Host a Swanky Speakeasy-Style Party at Home

ST. HELENA, CA--(Marketwire - Mar 2, 2012) - Speakeasy parties used to be the most exclusive gatherings in the country during the Roaring 20s. With secret doorways, password-only admission and a strict dress code, no one threw a party better than the flappers and the ritzy gents of that bygone era.

With the recent coast-to-coast resurgence of speakeasy-style bars, retro culture is once again in vogue! Now you too can relive the glitz and glamour of the 1920s era by turning your home into a speakeasy for an evening of canapés, jazz, and wine.

Here are Louis M. Martini Winery's seven must-haves for the perfect speakeasy-themed gathering:

• Dress Code: Classic styles are making a comeback, so stick to the basics. Think: The Great Gatsby. Go with black and white. Flapper dresses, boas, feathers, long pearls, fedoras and zoot boots earn extra points!
  
  
• Password: To get inside this elite gathering, not only do you have to dress the part, but you also have to know the secret password. Station a host at the door to ask each guest for their password (perhaps written on the invitation). If possible, have your guests use an entrance other than the front door.
  
  
• Drinks: Be sure to stick to the staples for the era. Traditional crowd pleasers include the Champagne Cocktail, Classic Dry Martini or a Manhattan. The ripe flavors of black cherry, currant and spice in Louis. M. Martini's 2009 Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon's (SRP $18) make the perfect addition to the swanky mood of the gathering, as well as an ideal pairing to the party's elegant fare.
  
  
• Food: Create a menu of elegant speakeasy-style fare and canapés. Choose delicious hors d'oeuvres that pair perfectly with Martini's rich Sonoma County Cabernet to satiate your guests' appetites.
  
  
• Location: Reserve your dining room area for formal dining and the living room for lounging, listening to music, dancing and enjoying the night.
  
  
• Music: This era was the height of New Orleans and Chicago style of jazz, mixed with the sounds of swing. The Charleston was one of the most popular dances of the time, so how about a dance-off?
  
  
• Décor: Like the attire, keep it simple and go with black and white for the entire party! Tuxedo-style was a 1920s staple. Keep in mind the Art Deco style as well -- squares, triangles and circles.
  
  

About Louis M. Martini Winery
For more than 75 years, the Louis M. Martini Winery has crafted award-winning wines from the flagship grape of Napa Valley: Cabernet Sauvignon. With the simple premise that the best grapes make the best wines, founder Louis M. Martini set out to acquire the finest terroir in what is now one of the world's most renowned wine-producing regions. In 1977, Michael Martini, third-generation family winemaker, took the helm. Merging art and science in the winery in 2003, he introduced Cellar 254, an "artist's studio" to experiment with small-production artisan red wines. Today, the winery continues the tradition in which it was established: pursuing the best Cabernet Sauvignon that the region can offer. The Louis M. Martini Winery and tasting room are located on Highway 29 in St. Helena, Calif. For more information, please visit www.louismartini.com. California Table Wine, ©2012 Louis M. Martini Winery, St. Helena, CA. All rights reserved.