New Owner of Grape Escape Makes First Appearance at Chamber Wine Tasting

Kyle Johnson, My Tran of Grossberg Company, LLP

Guests enjoyed tastings of Grape Escape’s best wines, gourmet food and speciality fancy food samplings from area chefs and artisanal food makers at the Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce (GGCC) 16th Annual Wine Tasting.

The tasting was held on Wednesday, May 22 at the Kentlands Mansion in Gaithersburg. Over 100 area business leaders were in attendance.

The Chamber’s wine tasting affords business professionals the opportunity to meet, network and share ideas over wine. The wines are paired with small bites from nine Chamber Members and good conversation. It is a great opportunity to “WINE” down after work and allows guests to network & enjoy some great camaraderie with like-minded businesses. Our wine tasting is one of the best ways to meet ideal prospective clients & grow existing business relationships.

“The wine tasting is one of our more popular events. Not only is it great fun, it’s also a great opportunity to showcase the many great restaurants we have right in our own back yard,” said Marilyn Balcombe, GGCC President.

The event sponsors included: The City of Gaithersburg, Grape Escape, Asia Nina, Barking Mad Café, Caribbean Caterers, Corner Bakery RIO, Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, The Melting Pot Gaithersburg, Not Your Average Joe’s, Nothing Bundt Cakes, & Ted’s Montana Grill, and Special Event Sponsor’s Bargain Movers & Crown Trophy.

This year’s wine tasting featured a guided wine tasting tutorial of eight featured wines compliments of Diana Mejia, the new owner of Grape Escape in the Kentlands.

The wine was paired with food that including bison short ribs, lamb lollipops, sushi, grilled octopus, ahi tuna, gourmet flatbread, chocolate tortes, bruschetta and polenta from Asia Nine, Barking Mad Café, Caribbean Caterers, Corner Bakery, Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, Not Your Average Joe’s and Ted’s Montana Grill. Bundtinis from Nothing Bundt Cakes and fresh strawberries dipped in chocolate compliments of the Melting Pot Gaithersburg rounded out the menu.

DrinkMore Water provided bottle water and rinse stations.

The City of Gaithersburg donated the use of the Kentlands Mansion to the GGCC for the evening.

The GGCC is active in providing business-to-business networking opportunities throughout the year: a collective voice in local, regional, and state legislative affairs, professional development opportunities and other services that enhance the business environment.

About Laura Rowles

Laura authors the blog Your Success is Our Business on MyMCMedia. Laura is the Director of Events & Marketing for the Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce - a member-based organization of businesses that have joined together for the purpose of promoting the civic, commercial and industrial progress in our communities. The area's economic well-being is a result of the caliber of work that is done by the Chamber. The Chamber has a major impact on business, income and future growth of the area. My position at the Chamber - Director of Events & Marketing - affords me the opportunity to plan quality events for our Members and market the Chamber is a variety of avenues. At the GGCC, we typically have around 30 events each year including: breakfasts, lunches, after-five's, ribbon cuttings and special events. The consensus is we have high quality events with good energy. In 2012, we had over 2,040 people visit our events. Most our events are free to Members so securing sponsorships for all events. Additionally, I am responsible for planning networking, overseeing the budget and marketing of all events in order to make them successful. Lastly, I coordinate all marketing and communication efforts of the GGCC including weekly email blasts, its quarterly newsletter, all social media platforms, media relations and community outreach.

View all posts by Laura Rowles