The Art of Celebration: Birthday Party Hosting Tips

A Toast! 

The secret to the perfect birthday toast? Make it uniquely yours. Everyone at the party knows the guest of honor, but you each have memories that are all your own. There’s no need to make a formal speech, just share something your friend said or did that had an impact on you. Whether they gave you a helpful new perspective that changed your path or just made you laugh, they’ll love knowing it mattered. Even better, ask everyone at the table to share one memory to add to your collective experience. 

Curating the Guest List 

If your guest of honor loves a crowd, the answer is simple, invite everyone. But if they prefer a more intimate approach choose a small, close-knit group that lets them devote time to each person at the party. You can also think of your guests like a wine pairing. Would your honoree enjoy a harmonious approach where all the guests are in sync? Or would they have more fun with a touch of the unexpected? If they’d enjoy a little contrast, invite your usual group to each bring someone new. Or invite your own surprises to the table. 

Eat, Drink, and Be Happy! 

Whether it’s your special day or you’re celebrating a friend, birthdays are the perfect moment to indulge. We’ve assembled a few of our favorite pairings to help you decide on your main – and your BV pour. 

Pure elegance: Seared duck breast with balsamic-blackberry sauce paired with Georges de Latour Private Reserve Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 

Decadent vegetarian: Caramelized carrot and feta tart paired with our Reserve Napa Valley Chardonnay 

Cozy casual: Beef bourguignon paired with our Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 

A taste of Sicily: Roasted chicken with olives, fennel, and lemons paired with Tapestry Reserve Napa Valley Red Wine 

Easy crowd-pleaser: Grilled tenderloin sliders with creamy blue cheese and black currant jam paired with Georges de Latour Private Reserve Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 

Ummmami: Mushroom and leek tart paired with our Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 

Tablescape to Create an Inviting Space 

Tablescapes aren’t just décor. They’re the stage where your celebration plays out. They also help set the mood and tempo, evolving as the evening progresses. 

Theme: What’s the right vibe? Be inspired by the person you’re celebrating. Remember, it’s their day, they should feel comfortable and seen.

Start at the bottom: Rustic or elegant? Minimalist or maximalist? Tablecloth, runner, placemats, or bare table? Layered colors, patterns, and textures or a neutral background? 

The heart of it all: Whether it’s a bowl of their favorite flowers or a conversation-starter, like a conch shell from a shared trip to St. Croix, your centerpiece should be big enough to add height and visual interest without blocking conversation. It can also change with the course, like swapping in candles to create a more intimate mood for dessert and leisurely conversation. 

Place settings: Simple or layered? The same set for each place or a colorful variety paired to each person? Different settings to match different courses? 

Accessories: The little things are your opportunity to elevate and add interest, whether you keep it uniform or mix and match. Play off and amplify the centerpiece. Personalize each guest’s place.  

It’s not a Party without Music 

You don’t need to be an expert to make a fun and fitting playlist. Crowdsource it! 

Invite input: Ask friends and family to send suggestions that remind them of your guest of honor. Whether the tunes were playing during moments they shared or they just “feel like her.” The “whys” behind the selections will make great conversation starters. 

Mix it up: Like any good DJ set, your playlist should have highs and lows, standards and new surprises. If your honoree has a favorite performer, dig up some deep cuts or interesting covers so they can see the songs in a new light. 

Dare to pair: Salad, starters, main, dessert – group songs that match the vibe of your courses. Is your birthday person a gumbo fan? Set it to New Orleans jazz. 

Don’t stress: Your playlist can be assembled well in advance of the big day. If a track isn’t working during the party, it’s ok to “skip.” And if something’s a hit, ad lib to keep the excitement going with “more like this.” 

Just hit play! Follow us on Spotify where you’ll find themed BV playlists, from “Legends of Gibson” to “Smooth-Sipping Hits.” 

Pairing Wine and Cheese 

When it’s time to celebrate our birthday, we take inspiration from our French founder and follow the main with a leisurely cheese course. Beyond being delicious, it’s the perfect palate cleanser between savory supper dishes and a sweeter, dark-chocolate birthday torte (served with BV Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon). Here are a few of our favorite pairings to offer your guests. 

Aged Gouda & Georges de Latour Private Selection Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon: The profound intensity of this Cab harmonizes with the robust, mature notes of the aged Gouda. It’s a true testament to the splendor of pairing a bold wine with a bold cheese. 

Aged Comté & Tapestry Reserve Napa Valley Red Wine: An effortless exploration of texture and taste, the wine’s full-bodied, elegant dark fruit, caramel, and spice delightfully complement the cheese’s pronounced nutty flavor and slight sweetness. 

Tripe-Crème Brie & Reserve Carneros Chardonnay: The richness of the brie beautifully enhances the balanced acidity, fresh apple, and toasty graham cracker crust flavors of our Chardonnay, creating a duo that’s smooth, sophisticated, and utterly luxurious. Visit our blog for expert advice on storing and serving cheese.