Mandarin Oriental × Sine by Di Pinto: Duo Chefs’ Cabaret
Asia’s leading importer covering all Italian wine regions—celebrating its 20th anniversary. As curator, I devised a prestigious wine and performing arts event, bringing together Sine by Di Pinto (a Michelin-starred restaurant) and Bencotto at the Mandarin Oriental for an opera dinner. I became the first planner worldwide—and the first for Mandarin Oriental Taipei—to create the “Opera Cabaret,” a novel dinner-and-wine entertainment format.
Crescendo & Cabernet: The Opera-Cabaret Prelude
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Crescendo & Cabernet: The Opera-Cabaret Prelude ⁎
｜Research｜
For twenty years, Global Vine Imports has maintained a low profile amid fierce brand competition and declining sales. Channel research revealed that distributors, restaurants, and consumers purchase based on winery reputation, with little awareness of the importer. Moreover, when a winery’s fame peaks, there’s a risk of switching importers. Stabilizing the tripartite relationship between wineries, importers, and buyers—while generating multiple revenue streams—became the primary challenge.
｜Strategy｜
Leveraging the importer’s 20th anniversary and exclusive focus on Italian wines, we anchored our approach in the birthplace of opera. By integrating entertainment and dining within a vintage-inspired cabaret format, we established an irreplaceable planning authority in the market. Through integrated marketing and strategic alliances, we aimed to amplify brand influence and drive sales performance.
Crescendo & Cabernet: The Opera-Cabaret Prelude
｜Design｜
Before curating year-end’s “Da Vinci’s Drunken Supper” Wine Festival / Opera Dinner as lead planner, I first orchestrated a prelude “Duo Chefs’ Feast.” This involved coordinating major sponsors, VIP commercial partners, F&B brand collaborators, and hotel procurement channels—executing a high-stakes, multi-win relationship strategy.
｜Outcomes｜
For Asian enthusiasts of performing arts, culture, and fine wine, we deliver original entertainment content and fresh narratives. We built a business alliance network featuring Lexus (highlighted in Owner magazine with 90% owner satisfaction), the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Modifu Art Group, Steinway & Sons, and MUZIK classical music journal—resulting in a twofold increase in market share across the client’s F&B channels.
