Birmingham Wine Weekend Staycation at Rotunda

When Birmingham’s Wine Weekend came to Rotunda

We joined forces with the wonderful team behind Birmingham Wine Weekend to bring you the ultimate Wine Weekend Staycation on Saturday 17th October. Guests enjoyed all the fun of the original Wine Weekend but from a socially-distanced stance with an overnight stay.

It was a night of fantastic premium wines, served in the comfort of guests’ own stylish serviced apartment here at the iconic Rotunda.

If you are looking for another special occasion then check out the Wilderness private dining event on Bonfire Night.

WE LOVE YOUR PICTURES! HERE ARE SOME SHOTS FROM THE EVENT

Guest holding up glass of champagne at The Wine Staycation event at Staying Cool's Rotunda Aparthotel

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Glass of red wine with city lights in the background at night at Staying Cool's Rotunda Aparthotel

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Cheese platter with crackers for The Wine Staycation event at Staying Cool's Rotunda Aparthotel

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Tony Elvin from The Wine Events Company presenting The Wine Staycation event from a staying cool penthouse with a night time city backdrop

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Two glasses of white wine from the wine staycation event at Staying Cool's Rotunda Aparthotel

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Cheese board selection with city lights in the background at Staying Cool's Rotunda Aparthotel

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Glass of rose with cheese in the background at The Wine Staycation event at Staying Cool's Rotunda Aparthotel

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Rose wine with cheese board at The Wine Staycation event at Staying Cool's Rotunda Aparthotel

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two glasses of red wine infront of the zoom call on screen at The Wine Staycation event at Staying Cool's Rotunda Aparthotel

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the wine list from The Wine Staycation event at Staying Cool's Rotunda Aparthotel

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bottles of Lallier Champagne on ice at Staying Cool's Rotunda Aparthotel

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Glass of champagne in front of zoom call with Tony Elvin on screen presenting The Wine Staycation event at Staying Cool's Rotunda Aparthotel

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Glass of white wine and smoked cheese on a plate at The Wine Staycation event at Staying Cool's Rotunda Aparthotel

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Alex Nicholsen-Evans holding tray of red wine ready for guests of the Wine Staycation event at Staying Cool's Rotunda Aparthotel

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The cheese selection menu from The Wine Staycation event at Staying Cool's Rotunda Aparthotel

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Cheese selection at The Wine Staycation event at Staying Cool's Rotunda Aparthotel

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Glass of champagne with Birmingham city lights in the background taken from Staying Cool's Rotunda Aparthotel

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Red wine in front of a Zoom conversation at the Wine Staycation event at Staying Cool's Rotunda Aparthotel

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Alex Nicholson Evans delivering wine to guests of the Wine Staycation at Staying Cool's Rotunda Aparthotel

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Bottle of Lallier Champagne with city views taken from Staying Cool's Rotunda Aparthotel penthouse balcony.

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Cityscape views at dusk from the wine staycation event at Staying Cool's Rotunda Aparthotel

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Wine Staycation welcome letter with zoom call in the background at Staying Cool's Rotunda Aparthotel

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Cheese selection with crackers for the wine staycation event at Staying Cool's Rotunda Aparthotel

@BirminghamWineWeekend

Glasses of white wine at the wine staycation event at Staying Cool's Rotunda Aparthotel

@BirminghamWineWeekend

The schedule

Check in at Rotunda from 3pm, unpack, relax and enjoy those Insta-tastic views.

Starting at 6:30pm, join Tony Elvin of the Wine Events Company live on Zoom, streaming from the Rotunda Penthouse, as he introduces you to the grape adventure ahead of you. You’ll be tasting six premium wines, starting with a glass of Grand Cru Champagne. You can also expect some delicious cheese pairings from local indie Arch 13.

You will learn about the wines from our two experts with plenty of optional online interactivity – and plenty of giggles too.

