January 9 (Sat) - 2:30-4:30 PM: Banfi Wine Class at IL Gattopardo for staff and GRI Individual members. Overview: A Romp Through the Vineyards of Italy - The basics on Italian wine

January 12 (Tues) - 9:30am-12 noon: GRI Board of Directors Meeting at SD26 Lunch to follow.

January 16 (Sat) - 3:30-4:30 PM: Banfi Wine Class at IL Gattopardo for staff and GRI Individual members. Tasting Tuscany: Brunello, Chianti and Maremma

January 23 (Sat) - 3:30-4:30 PM: Banfi Wine Class at IL Gattopardo for staff and GRI Individual members. Northern Corners: Tasting the wines of Piedmont & Veneto

January 30 (Sat) - 3:30-4:30 PM: Banfi Wine Class at IL Gattopardo for staff and GRI Individual members. Tasting the Warm South: the wines of Rome. Abruzzi, Campania and Sicily.

February 6 (Sat) - 3:30-4:30 PM: Graduation Ceremony - Banfi Wine Class at IL Gattopardo for staff and GRI Individual members.

February 26 (Fri): GRI dinner Honoring Calogero Mannino and the Abraxas Estate wines. SD26 Restaurant. Reception at 9:00 PM, dinner to follow at 9:30 PM.

March 3 (Wed): GRI-Casa Italiana Lecture Series: “Di-Vine Design” - Guest Lecturer, Stefano Milioni; 6:00-8:00 PM at Casa Italiana-Zerilli-Marimo (24 West 12 Street, tel: 212-998-3862). Reception following the program. For more information, please check www.casaitaliananyu.org in the coming weeks.

Stefano Milioni Profile: click here

March 24 (Wed): Casa Italiana Zerilli Marimo-GRI Genuinely Italian Lecture Series from 6:00-8:30 PM at the Casa Italiana-Zerilli-Marimo (24 West 12 Street, tel: 212-998-3862). “The History of Italian Cuisine in New York City”. John Mariani, one of America's premier food writers, author of more than 10 books on food, three-time nominee for the James Beard Journalism Award, and hailed as “the most influential food-wine critic in the popular press,” will take us through the fascinating history and development of Italian cuisine in New York City. He will be join in lively discussion by legendary New York Italian restaurateur, Tony May, owner of the SD26 Restaurant and Wine Bar and Chairman of Gruppo Ristoratori Italiani. There will be a reception following the program. For more information, please check www.casaitaliananyu.org or the GRI web site at www.gruppo.com.

John Mariani profile, click here.

April 11-19: GRI Annual Trip to Italy. This year the group will be traveling the region of Tuscany and concluding it s travels in the eternal city of Rome.

April 27 (Tues): Casa Italiana Zerilli Marimò-GRI Genuinely Italian Lecture Series from 6:00-8:30 PM at the Casa Italiana-Zerilli-Marimò (24 West 12 Street, tel: 212-998-3862). “The Best Italian Specialty Stores in New York City: Advice on Smart Shopping” featuring Lou DiPalo of DiPalo's Fine Foods (Little Italy), Louis Coluccio, Jr. of Coluccio & Son (Brooklyn) and Antonio Magliulo of Buonitalia (Chelsea Market). Moderator to be announced. Members Only Wine Reception from 6:00-6:30 PM. For more information, please check www.casaitaliananyu.org

June 15 & 16 (Tues & Wed): GRI Culinary Seminar, “Italian Cuisine: A Victim of Its Own Success?” Two-day seminar with special guest panelists from Italy and the USA discussing issues of the governance surrounding the authenticity of Italian products, needed guidelines and the role of education; at the Casa Italiana Zerilli Marimò &minus New York University. June 15 &minus Morning Session: 10:30 &minus 12 noon: “Italian Cuisine: A Victim of Its Own Success?”; Afternoon Session: 2:15 PM &minus 3:45 PM: “Does the Restaurateur or the Consumer Need a Seal of Authenticity?; June 16 &minus Morning Session: 10:45 AM - 12:15 PM “Education: Operators, Consumers, Institutions &minus How Do We Go About Doing It?” Specially invited guests.

November 15 (Mon): GRI-Casa Italiana Lecture Series: 6:00-8:00 PM at Casa Italiana-Zerilli-Marimo (24 West 12 Street, tel: 212-998-3862). Topic and lecturer to be announced. Reception following the program. For more information, please check www.casaitaliananyu.org in the coming weeks.

December 8 (Wed): GRI-Casa Italiana Lecture Series: 6:00-8:00 PM at Casa Italiana-Zerilli-Marimo (24 West 12 Street, tel: 212-998-3862). "Brunello di Montalcino - History and Legends" As Narrated by Cristina Mariani-May of Castello Banfi.