The post-work happy hour could use an upgrade. Before catching the train home from Grand Central, why not stop by a mansion on Fifth Avenue to enjoy some rosé and learn some fun facts about wine? Through October 7, Rosé Mansion will have you swinging on (not from) the chandelier, figuratively bathing in rosé, and spending some time getting educated about — and drinking — pink wine. (Have your phone at the ready because the pop-up is an Instagrammer’s dream.)
Proximity to major transportation was an important factor in choosing the location of the Mansion, says co-founder Tyler Balliet. “Morgan First (the other co-founder) and I definitely wanted to be in Manhattan as it’s the epicenter of rosé in the United States.” Balliet and First combined three ideas — a hands-on museum, a micro-amusement park, and a really cool wine bar — to come up with the Mansion. Guests are taken on a rosé journey, starting in South Africa and ending in Italy, with stops in locations like Upstate New York and France. Along the way, learn about sweet versus dry rosé, create your own glass by filling in a card with choices on taste, and answer wine trivia with a pop-culture bend, such as “What taste shares its name with what Jennifer Grey carried in Dirty Dancing and a Beyoncé song?”
Upon arriving, you’re greeted on the lower level and given some dos and don’ts for your visit, including don’t stand on swinging objects, do ask other people in your group to take your picture, and perhaps most importantly, don’t lose your plastic glass where your eight samples will be poured. It generally takes 45 minutes to an hour to tour the space, depending on how many photos you take and how much time you spend reading the educational facts on the wall. “Rosé is really having a moment and it’s a great vehicle for storytelling,” Balliet says.
After sampling their way through the Mansion, guests can stop at the ample bar downstairs to enjoy a dazzling menu of rosé, whether it be still or sparking, glass or bottle. In addition to bar and table seating, there are also beach chairs set up on a stretch of pink sand. “We wanted guests to be able to extend their stay, hang out with their friends and choose from a great selection of rosé,” Balliet says.
Expect some special events at the Mansion next month, which will be announced on Instagram. The Rosé Mansion is located at 445 Fifth Avenue through October 7. The hot pink door will let you know you’ve come to the right place.
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