Your wines & cheeses will be delivered directly to your apartment door in real time so you can enjoy the fun of an interactive wine tasting from the comfort of your stylish Staying Cool serviced apartment. The ultimate socially-distanced wine experience!

We’ll be drawing proceedings to a close by 8:30pm to give you time to either cook some food in your apartment, order delivery from a local restaurant, relax and enjoy the views or head out for dinner in the city. Whatever floats your boat.

The experts

Hosting proceedings from the Rotunda penthouse is Tony Elvin (WSET Advanced Distinction). Formerly Hotel du Vin General Manager, Tony is co-owner of The Wine Events Company. He has a passion for making wine accessible and fun through innovative tastings, wine dinners and even movies paired with wine. The Wine Events Company are events partner for Birmingham Wine Weekend and specialise in collaborations with the city’s finest venues including Birmingham Museums, The Electric Cinema, Millennium Point, and more.

Joining via Zoom is Nigel Wilkinson (MS DipWSET), Brand Ambassador & Senior Wine Educator for Boutinot (vineyard owners and wine producers in England, France, Italy & South Africa). Nigel became a Master Sommelier in 2005 and now teaches and examines for both the Wine & Spirit Education Trust and the Court of Master Sommeliers. Before entering the wine trade, he was named ‘UK Young Wine Server of the Year’ and was twice runner-up in the ‘UK Sommelier of the Year Competition’.

Nigel is a certified sherry educator, a graduate of the École du Vin d’Alsace and is an academician of the Champagne Academy. He has been awarded by the Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin Bourgogne, is an Honorary Ambassador of the Grand Conseil du Vin de Bordeaux, an Honorary Fellow of the AFWS and is a Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Maître Sommelier. Oh là là!

HOW MUCH WILL THE BIRMINGHAM WINE WEEKEND STAYCATION COST?

Tickets are £150 per person. The price includes:
• a one night stay in either a studio or two bedroom apartment including breakfast of cereals, juice, espresso coffee and teas
• the Wine Weekend experience, including six wines and paired cheeses served as part of the virtual tasting including a glass of Grand Cru Champagne. Please do get in touch if you have any special dietary needs.

How do I book?

Click the BOOK NOW or SEARCH button on the website. Select Saturday the 17th October and the apartment type you would like to book (studio, one bed, two bed or penthouse) and use the code BWW2020 in the promo code box. Or email hello@stayingcool.localhost and we’ll make the reservation for you.

YOUR COVID-19 MEASURES?

We have put in place measures to protect against Coronavirus, endorsed by hospitality industry bodies. More detailed information will be included in your pre-arrival email too.

TERMS & CONDITIONS?

The fine print (the usual Staying Cool T&Cs apply) and in addition:

• Remember to speak to us about food allergies or preferences – email hello@stayingcool.localhost or add a note to your booking.

• All guests must be age 21 or over

• Maximum two people in a studio apartment (£300 in total for both of you)

• Maximum four people in a two bedroom apartment (£600 total for all four of you).

• Payment is taken at the time of booking.

WHAT HAPPENS IF LOCKDOWN RETURNS?

If government restrictions on travel or overnight stays at hotels or aparthotels return, or a second lockdown is imposed in Birmingham, we will move the event to another date. You can either choose to cancel for a full refund or transfer the booking to the new date. The current restrictions in Birmingham only relate to domestic households and not to hotels, bars and restaurants where it’s business as usual. All of our apartments only sleep two to four people – and we are very strict on that – so the rule of six isn’t relevant either.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

You will receive an email confirming your booking.

What to bring?

Be sure to pack a laptop, tablet or phone that can access Zoom in order to fully enjoy the evening.

How to get to Rotunda

You can travel by train, plane or car. Full information on parking and the three minute walk from both New Street and Moor Street Stations and more is in our Travel Tips section.

The Birmingham Wine Weekend Staycation organisers

The event has been organised by Birmingham Wine Weekend and their longstanding events partner, The Wine Events Company with food from local indie Arch 13.