About Our Wine Exchanges

We organize all of our wine exchanges on Facebook.  Please LIKE our Facebook Fan Page to ensure you get notified of our next wine exchange.

The Pittsburgh TasteBuds host wine exchanges throughout the year at select BYOB restaurants in the Pittsburgh area.  They are a fun, creative way to meet new people, try new restaurants and go home with a surprise wine.  Typically they are coordinated on Facebook and RSVPs ticket purchases are required for a headcount.  They are open for anyone to attend.  Contact us via Facebook for details and to RSVP.

General Guidelines:
  • Bring 1 bottle of wine in a wine bag or wrapped to be exchanged.
  • Bring 1 bottle of wine to have with your meal.
  • Follow the “theme” of the night.  Each party has a theme – maybe a wardrobe color or accessory.  Participate and you may get a special group giveaway.
  • Please drink responsibly.

History

Wine exchanges started as a holiday party with several friends to expand into a Pittsburgh dinner party phenomenon.  We encourage people to patronize the wonderful restaurants that have hosted our wine exchanges over the years.
History of our wine exchanges:
  • Diem Del Sol – July 2012
    Hosted at Solstice Restaurant in Greensburg 
  • Speaking Easy – June 2012
    Hosted at James Street Gastropub & Speakeasy in Northside
  • Spring Fling – April 2012
    Hosted at Piccolo Forno in Lawrenceville 
  • February 2012 “Dancing Goats” – February 2012
    Hosted at Abay Restaurant, East Liberty
  • 3rd Annual Holiday Wine Exchange “For The Kids” – December 2011
    Benefit dinner for Toys for Tots. Cornerstone in Aspinwall, PA
  • Toast to the Greek God of Wine, Dionysos – October 2011 
    Hosted at Mediterrano in Millvale
  • Mad Funny Wine Exchange – August 2012
    Hosted at Bite Bistro in Avalon/Bellevue
  • “Italian Retreat” – June 2011 
    Hosted by Mia Madre Trattoria in Avalon
  • “Black and White” Kaleidoscope – April 2011
    Hosted by Chef Dan Robinson: Kaleidoscope Cafe in Lawrenceville
  • “With Love” – Feburary 2011
    Hosted at Nicky’s Thai Kitchen in the Northside
  • For The Kids – Holiday Wine Exchange
    Benefit dinner for Toys for Tots.  Sausalido in Bloomfield, Pittsburgh’s Little Italy.
  • Fall Wine Exchange – October 2010
    Cornerstone Restaurant & Bar, Aspinwall, PA
  • Summer Luau – August 2010
    Hosted at the Tastebud’s private residence.
  • Pre-Fourth Party – June 2010
    Hosted at Bistro Soul in the Northside.
  • Cinco De Mayo – May 2010
    Hosted at the Fajita Grill in Shadyside.
  • Mardi Gras – Feburary 2010
    Hosted at River Moon Cafe, the chef/owner worked with us to create a custom Cajun/Creole fixe-prix menu inspired by the French Quarter.  We gave beads to everyone in attendance.  The experience even featured a one of a kind live-music performance!  Thank you Josephine!
  • Holiday Wine Exchange – December 2009
    Abay Restaurant was generous to give our entire group a fixe-price menu which included their combination platter.  Happy Holidays – all corkage fees were on us!  We celebrated great holiday cheer and exposed 16 new people to Ethiopian food.  Thank you Jamie!

Wine Exchange FAQs

What is a Wine Exchange?
Much like your typical gift exchange, you bring a wrapped or bagged bottle of wine.  There is no set price range for the wine, but it is typically recommended to be around $15 so that the recipients are getting a wine of similar quality that they are gifting.
Do I have to bring two bottles?
You don’t have to.  But we recommend it.  Because of the format of the exchanges, we don’t always get to opening the gifted bottles until partially through the evening.  Therefore, we recommend
What is corkage?
Corkage is the discretionary fee (approx. $2.50 – $10) that an establishments chooses to charge to open each bottle.  This doesn’t mean you should just open it yourself though.  Corkage includes the service for providing you a wine glass as well.  As a bonus, some places will offer to chill certain wines upon request.
Not every restaurant charges a corkage fee for groups of our size.  More often, we are charged a flat per person fee for the group, approx. $1-5 per person.
Please drink responsibly.