To emphasize the unpretentious, fun nature of its brand, Papio Wines sent 50 young food, wine, and lifestyle editors to a house party in Brooklyn. Papio sent guests in cars to Williamsburg (the hipster mecca has a reputation for parties, after all) to the trilevel apartment of Toshi, a nightlife promoter.At the apartment, guests traded in their shoes for slippers embellished with the Papio monkey logo and headed upstairs to the party, where they didn't have to stray too far to pick up a glass of wine—Papio's pinot grigio, chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon, and merlot were available on all three levels of the apartment. In the kitchen, Justin Jones of Urban Events showed guests how to make simple and effective party foods, like a baked brie with apricot preserves and walnuts, and the portable "walking crudite," which consisted of a cut section of baguette partly hollowed out and filled with slivered vegetables and piped with dip.
Papio associate brand manager Sheila Mayfield worked with Kaplow Communications, which planned and produced the event. SoHo Experiential helped out by producing various elements, including the plethora of games on hand like video games, board games, and the tried-and-true party favorite Twister.
Furthering the carefree, mellow vibe, Jonathan Jacobs—who bills himself as the “Vintage DJ” —culled retro tunes from his collection of vinyl records. A station with two computers was set up nearby, so that guests could create their own CDs or pick up any of the four Papio Monkey Lounge compilations that Jacobs had created for the party (which included songs from Shirley Bassey, Mel Torme, Etta James, and other mood-appropriate performers).
And what's a party in Williamsburg without artists? Along with another wine bar, a cozy lounge area on the rooftop deck featured painter Margie Stokley, who created a large painting over the course of the night that combined animal patterns (a zebra pattern was stenciled on the canvas early on), musical motifs…and, of course, the Papio monkey. Guests came upstairs to check out the work from time to time, giving suggestions and commenting on different parts of the painting.
Papio not only showed its guests how to have a good time, but also pointed out its charitable side. The company's name is based upon the Latin word for baboon—hence the monkey that adorns its label—and Papio makes a donation to the African Wildlife Foundation with each bottle of wine it sells. Throughout the night, guests could pop in to one of the apartment's rooms and chat with a volunteer from the foundation.
—Mark Mavrigian
Posted 03.29.06
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Papio associate brand manager Sheila Mayfield worked with Kaplow Communications, which planned and produced the event. SoHo Experiential helped out by producing various elements, including the plethora of games on hand like video games, board games, and the tried-and-true party favorite Twister.
Furthering the carefree, mellow vibe, Jonathan Jacobs—who bills himself as the “Vintage DJ” —culled retro tunes from his collection of vinyl records. A station with two computers was set up nearby, so that guests could create their own CDs or pick up any of the four Papio Monkey Lounge compilations that Jacobs had created for the party (which included songs from Shirley Bassey, Mel Torme, Etta James, and other mood-appropriate performers).
And what's a party in Williamsburg without artists? Along with another wine bar, a cozy lounge area on the rooftop deck featured painter Margie Stokley, who created a large painting over the course of the night that combined animal patterns (a zebra pattern was stenciled on the canvas early on), musical motifs…and, of course, the Papio monkey. Guests came upstairs to check out the work from time to time, giving suggestions and commenting on different parts of the painting.
Papio not only showed its guests how to have a good time, but also pointed out its charitable side. The company's name is based upon the Latin word for baboon—hence the monkey that adorns its label—and Papio makes a donation to the African Wildlife Foundation with each bottle of wine it sells. Throughout the night, guests could pop in to one of the apartment's rooms and chat with a volunteer from the foundation.
—Mark Mavrigian
Posted 03.29.06
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At Papio Wines' House of Papio event, artist Margie Stokley created a painting that evolved over the course of the night—and worked in the company's iconic monkey.
Justin Jones of Urban Events showed the crowd how to make fun, simple party food.
Jonathan Jacobs—a k a the “Vintage DJ”—brought in a collection of mood-appropriate vintage records to give the party a retro feel.
With plenty of games on hand, including the big favorite, Twister, guests kept themselves entertained.
