Explore the world of Riesling in this 1.5-hour masterclass at the Capital Wine School on September 12, 2025, from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM. Often misunderstood, Riesling reflects its terroir and winemaking choices vividly, offering styles ranging from racy and dry to deeply concentrated sweet wines. Participants will taste examples from Germany, Alsace, Austria, the U.S., and beyond, gaining insight into how climate, soil, and sugar levels shape each wine.Wines to be Tasted Include:Dr Wagner Riesling Sekt Brut, GermanyRed Tail Ridge Riesling, Finger Lakes, NYDonnhoff Felsenberg GG Riesling, Nahe, GermanySpreitzer Jesuitengarten Spatlese Riesling, Rheingau, GermanyWeingut Keller Trocken Riesling ‘Limestone’, Rheinhessen, GermanyKarl Urbes Urziger Wurzgarten Spatlese Riesling, Mosel, GermanyJJ Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese Riesling, Mosel, GermanyPeter Lauer Riesling Fass 11 Schonfels GG, Mosel, GermanyAlzinger Loibenberg Smaragd, Wachau, AustriaPewsey Vale Riesling, Eden Valley, AustraliaJulien Schaal Rosacker Riesling GC, Alsace, FranceWeinbach Cuvee Theo Riesling, Alsace, FranceAttendance Options:In Person: Classes held at the Capital Wine School; building has stairs to second floor classrooms.Virtual via Zoom: Samples may be picked up at the school on September 12 or shipped for an additional fee (shipping not guaranteed by event date).Price: $95 per participant

The Capital Wine School offers an in-person WSET Level 1 Award in Wines course on Saturday, September 27, 2025. This one-day program provides six guided learning hours, including a 45-minute examination, and is designed for beginners and wine enthusiasts who wish to develop foundational knowledge of wine.Course Details:Price: $450 (includes printed study guide, wine tasting samples, class session, exam, and digital certificate/badge for passing students)Schedule: 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM (exact end time may vary; lunch break not included)Location Note: Building has no elevator; participants should be prepared to navigate stairs to classrooms on the third floor.Learning Content:Types of wine and common grape varietiesWine tasting techniques and descriptive terminologyWine service, storing, and serving guidelinesBasics of food and wine pairingTasting 8 wines during the classExam Information:30 multiple-choice questions45-minute durationRescheduling available per Capital Wine School policyAdditional Info:Students may request a WSET Level 1 eBook in advance for $25Lapel pins available for passing students ($10 shipping for mailed pins)Students are encouraged to bring their own lunch or visit nearby eateries 

The Capital Wine School, in partnership with Comité Champagne, presents a 2-day Champagne Specialist Course on September 27–28, 2025. Led by Jay Youmans MW and Claudia Chamberlain WSET Diploma, Advanced Sommelier CMS, this in-depth course offers wine enthusiasts and professionals an expert-level exploration of Champagne’s history, terroir, production methods, and diverse styles.Course Details:Price: $795 (includes 2 full-day in-person sessions, 14 wines for tasting, PDF study booklet, online course prep modules, and the final exam)Schedule: Saturday & Sunday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (lunch not included)Location Note: The building has no elevator; participants should be prepared to navigate stairs to second-floor classrooms.Course Structure:Pre-Course Preparation (7 hours):Complete Level 2 online training moduleRead Learner’s GuideIn-Class Learning (14 hours):Day 1: Champagne history, tasting techniques, terroir, production methods; workshops: Perfect Pairing, The Champagne Game; tasting: 6 ChampagnesDay 2: Recommending, serving, and storage techniques; workshops: The Cellar Master, The Wine Merchant; tasting: 6 Champagnes; final exam: 1 hr 45 minAssessment:Theory test: 30 multiple-choice + 2 short-answer questionsPractical test: Tasting 2 Champagnes, food-pairing, and sales presentationScoring: <54% fail, 55–69% pass, 70–79% good, 80%+ excellentLearning Objectives:Interpret Champagne labelsDescribe and assess Champagne winesServe and store Champagne under optimal conditionsRecommend Champagne for customers and food pairingsTarget Audience:Wine professionals, sommeliers, retailers, importers, tourism professionals, and students in related fieldsBenefits:Hands-on workshops, advisory expertise, and up-to-date content from Comité Champagne.

Raise a stein and join Zinnia for Oktoberfest in their gardens on Saturday, September 27th from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.! Guests will enjoy a festive day filled with traditional festbiers from local breweries, Bavarian-inspired food, live music, and games!Tickets include a commemorative stein to take home and beer samples for just $46.00. Non-drinkers and children do not require tickets. This is an all-ages event. Oktoberfest is rain-or-shine, festivities will move inside in case of inclement weather.Available for purchase during the festival will be a menu of Bavarian-inspired food from the Zinnia culinary team led by Executive Chef Danny Wells, including Smoked Chicken Legs, Sausages, Pretzels with beer cheese, Butter Braised Cabbage, and more.Get tickets HERE. 

Join Chang Chang in kicking off our newest monthly series: Sunday Banquet with Peter & Friends.To kick off this series, we welcome the woman who inspired Peter’s passion and career - his mother, Grandma Chang! On September 28th from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m., Chang Chang hosts Hubei Delicacies. This experience will include family style appetizers, entrees, and dessert at communal banquet tables of 8-10 people. The event costs $98.00 per person plus 20% gratuity and taxes. Tickets available HERE.

