Clubby ways to enjoy wine and build friendships through Meetup events.
Believe it or not, there are lots of people who enjoy tasting and drinking wine. And that is evident in the many wine-based Meetups in our area.
For those not familiar with Meetup, you can search online by topic for groups sharing any common interest, like “wine.” Once you’ve identified a group you’d like to join, most require you to fill out a brief online survey and submit a photograph. Your membership is subject to approval by the group organizer.
Once a member, you have access to the membership list and calendar of events. RSVP to events you’d like to attend and then simply show up. You don’t need to know anyone in the group because you’ll quickly make friends because of your common interests. Some groups require attendance and small membership fees to help offset the cost of managing a Meetup group; others host events where tickets are required. But most just ask you to RSVP so they can get a good head count.
The number of members indicates how many people have joined the group, but not how many will show up for each event. You can see how many people are signed up by event on each group’s calendar. Be aware of attendance limits and waiting lists for some events.
Ready to join? Let’s look at some of the ways you can gather with other wine enthusiasts through area Meetup groups and clubs.
Drink Wine and Make Friends in Northern Virginia
Centreville Area Happy Hour Group
You don’t have to live in Centreville to join this active group that holds weekly Friday night Happy Hours. Visits to wineries, breweries and distilleries are also on the calendar for various Saturdays and Sundays. 147 members. www.meetup.com/CentrevilleAreaHappyHourGroup
Wine Lovers in the DMV
Enjoy the fun of exploring new wines at beautiful wineries throughout the DMV area. This group explores a new (to the group) winery the 2nd Saturday of each month and occasional other wine events. 394 members. www.meetup.com/Wine-Lovers-In-The-DMV
Outdoor Vineyard Visits
This is group provides outdoor enjoyment with wine, good conversation, and a shared love of the grape. They host a medley of events from area vineyards to wine tastings locally in Fairfax, Clifton and Arlington. 1,156 members. www.meetup.com/outdoor-vineyard-visits
DMV Wine Explorers
Enjoy wine but learn more about it. This group is for all wine lovers, from the novice to the expert. The only requirement to join is a love of wine. Types of events include exploratory wine tastings to compare different or unique wine styles, blind tastings, visits to local restaurants and wineries, and general get-togethers to drink and talk wine. 1,138 members. www.meetup.com/dmv-wine-explorers/
Enjoy Activities
Loudoun County Women’s Wine and Books Meetup
If you have an interest in wine, especially Loudoun County wineries, and enjoy talking about a good book and hanging out with other women, this group might be for you! A relaxed and fun Meetup. 345 members. www.meetup.com/Loudoun-County-Womens-Wine-and-Books-Meetup
Arlington Stitch ‘n Bitch Knitting Group
For knitters and crocheters of all capabilities who are as interested in the process of talking and drinking wine, all while not dropping a stitch as they are in completing that one of a kind project. 220 members. www.meetup.com/arlington-stitch-n-bitch-knitting-group/
Washington, DC Wine Meetups
DC Wine Tasting Group
Fellow wine enthusiasts gather to learn about wine through wine events for every kind of taster, from beginners to experienced palates. Wine events include Super Tastings, and meetings with winemakers, wine importers and wine journalists. 8,672 members. www.meetup.com/The-DC-Wine-Tasting-Group
Blind Wine Tasting DC
This group focuses on improving your skills at guessing what a wine is without seeing the bottle. The more you do it, the better you get at identifying the distinctive qualities of various wines. 322 members. www.meetup.com/Blind-Wine-Tasting-DC
Classical Music Listening and Wine Appreciation
Meets at members’ homes to listen to a classical work while sampling wines; the work and the wine styles are preselected. Past meetups have featured CPE Bach’s Orchestral and Keyboard Works along with Dry Germ Whites, and Schumann’s Orchestral Works along with South African Reds. 202 members. www.meetup.com/Classical-Music-Listening-and-Wine-Appreciation
