let’s admit it: the world is a lot right now. Loneliness is on the rise, the headlines rarely leave room for levity, and many of us are looking for something rooted, nostalgic, and real. Enter Come Over October, a national campaign with one refreshingly simple goal. Invite people into your orbit. Share wine. Create connections.

Togetherness is not measured by grandeur. It is measured by belonging, and in times like these, even a modest pour with friends feels like an upgrade to the soul. It does not need to be a Michelin-level spread or an Instagram-perfect tablescape. Sometimes the most authentic moments are the ones that require nothing more than a corkscrew, a bottle, and somebody who will laugh at the same stories you have already told twice. As fall settles in and the holidays draw near, a glass shared, a laugh exchanged, the warmth of presence itself… is often enough. These are not distractions but reminders of why heartfelt bonds endure. Making space for joy is not denial, but permission to feel whole and invite closeness in.

This is a month dedicated to connection, community, and celebration! Come Over October isn’t so much about trying to cram yet another fussy event in before the end of the season as it is a gentle reminder to ourselves about what wine is really for.

The Point of Wine in the First Place

Wine has always been more than fermented grapes. From ancient harvest rituals to Sunday suppers, it has been the language of culture, hospitality, and human connection. We toast to resilience, nurture strength through shared bottles, and find solidarity in sipping together. The impression wine leaves is rarely only about tannins or terroir. It is about the people across the table, the conversation, and the inclusive spaces we create when we pour for others.

The Come Over October campaign is about raising a glass to all things wine—from your everyday go-to bottles to the rare gems tucked in the back of the cellar. Its mission is simple: to engage both seasoned sippers and curious newbies with messages that celebrate wine’s power to connect, uplift, and bring people together.

Ten Ways to Make It Yours

The 2025 campaign offers ten inspired ways to gather over a glass, each designed to spark shared moments and celebrate the season.

  • 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

The common thread is not extravagance. The common thread is connection through wine.

Raise Your Glass

Let’s not overthink this. The heart of Come Over October is simple: invite family, friends, old and new, to share wine and enjoy each other’s company. The campaign reminds us that in the act of sharing a bottle, we are also sharing generosity, care, and the simple joy of being together.

Hosting does not have to be complicated or expensive. You don’t need a perfectly planned event or baller setup to make it meaningful. Sure, you could organize a blind tasting and curate every detail, but the impromptu gatherings matter just as much. Throw an intimate dinner for only your closest friends and family, or coax a friend over to binge that new show you’ve been secretly obsessed with. Rules? There are none. Maybe steer into the cozy season as it calls for blankets, snacks, and a bottle of your favorite wine, with conversation flowing over life’s little moments.

Music can even help set the tone for any gathering, letting conversations flow as smoothly as a well-aged Cabernet from a standout vintage. A mellow playlist can encourage easy dialogue, while something upbeat can keep energy drifting from the kitchen to the couch.

Choose connection over perfection, and savor the culture of togetherness that wine has nurtured for centuries. No one is keeping score. The point is simple: Come Over October is about showing up, sharing wine, and enjoying company. Elaborate plans are optional. What matters most is the unity, the laughter, and the shared moments that leave lasting impressions. There are no rules except for wine and camaraderie!

We also invite you to share your Come Over October moments through photos, stories, or even the recipes you paired with your favorite wines. If you need inspiration for what to bring to your get-together, subscribe to our newsletter and follow Shall We Wine across social media for tips, inspiration, and a touch of extra wine magic.

Wine without people is just a drink. Wine with people is connection, laughter, and hospitality in its purest, most authentic form. That is the essence of Come Over October.

_________

About Come Over October

Come Over October is a purpose-driven advocacy campaign celebrating all wine—domestic and international, from approachable favorites to prized collectibles. Its goal is to engage both current and potential wine enthusiasts with uplifting messages about wine and its role in bringing people together. The campaign is led by COME TOGETHER—A Community for Wine Inc, an organization devoted to sharing positive, inclusive information about moderate wine enjoyment and wine’s historic place as a communal beverage. Founded in May 2024 by wine journalist Karen MacNeil and communications experts Gino Colangelo and Kimberly Noelle Charles, DipWSET, the team donates their time and expertise to support the company’s events and initiatives.

Karen MacNeil, Kimberly Noelle Charles, and Gino Colangelo have earned a collective nomination for Wine Enthusiast’s prestigious Wine Star Award for ‘Person of the Year,’ recognized for their creation and launch of the Come Over October movement.

_________

Join the Shall We Wine EXP Membership, your backstage pass to the luxe life: curated tastings, wine getaways, insider perks, and digital resources designed for the culturally curious. We don’t just sip! We dive in, swirl with purpose, and raise a glass to flavor, culture, and the pursuit of the good life. This is about more than wine. It’s about connection. It’s about culture. It’s about time. Click here to learn more and register today!

Subscribe to our newsletter at shallwewine.com for exclusive updates, upcoming events, and a community that actually gets you. Plus, follow us @shallwewine and tag your delicious sips with #ShallWeWinePutUsOn