You pop open a bottle of your favourite wine, pour it with friends, and the conversation starts to flow. Stories tumble out, laughter echoes, and before you know it, the evening feels full, and the connections strong. Wine has always been more than what’s in the glass; it’s a signal that we’re here for each other, that the pace of life can slow for a while.
October is the perfect month to lean into that spirit. The days are still bright, the air crisp, and the colours at their peak. From Canadian Thanksgiving to Oktoberfest, the start of the hockey season to the Blue Jays and CFL playoff races, it’s a season that practically begs us to gather—around kitchen tables, in backyards, in restaurants, or around the TV.
And the truth is, you don’t need a sprawling dining room or the perfect table setting to make this happen. What matters is the atmosphere you create: where people feel seen, heard, and welcome. Offering a glass of wine, asking about their day, and putting your phone aside—these small, meaningful gestures are often what make people feel their presence is valued.
That spirit is at the heart of Come Over October, a movement that reminds us to slow down and make space in our lives for each other. It’s about reviving a very human practice: gathering, sharing stories, celebrating milestones, or simply catching up. In a world that moves fast and furiously, October invites us to pause and reconnect.
Often, something shared makes these moments even more memorable. For many of us, that’s wine. Passed around in mismatched glasses at family dinners, poured at a friend’s housewarming, or uncorked on a Friday evening when the neighbours stop in, wine has always been communal. It has a way of stretching time: you pour, you sip, and conversations unfold. Opening a bottle to share is a simple way of saying “I’m not rushing; I’m here, with you.”
When I think back on my favourite memories, it’s rarely the grand gestures that stand out. It’s the evenings that stretched into the night, the surprise visits, the long catchups with friends I hadn’t seen in years. Sometimes it was a spontaneous toast after our team clinched a big win, or when the neighbour stopped by and stayed longer than planned. And often, a bottle of wine was there—not as the focus, but as a quiet companion that kept everyone at the table just a little longer.
Connection doesn’t always happen by accident. It’s a choice: to invite someone in, to step out and visit a friend you haven’t seen in a while. To say yes to that casual invitation, you might normally brush off. Over time, it becomes part of who we are, shaping not just our relationships and experiences, but our sense of belonging.
And in a world that can often feel isolating, this kind of connection matters. Recent studies from global experts including Harvard University identify loneliness as a global public health threat, reminding us how essential human connections are. Health and wellness are much more than diets and lifestyle choices; they’re about community, conversation, and care. This can begin by inviting someone over, sharing food and drinks, pulling up a chair, and giving them your full attention.
Before the holiday rush and the long winter ahead, October is our reminder to reach out, open our doors, and nurture the connections we need. To celebrate togetherness and savour it. So, come over.