On October 15th, Charleston is honored to welcome Enriqur Tirado, CEO & Technical Director of Viña Don Melchor, together with Sebastián Lopez, Chilean Wine Ambassador, for a special evening of Chilean winemaking excellence. Guests will have the opportunity to taste Don Melchor's celebrated wines and hear directly from the visionaries behind them.This event begins at 6:30 p.m. and costs $350.00 per person. Call (410) 332-7373 to reserve a spot. More infornation can be found HERE. 

Marquee Development, in partnership with the James Beard Foundation, is thrilled to announce the return of the Stadium Chef Series at Nationals Park. Presented by Capital One and benefiting the James Beard Foundation, this exclusive event will take place in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, October 29th starting at 5:30 p.m.The 2025 Stadium Chef Series kicks off with an intimate evening under the lights at legendary Nationals Park. Led by Executive Chef Matthias Merges, the unforgettable dining experience will feature a lineup of celebrated local and national culinary talent, including many James Beard Award honorees. Guests will convene at center field and dine at a beautifully appointed communal table and enjoy five delicious courses, each presented by a different chef. The coursed menu will be created by Carlos Delgado of Causa, Kevin Tien of Moon Rabbit, Angel Barreto of Anju, and Rob Rubba of Oyster Oyster, with dessert by Isabel Coss of Pascual and Lutèce. Seats for the Stadium Chef Series at Nationals Park presented by Capital One are limited, with tickets starting at $450 per person. Tickets include a five-course dining experience, special gift, welcome cocktail, and complimentary parking. Get tickets HERE.

Celebrate the official opening of West Falls at Fall Into Fun, a community-wide autumn festival. From 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., The Commons will come alive with live music, seasonal flavors, community art, games, and a Sip & Stroll neighborhood crawl highlighting local businesses.Festival Highlights:Live music from The CollectiveApple cider, seasonal backdrops, and pumpkin-decorated photo opsInteractive community art, including oversized paint-by-number muralsGames & entertainment: pumpkin bowling, tic-tac-toe, cornhole, face painting, balloon art, and morePop-up bites & drinks from Dok Khao Thai Eatery, Honoo Ramen Bar, Jake’s Gourmet Popcorn, and Lillian Nathalie CakeCraft table hosted by Levine MusicDance-along performance by CityDanceSip & Stroll Crawl:Visit participating West Falls businesses such as CityDance, Honoo Ramen & Sushi Bar, Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls, Ice Cream Jubilee, Seoulspice, Perspire Sauna Studio, Casabella Salon, The Alder Apartments, and moreCollect stamps at each stop to enter the Grand Prize Giveaway: a candy-filled Yeti cooler and a West Falls toteDownload the West Falls app for a chance to win a $50 gift card to any West Falls businessThis free, family-friendly festival is the perfect way to welcome fall and explore the new West Falls neighborhood.

Oktoberfest at The Wharf returns on Saturday, October 4, 2025, bringing Bavarian traditions to DC’s waterfront. Guests are encouraged to don lederhosen or dirndls and bring their Dachshunds for a day filled with festive competitions, dancing, and seasonal brews. The Wharf’s restaurants and bars will serve Bavarian fare and Samuel Adams Oktoberfest Beer throughout the celebration.Event Highlights:Wiener 500 Dachshund DashTime: 2:00 – 5:00 PM | Where: District Pier | Cost: FreeOver 140 dachshunds race for glory in this fan-favorite event benefiting Rural Dog Rescue. Guests can watch the races live on District Pier or catch all the action on the Transit Pier jumbotron while enjoying seasonal beer.Stein-Hoisting ChampionshipTime: 4:00 – 4:30 PM | Where: District Pier | Cost: FreeWinners from stein-hoisting preliminaries at Wharf restaurants compete for the title of Oktoberfest Champion. Limited walk-up entries will be accepted during the Wiener 500.Polka on the PierTime: 5:00 – 7:00 PM | Where: Transit Pier | Cost: FreeEnd the evening with a lively polka dance lesson and authentic German music. A prize will be awarded to the Best Dressed Polka Dancer—no sign-up required, just show up ready to dance.Over the past 12 years, The Wharf has raised over $100,000 for animal welfare organizations through this event. Prost to another year of fun and community spirit!

YELLOW, the Levantine café from Chef Michael Rafidi, and DOLCEZZA are teaming up to debut the Pistachio di Bronte Soft Serve Sundae, a limited-time offering available from September 21 through October 5, 2025, at select YELLOW and DOLCEZZA locations.Created by YELLOW Executive Pastry Chef Alicia Wang and DOLCEZZA co-founder Robb Duncan, the sundae features Pistachio di Bronte soft serve topped with preserved lemon honey, crispy phyllo, and caramelized pistachio dust. The pistachios, often called “green gold,” are grown in Sicily on the slopes of Mount Etna and harvested only once every two years, making this treat especially rare. Each sundae will be priced at $12, available while supplies last.On Sunday, September 21, from 2–5 PM, Chef Wang and Duncan will personally serve the first sundaes at DOLCEZZA’s H Street location. The first 25 customers will receive a free DOLCEZZA organic hemp tote bag.Following the launch, the sundae will be available at:DOLCEZZA, H StreetDOLCEZZA, The HirshhornYELLOW, Union MarketYELLOW, Georgetown