Washington-based wine merchants Tom Natan and Dare Wenzler scour small villages in the Provence region of France, on the lookout for high-quality, limited-production wines, which they import and retail on their First Vine Web site, most for less than $20. To put additional focus on the region's wines, the duo started a service of private tastings geared toward office meetings and events. Two categories of programs are available: For groups of 10 to 25, First Vine offers a guided wine tasting that runs from 45 minutes to one-and-a-half hours in length, depending on the number of selections. The session starts with a discussion of the wines' origins and makers, followed by tips on sampling the wines.
Another larger group tasting is designed for 25 or more participants and features stations with wines grouped by color or producer. After a short introduction, tastings begin. For either type event, there is a flat fee of $150, as well as a per person charge, which is usually around $15, dependent on the quantity and prices of the wines selected. Stemware is included in the cost for groups of 80 or fewer.
