A Sea of Gold Opened New York Champagne Week
An opulent celebration of champagne and style illuminated Manhattan.
When New York Champagne Week returned to the city, it did so with a luminous beginning. The 12th Annual VIP Opening Party, titled A Sea of Gold, marked the start of the 2025 festivities with elegance and precision. Held on November 10 at Branch, the private members-only club near Bryant Park, the event gathered a select guest list of tastemakers, industry figures, and champagne enthusiasts for an evening that defined refined indulgence.
The celebration was the vision of Blaine Ashley, known affectionately as Champagne Blaine, whose leadership has shaped New York Champagne Week into a signature event in the city’s luxury calendar. Her curation once again highlighted champagne’s cultural depth and enduring charm, presenting it as both an art form and a lifestyle.
A Sea of Gold unfolded as a night of shimmering design and meticulous detail. The theme was reflected in every element, from the décor to the attire. Guests entered Branch to find a setting bathed in golden tones and soft lighting that complemented the event’s opulent concept. Attendees honored the dress code with gold lamé, sequins, and subtle metallic accessories, transforming the room into a living tableau of glimmering sophistication.
Perrier-Jouët served as the evening’s featured champagne partner, pouring magnums of its signature cuvées that sparkled in tall crystal flutes. The champagne flowed freely alongside golden negronis and inventive culinary presentations designed to complement the refined beverage. The menu featured savory and sweet pairings that balanced tradition with contemporary flair, creating a sequence of sensory highlights throughout the night.
The music set the rhythm of the celebration, curated by resident DJ Rob Aloia, whose selections created an atmosphere of continuous movement and light. Guests mingled, toasted, and danced amid moments of spontaneous camaraderie. The Calvisius Caviar bump bar became a favorite gathering point, while the Tipsy Scoop cart offered champagne-infused ice cream that added a playful twist to the evening’s indulgence.
Beyond its immediate glamour, the opening event reaffirmed the purpose of New York Champagne Week: to celebrate the artistry, heritage, and craftsmanship behind champagne while fostering connection among its admirers. Throughout the week that followed, a series of tastings, dinners, and experiences extended that same spirit of appreciation across Manhattan.
Since its founding in 2013, New York Champagne Week has grown into a signature moment for the city’s hospitality and beverage industry. Each year, it has continued to attract a discerning audience drawn to its balance of education and entertainment. Under Blaine Ashley’s leadership, the week’s events have bridged the gap between heritage and innovation, offering both connoisseurs and newcomers a deeper understanding of champagne’s cultural relevance.
The setting of Branch contributed to the sense of exclusivity that defined the Sea of Gold evening. With sweeping views of midtown and Bryant Park, the private club offered a polished yet intimate environment that encouraged connection. Guests circulated through its elegant rooms, each vignette designed to engage all the senses.
Every touch of gold carried meaning. It represented celebration, craftsmanship, and the brilliance of shared experiences. The color linked the night’s visual design to the essence of champagne itself, uniting every element in a coherent and refined expression of joy.
The evening also highlighted the event’s distinguished partners, whose participation helped bring the concept to life. Perrier-Jouët, Branch, Park Terrace Hotel, Calvisius Caviar, Tipsy Scoop, and Society de la Rassi were among those who contributed to the seamless presentation. Their involvement underscored the collaborative nature of New York Champagne Week and its commitment to excellence across all aspects of hospitality.
As the final glasses were raised and the music reached its close, the Sea of Gold left an impression of unity and celebration. Guests departed with a renewed admiration for champagne’s enduring role in bringing people together. The night reflected a harmony between luxury and warmth, artistry and enjoyment, refinement and conviviality.
This year’s New York Champagne Week continued its tradition of presenting champagne as more than a drink. It celebrated it as a symbol of craftsmanship, creativity, and connection. A Sea of Gold stood as both an opening and an emblem, capturing the essence of the week that followed and the city that continues to embrace it.
* His Highness and Excellency Global Peace Ambassador Dr. PRINCE MARIO-MAX SCHAUMBURG-LIPPE is a working Royal, award winning TV- and Event-Host, Bertelsmann Randomhouse author, Public Speaker and Philanthropist ♔ Prince Mario-Max is the son of Royal Dignitaries H.H. Dr.h.c. Prince Waldemar and H.H. Dr. Princess Antonia of Schaumburg-Lippe. His Grandmother is H.R.H. Princess Feodora of Denmark. Therefore they are the Royal Danish Nachod Line of The Princes of Schaumburg-Lippe, the Founding Family of Hamburg, Lübeck and Kiel. ♔ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/princemariomax/ Website http://www.schaumburglippe.org Facebook https://www.facebook.com/zuschaumburglippe X-Twitter https://twitter.com/schaumburglippe Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/prince-mario-max-schaumburg-lippe-1879978a
