How our virtual group tastings work
Our virtual group tastings are built for people who want the social side of a cellar evening without having to travel to the same venue. We send out matched tasting boxes to each address, then host a live session where the group tastes through the wines or bubbly in a set order. It works well for friends in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban, Stellenbosch, Paarl and Somerset West, as well as remote teams and family groups spread across the country.
Each box is prepared to suit the session theme, whether that is a local wine introduction, a bubbly tasting, a food pairing evening or a beginner workshop. The point is simple: everyone opens the same line-up, follows the same pace, and can compare notes as the tasting unfolds. It keeps the experience lively, even if one person is in a flat in Umhlanga and another is in a townhouse in Franschhoek.
- Delivered tasting box with selected bottles or cans, depending on the format
- Tasting notes and a clear pour order for each participant
- Live hosted session with structured commentary and question time
- Optional food pairing suggestions for snacks, cheeses or canapes
What is included in each tasting box
Every virtual tasting box is put together with care so the group can start on time and without confusion. We keep the contents practical and easy to handle. Glassware is not included unless arranged separately, since many groups prefer to use their own glasses at home or in the office.
Typical inclusions are chosen to suit the number of participants and the style of tasting. For a bubbly evening we may include a mix of sparkling styles, while a wine session might move through white, rosé and red. Where suitable, we can also include small pairing items such as savoury crackers or tasting cards, subject to delivery and packaging limits.
- 3 to 6 tasting pours per person, depending on the package
- Printed or digital tasting guide with aroma and palate notes
- Session outline with suggested serving temperatures
- Packaging designed for local courier transit and careful handling
- Custom label notes for private events, birthdays or corporate groups
For households near the coast, such as Durban or the southern Cape, we seal the boxes carefully to help protect contents from humidity during transit. In summer months we also plan dispatches with heat in mind, so the bottles arrive in good shape and ready for the session.
The booking process from enquiry to tasting night
Booking is straightforward. You send an enquiry through our contact form with your preferred date, number of guests, location spread and the style of tasting you want. From there we confirm the format, propose a box line-up and map out delivery timing so every participant receives their package before the session starts.
We usually work in four steps, which keeps the planning clear for both small groups and larger corporate bookings. If your group is in different suburbs or cities, we factor in separate delivery windows so no one is left waiting with a cold cooler bag and an empty glass.
- Step 1: Share your date, headcount and city list
- Step 2: Confirm theme, bottle mix and any food pairings
- Step 3: We dispatch the boxes and share the tasting instructions
- Step 4: We host the live session and guide the group through each pour
For teams, we can also include a short welcome segment, icebreaker questions and a closing recap. For private groups, we keep things relaxed and conversational, with enough structure to keep the tasting moving at a good pace.
Turnaround times and delivery planning
Turnaround depends on the size of the group and how far the boxes need to travel. For most virtual tastings, we ask for a lead time of 5 to 10 working days. That gives us enough time to confirm stock, prepare the boxes and arrange delivery across South Africa. If you are planning something for a fixed date in Franschhoek, Cape Town or Stellenbosch, earlier notice is always better, especially during peak event seasons and holiday weeks.
Local city deliveries can often move faster than outlying routes, but we still prefer a buffer so the group has time to refrigerate bubbly or settle wine at room temperature before the session. We recommend checking that all participants can receive parcels during business hours or have someone available to sign if required.
For corporate groups, the timing should also allow for office access, loading bay rules and any internal courier restrictions. We can advise on practical cut-off times and a delivery plan that suits your workplace, even if the team is split between Johannesburg and Cape Town.
Pricing approach for shared sessions
Our pricing is based on three main parts: the tasting box contents, the number of participants and the hosting time. Because every group is different, we quote per event rather than forcing everyone into the same package. A small friend group in Constantia will not need the same setup as a company reward session with 40 remote staff across Durban, Paarl and Somerset West.
We price transparently so you know what is included before you confirm. In general, the cost will reflect bottle selection, packaging, delivery zones and the length of the hosted session. Add-ons such as custom notes, branded inserts, food pairing items or a longer Q and A can be added if needed.
- Per-person pricing for private groups and family sessions
- Tiered options for corporate teams and larger guest lists
- Separate quote for delivery outside main metro routes
- Optional add-ons for food pairings, custom notes and extra pours
We aim to keep the structure fair and practical. If you want to stay within a set budget, we can suggest a simpler wine line-up or a shorter session time without making the evening feel thin.
Session upkeep, follow-up and repeat tastings
Once your virtual tasting is done, we do not leave you guessing about the next step. We keep a clean record of the session format, bottle list and guest count so repeat bookings are easier to plan. For clubs and companies that book more than once a year, this makes it simpler to rotate themes without starting from scratch each time.
As a general maintenance rhythm, we recommend reviewing your tasting plan every 3 months if you want regular sessions, and refreshing the theme at least twice a year if the group meets seasonally. That may mean moving from white wines in summer to richer reds or bubbly-led evenings later in the year. For teams that work remotely, this also helps keep attendance high because people know the format and can plan around it.
After the event, we can share a short recap with tasting notes and a few suggestions for the next round. Some groups like to build a quarterly calendar, while others book only for birthdays, year-end functions or staff appreciation. Either way, the records help us keep the service tidy and consistent, which matters when you are sending bottles to different towns and still want everyone on the same page.
When this format suits best
Virtual group tastings suit people who want connection without travel. They are a strong choice for remote teams, long-distance friend groups, wedding parties doing pre-celebrations, and families spread across the country. They also work well for first-time tasters who prefer a guided setting before attending a larger cellar evening in person.
This format is especially useful when schedules are tight or a mixed group cannot all get to one venue. Instead of trying to organise transport, parking and late-night lifts, everyone joins from home with the same box in front of them. That makes it easier to keep the evening relaxed, even if someone is joining from a flat in Sea Point, a home office in Midrand or a guest house in Franschhoek.
- Remote staff engagement sessions
- Friends and family living in different provinces
- Birthday and engagement celebrations at home
- Club catch-ups without venue hire
If you want a practical way to share a tasting across cities, this service gives you the structure, timing and flavour without making the event feel stiff. It is social, well paced and easy to repeat when the group wants another round.
Key facts
| Service area | Franschhoek, Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Johannesburg, Durban, Paarl, Somerset West, Constantia and nationwide delivery |
|---|---|
| Typical group size | 6 to 40 participants, with larger events quoted on request |
| Lead time | 5 to 10 working days, longer for larger groups or peak periods |
| Session length | 60 to 90 minutes, with extended formats available |
| Box contents | 3 to 6 tasting pours per person, guide notes, optional pairing items |
| Pricing method | Quoted per event based on guest count, selection, delivery and hosting time |
