The Whirl: The Art of Aperitivo

On Apr. 29, WALTER hosted The Art of Aperitivo at the Merrimon-Wynne House, inspired by VIETRI founder Susan Gravely’s latest book, Italy in a Glass. The evening included wine tastings with Michael Rando of Grapevine Distributors, flower arranging sessions with Kyle Overby of Flowers by Kyle and Darcie Garcia of The Florapist, cocktails with Geremy Prichard and Miguel Torres from Boatman Spirits Co. and music by the Lyricosa Quartet, with support from Chamber Music Raleigh. Thank you to our sponsors Finks Jewelers and Green Front Furniture for making the evening possible, as well as our partners HL Catering, If It’s Paper, Raleigh City Farm, The Country Bookshop and Westgate Wine.

Susan Gravely
Gravely and guests
Lyricosa Quartet
Food by HL Catering
Kyle Overby, Darcie Garcia
Leigh Homes, Patrick Casey, Savannah Holmes
Matt Berrian, Lauren Romer
Mike Gering, Marsha Ferree
Claire Brown, Kyla Lakey, Lisa Southern
Boatman Spirits Co.
Monty Parker, Virginia Parker, Amy Brisley, Joy Brisley, Gary Wilson
Ann Matteson, Catherine Cox, Lillian Richardson, Libby Ross
Kate Boes, Lisa McGowan, Beth Robinson
Terry Henderson
Lisa Boyles, Andrea Weigl
Mary Catherine Sigmon, Collins Chalmers
Whitney Stutts, Mike Hyman
Lacy McMahon, Hannah Elmore, Snow Roberts

This article originally appeared in the June 2026 issue of WALTER magazine.

The Whirl