Why this,
Why Now?
Created by wine journalist Karen MacNeil—and public relations and communications veterans Gino Colangelo and Kimberly Noelle Charles DipWSET—Come Over October (a campaign under the trio’s mission-driven company, Come Together— A Community for Wine Inc.) encourages friends, family, and colleagues to “come over” during the month of October. Focusing on sharing wine, celebrate friendship and in-person connection.
Wine Challenges
Over time, the wine industry in the United States has experienced ebbs and flows and has met numerous societal and generational challenges. But the industry has taken those challenges in stride, as wine has often been the preferred beverage when people gather. To wit, recently, a restaurant in the most wine-centric town of Italy, Verona, called Il Condominio, offered its clientele a free bottle of wine if customers agreed to relinquish their phones for the period of a meal. This is so that they might get back to the art of conversation at the table.
This is what Come Over October advocates over all things–a chance to stop, share stories, be together, celebrate an event or occasion—ostensibly, a chance to reconnect in a world moving fast and furiously.
Meet The Team
Karen MacNeil
SPEAKER, CONSULTANT, AUTHOR OF THE WINE BIBLE
Karen MacNeil has won numerous prestigious awards including the James Beard award for Wine and Spirits Professional of the Year, the Louis Roederer award for Best Consumer Wine Writing, the International Wine and Spirits award as the Global Wine Communicator of the Year, and the Wine Appreciation Guild’s Wine Literary Award. In a full-page profile on her, TIME Magazine called Karen “America’s Missionary of the Vine.” Karen has been named one of the “100 Most Influential People in Wine in the United States.” She is the author of the award-winning book, THE WINE BIBLE which has sold more than a million copies and was featured in the Netflix series Uncorked and the Starz series Sweet Bitter.
Karen is the creator and editor of the digital newsletter WineSpeed and the Substack newsletter Wine Bible-ing. She is Chairman Emerita and founder of the Culinary Institute of America’s Professional Wine Studies Program and teaches wine as an adjunct instructor at Stanford University. Karen wrote and hosted the 13-part PBS television series, Wine, Food, and Friends with Karen MacNeil. Karen conducts private wine tastings for companies and individuals around the world.
Gino Colangelo
PRESIDENT, COLANGELO & PARTNERS
Gino founded Colangelo & Partners in 2006 after spending more than 10 years in global communications with Dentsu Inc. and 10 years running his own retail business, a unique experience in the agency world. Colangelo & Partners is now the leading wine communications agency in the US, with a prestigious domestic client list, as well as an A+ international client roster. This is all supported by a diverse and talented team of communications professionals representing 16 countries from around the world. Colangelo & Partners offers four core services: Press Relations, Digital Marketing (Social Media, Influencer Marketing and Media Planning), Event Marketing and Trade Relations. Gino is very proud of the Colangelo & Partners team, the growth of individual employees, and the partnerships the agency has built with our prestigious global family of clients.
Kimberly Noelle Charles, Dipwset
PRESIDENT & FOUNDER, CHARLES COMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATES SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
Kimberly Charles’ name is synonymous with wine marketing at its best level. Over her 40 year career she has, through her creative marketing strategies, versatility and natural story-telling gifts, helped brands attain a level of distinction and draw in the marketplace. Her firm, Charles Communications Associates celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2023 and specializes in strategic branding, and corporate social responsibility with a focus on women in leadership. Kimberly holds the Diploma of Wine Spirits from the WSET. A passionate supporter of good causes, she serves on the board of the Glancy Wine Education Foundation, most recently the San Francisco chapter of Les Dames Escoffier and formerly the board of Dress for Success San Francisco and the Society of Wine Educators. She is an omnivore of history and culture and a passionate yogi. Follow her firm on Instagram @AlltheSwirl
We all know that good company, good conversation, laughter, and conviviality contribute to an enhanced lifestyle. We want to encourage people to put down their devices and share in each other's company.
Karen MacNeil