Tannins & Tanneries

What do your favorite boots and favorite bottle of wine have in common? 

Tannins. 🍷👢

The same plant compound that gives red wine its grip is what turns raw hide into leather. At Stitchdown Expo, we're bringing the two crafts together for a one-of-a-kind tasting experience.

Join acclaimed sommelier Derrick C. Westbrook, a Wine Enthusiast 40 Under 40 cover honoree with Michelin-starred restaurant experience, alongside a leather expert for Tannins & Tanneries—an intimate, 45-minute guided tasting exploring how tannins, craftsmanship, and time transform both grape and hide.

Your ticket includes:

• 🍷 Four wines personally curated by Derrick
• 👢 A live conversation exploring the connections between winemaking & leather tanning
• ✋ A hands-on experience with exceptional leather as you taste
• 🥂 A stemless wine glass to take home

No wine knowledge needed. Just curiosity.

EVENT DETAILS

Friday, November 6, 2026

Session 1: 5:00–6:00 PM

Session 2: 7:00–8:00 PM

Location: Artifact Events | Chicago, IL

Tickets: $75 per person or $130 for two

Limited to just 25 guests per session.

Whether you're a wine enthusiast, a leather aficionado, or simply curious about the surprising connections between the two, this is an experience you won't find anywhere else.

Presented by Stitchdown in collaboration with Derrick C. Westbrook.