13 Wine Themed Party Ideas To Delight Your Guests (2024)

Throwing a party that centers on wine is a super sophisticated (and fun!) themed event idea. But how do you even start planning such a gathering? Peerspace, the largest online marketplace for hourly venue rentals, is here to help. We’ll share our favorite wine-themed party ideas as well as a handful of curated event spaces we think would make the perfect setting for your grape-tastic event.

Whether you are an “oenophile” (someone who loves and appreciates fine wines) or you’re not one yet, we’re pretty sure you will be after reading this guide and throwing an amazing wine party like a pro. Keep reading – you’ll certainly benefit from these 13 wine-themed party ideas!

1. Have your party at a wine cellar

Peerspace, the largest online marketplace for hourly venue space rentals, has countless wine cellar venues available to rent that would work perfectly for your wine-themed party.

One of our favorites is this urban microwinery with a modern rustic atmosphere in Alexandria, VA. They craft their own wines on-site, with a tasting room ideal for your party. It’s an open floor-plan venue with rows of tables, wine cask decor, a wooden bar that, of course, provides its handmade wines as well as wine slushie, and has a BYO food policy.

According to a Peerspace reviewer who booked this winery for their party: “Loved the space! Accurate description of the space and very accommodating. Would definitely host an event here again. An added bonus, the wine is delicious! Highly recommend.”

2. Or have an outdoor party at a vineyard

Perhaps you’re planning on having your party outdoors. If weather permits, this is nearly always an excellent choice. Renting a party venue at a vineyard is one of our top wine-themed party ideas.

One lovely example is this country vineyard surrounded by blue skies and rolling mountains in Temecula, California. It includes not only “beautiful green vineyards” but also a Tuscan-style ranch home and a backyard with plenty of means of warming up after a day sipping your favorite vintages, like a hot tub, a fire pit, and an outdoor pizza oven. What’s better than fresh, hot-from-the-oven ‘za and wine? Nothing, if you ask us! There are also stunning views of the mountains, as the photos in the listing show.

3. Include an informative wine tasting as the central activity

This one is practically a necessity when it comes to wine-themed party ideas. Wine tastings have to be THE quintessential activity for this type of party. You can bring your guests to a location such as a winery that offers wine tasting, or you can hire a local sommelier (a wine-tasting expert) for a private wine tasting! What a fun, delicious, and even educational way to spend an afternoon or evening.

Here are the most chic wine-tasting party ideas to provide more party inspiration!

4. Ask every guest to bring their favorite bottle of wine (a “wine potluck,” if you will)

Wine-themed party ideas like this work especially well if many of your friends know a great deal about wine. But even if they don’t, having a “wine potluck” as part of your party will make things more fun. Everyone will have the opportunity to broaden their horizons by trying lots of new wines.

5. Don’t serve certain beverages before the wine-tasting

For their article on wine-tasting party ideas, Party Ideas by a Pro suggests that you “don’t serve any alcohol or soft drinks before the wine tasting begins” so that everyone can “start with a clean palate so as not to affect the taste of the wines.” This will be more of a priority if the wine tasting is the central activity at your party; if not, it might not be as important to you and worth the extra effort of planning.

6. Pair wines with appetizers at an informal wine-tasting

Another suggestion from Party Ideas by a Pro applies to more informal wine tastings where you’re not as concerned about guests being able to taste every nuance of the wine. In this case, they recommend that you “pair each wine with a different complimentary appetizer,” bringing out the best elements of both!

A similar but slightly different suggestion is for a dinner where you “integrate some of these wine tasting party ideas with the meal by tasting a different wine with each course.” Either way, what’s not to love about a combo of delicious food and wine?

7. How about hosting a blind tasting?

Another option for your wine-themed party is to have a blind wine tasting. It will present more of a challenge to you and your guests, but can also be a ton of fun.

Cellar Angels writes, “Blind-fold the bottles of wine instead by wrapping them with a cloth napkin so that the labels are hidden . . . Each guest gets to taste a small amount of the wine and then record their impressions and guesses on score cards or grids”. At the end, reward the winner with a fun prize like a bottle of wine of their own!

8. Plan a fun wine-themed picnic

Another option for a wine-themed party in the great outdoors is to go to a local park and have a picnic with snacks and wine. This idea can be simple, with blankets, a few bottles of wine, and some snacks, or you can get much more elaborate if you’d like to spend more time decorating and planning and want to invite more guests!

9. Serve a wine-themed cake

There are tons of wine-themed cakes you can make for your party. For instance, check out this wine bottle cake tutorial from Veena Azmanov, who explains how to make this edible work of art in great detail.

10. Enjoy global vintages with an international wine-tasting

Better Homes and Gardens offers us an incredible idea for a wine-tasting party. “Purchase one bottle each from France, New Zealand or Australia, South Africa, Argentina or Chile, and California or Oregon, then explore the differences”. Wines are strongly affected by where the grapes that make them are grown. Therefore, wines from different locations are going to taste extremely different!

If you’re in the Bay Area, consider booking Petite Auberge Salon in San Francisco’s Lower Nob Hill. It’s a French-inspired parlor and therefore adds the perfect European feel to your global wine-tasting event. Talk to the host about their catering services so you can have an amazing venue and tasty food and drink covered with one booking!

Getting hitched? Then our guide to throwing a winery wedding may be just what you’re looking for!

11. Play some party games

Wine tasting doesn’t have to be the only activity at your wine-themed party. There are plenty of party games you might also want to play. Here are 10 such games that’ll help make your party especially fun and festive.

12. Give out bottles of wine as party favors

To keep your party favors totally on theme, select your favorite bottle of (relatively affordable) wine. Then, give one bottle of it to each of your guests. They’ll be happy to have the souvenir of your fabulous party to take home. That way, they can recall the fun they had while sipping a delicious glass of wine.

13. Make wine bottle centerpieces for tables

If you are having guests sit at tables at your wine-themed party, you can decorate them with wine bottle centerpieces for some added flair. Here’s a list of 23 unique wine bottle centerpieces that are easy and affordable to make. They will also give your party a rustic-chic look.

Wine-themed party ideas: conclusion

A wine-themed party is such a wonderful way to spend time with your nearest and dearest. And now, after reading this guide, you have some great ideas to help you pull it off with style! Start by booking the perfect event space near you through Peerspace, whether it’s a wine business or just a cool and inspiring space that your guests will love. We’re certain you’ll end up with many amazing venues and guests begging for an encore!

Find unique party venues on Peerspace