Grape Occasions … your guide to everything wine, spa, travel and you.

About Grape Occasions

I love wine, I love travel, I love spas and I love self development (making me the best I can be). These are my passions…the things I love to explore. So I spend a lot of time pursuing them … whether it’s discovering a new wine, planning the next travel adventure or finding a new book on meditation. I have a huge collection of information and experiences to share with you…everything from what spa to visit, great getaways for two or even astrology. And that’s what Grape Occasions is all about … a place to go to help you explore and get information. We find it and share it with you!

Wine is a theme, a vine if you will, that runs through all my passions. Everywhere I go wine is part of the journey and exploration. From discovering the incredible world of Northwest wines while living in Seattle to exploring up close European wine countries while living in Amsterdam for four years and now getting to know Virginia’s burgeoning wine industry living back in my home state. It’s always a great moment every time you open a bottle!

So thanks for stopping by. I hope you enjoy what you find and it helps you enjoy the moments… because that’s what life is about… enjoying the occasions as we go! And why not make them grape!

Cheers,

shannon@grapeoccasions.com / @GrapeOccasions

About Shannon

A little something about me, Shannon Jones, and how Grape Occasions came to be.

Wine… I began to appreciate wine in 1995 when I worked for an event planning firm in the Washington, DC area. Part of the job was enjoying delicious food tastings throughout town at the best hotels, restaurants, and caterers…always paired with perfect wines (somebody had to do it!). I moved to the Northwest, USA in 2004 which deepened my appreciation – as so many great wines were grown right in the area. Then lived in Europe for four years – the wine heart of the world… enough said!

Travel… I was ‘bitten by the travel bug’ in 5th grade. My mom was a flight attendant so growing up we had great, free flying privileges. Our first big trip was a cruise to the U.S. Virgin Islands. Since then, I’ve been to 25 countries and too many cities to count… from Bora Bora to Barcelona, Istanbul to Italy. Twenty years of adventures and many more to come!

Spa… My first massages came after a car accident in 1994. Thankfully, I progressed to day-spa visits for the pure escape, relaxation, and stress relief.  In 2003, I visited the Miraval Resort in Tucson, Arizona – my first visit to a destination spa. That was IT! Amazing! I’ve been to over 50 spas throughout the Western part of the world, and have experienced more than 60 types of treatments. How many visits and how much have I spent? I shouldn’t count. Still on the list – to go East… Thailand!

Self… As I approached my 30th birthday, I had what some have called a ’30 year crisis.’ Or, as my astrologer calls it ‘Saturn returns.’ I felt as though I was living my life based on ‘shoulds’ and what other people wanted of me, not what I needed for me.  It took me a while to figure it out… Through much exploration, therapists, spas, and books.  Once I realized it, I stood up for me and made changes that have lead to amazing discoveries… including meeting the man of my dreams and creating Grape Occasions. The best is yet to come!

I’ve spent my career in marketing, communications, promotions, and events. More than fourteen of those twenty years with two global experiential brands in positions like head of marketing & product Europe, Middle East and Africa.

So there you have it… how my passions developed into Grape Occasions!