The society pairs guest-brought bottles with dinner and themed blind tastings, with attendance limited to 16 guests per event.
At a Grand Cru Society event, each guest contributes a bottle to a blind tasting, with labels revealed after voting. The invitation-only Dubai wine society combines themed tastings with dinner, asking guests to judge what is in the glass before discussing the producer.
Founded by Ekaterina ‘Katya’ Jansen and Kristina Demenko, the invitation-only concept holds monthly themed gatherings guided by guest sommeliers, collectors or wine experts. Each guest contributes an exceptional bottle suited to the theme, making the selection a collective undertaking.
An idea from Marbella
Grand Cru Society grew out of Grand Cru Circle, a private tasting community Katya co-created in Marbella. The founder of the international women’s community Femme Social Club, she has organised more than 100 events, alongside curated trips, with gastronomy and brand collaborations central to her work.
After moving to Dubai, she saw an opportunity to bring that sociable approach to the city’s wine scene. Meeting Kristina added an established understanding of its hospitality audience.
Kristina has called Dubai home for 18 years. A Swiss Hotel Management School graduate, she spent five years with Marriott before founding Golden Key Concierge, a luxury travel and lifestyle company working with high-net-worth private clients and international hospitality brands.
Taste first, reveal later
The first evening explored white Burgundy at Bisou, accompanied by a menu that included artichoke carpaccio, chanterelle risotto with Parmesan and seabass fillet with creamy sauce. Numbered glass markers organise the tasting, while the society’s own app and leaderboard give guests’ opinions a competitive outlet.
The reveal is part of the experience. With identities concealed during tasting and voting, guests can discover whether their favourite pour matches their expectations of a producer or appellation. There is room for an informed opinion, and for a surprise.
The society welcomes experienced collectors alongside guests who simply appreciate good wine and company. Attendance is capped at 16, keeping the conversation within reach of everyone at the table. The founders report a substantial waiting list and now host two evenings for each theme.
Invitations and venue partnerships
Grand Cru Society has no fixed venue, allowing the founders to work with restaurants, hotels and other spaces across Dubai. Partners are selected for how well they complement the wines through food, service and setting, with attention extending to décor and gifts.
For hospitality operators, the opportunity is to host an engaged group of wine enthusiasts and collectors, introducing them to a venue through an evening built around their interests. The menu and service become part of the discovery, with the wines providing a clear focus for the occasion.
Access currently comes through an invitation request or a recommendation from an existing member. A membership format and expansion to Abu Dhabi are planned, although timings have yet to be announced.
Prospective guests can enquire about an invitation, while venues interested in hosting can contact the founders at info@grandcrusociety.com or on WhatsApp at +971 58 540 4477. Guests are asked to bring a bottle suited to the evening’s theme.
