By Dara Clariza Evangelista
It was a party. What a night to be at the 22nd Grand Wine Experience. If it comes around again, you should absolutely go if you can. It’s the kind of event that works as a date night, a friends’ night, or a “treat yourself because you deserve it” night. Good food, great company, and great drinks were everywhere.
What do you mean there was a carving-station Peking duck and two giant pans of paella? Free-flowing sushi, macarons, and raffles sending people home with cruise tickets? It genuinely felt like a playground for grown-ups. People were dressed to impress, and the energy was its own show: some charming dates or business partners, others dancing with their spouses or hyping up their friends. It was warm, lively, and a little bit glamorous in all the best ways.
Stylish Magazine was there as an official media partner, capturing the energy, the fashion, and the little moments that make nights like this feel special. Being on the ground made the experience even richer, from the way guests floated between tables to the spontaneous pockets of laughter forming around glasses being poured and shared.
The 22nd Grand Wine Experience has always been known for indulgence, but this year’s edition at the Marriott Grand Ballroom hit a different kind of stride. Now that the event has wrapped, what lingers is the memory of a night where luxury felt inviting instead of intimidating. The theme celebrated “Time Travel,” a nod to how every bottle carries its own story and transports you to a different moment in winemaking history. It’s one of those rare events where you can wander from table to table and feel like you’re traveling across continents through taste alone.
More than a thousand wines, spirits, and brews filled the ballroom, each one representing a chapter of craftsmanship from vineyards and distilleries around the world. Rare vintages stood side by side with beloved labels, creating a night that blended heritage, artistry, and pure enjoyment. Whether you were a collector, a curious beginner, or someone who simply appreciates a good drink, it was easy to get swept up in the atmosphere.
For years, the Grand Wine Experience has shaped how Southeast Asia celebrates wine culture, and this year reaffirmed why. Beyond the labels, it’s the people, the stories, and the shared moments that make the night unforgettable.
And as the last glasses were raised and the ballroom finally dimmed, it was clear why this event has become a staple: it invites you to savor life at a slower, richer pace, even if only for one unforgettable evening.
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Jasmine Curtis-Smith is on the cover of STYLISH Magazine right now, as she shares her thoughts on good storytelling in films, as she’s set to star in upcoming movies Open Night, a 2025 Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival sapphic film entry; and Manila’s Finest, an upcoming 2025 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) crime drama movie.
Read the Stylish Magazine September-October 2025 cover story here.
Our #StylishPodcast episode featuring our cover girl Jasmine Curtis-Smith is out. Watch it on Facebook and YouTube.
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