From Ashley Lusk. Check out Ashley’s blog Metropoetrylis and find her on Twitter at @arlusk. You can email her at [email protected].

This Saturday kicks off the first-ever DC Wine Week — a citywide opportunity to enjoy wine, wine education and to help support the area’s growing local wineries, wine shops, wine bars, restaurants and merchants. (The event is sponsored by a number of local establishments and businesses.) There are several participating establishments in the Borderstan area; full details below.

The event starts with an opening bash at Sonoma in Capitol Hill on Saturday, and if the popularity of the invitation-only event has been any indicator of what you can expect this week, you should probably make your plans soon. However, if The Hill is a little too far from Borderstan for your Merlot fix, there are some great events closer to home.

Events in Dupont-Logan-U Street

Saturday, October 15

• Happy Hour from 3 to 7 pm at One Lounge (1606 20th Street NW) with half off selected wines.

Sunday, October 16

• Happy Hour from 3 to 7 pm at One Lounge (1606 20th Street NW) with half off selected wines.

Monday, October 17

• At the Twine Up Urbana (2121 P Street NW) will be offering a $5 per glass happy hour special that includes a Chardonnay and Cabernet plus a special for DC Wine Week — Macabeo, a varietal from Cava and a red grape, Tempranillo.
• Happy Hour from 3 to 7 pm at One Lounge (1606 20th Street NW) with half off selected wines.
• Happy Hour from 4 to 7 pm at Urbana Wine Bar (2121 P Street NW) with $5 red and white house wines.

Tuesday, October 18

• Kramerbooks & Afterwords Cafe (1517 Connecticut Avenue NW) will be hosting “Does Terroir Really Make a Difference?” an education in the soil, climate and environment needed to produce a spectacular wine. The event that includes flights of three Sauvignon Blancs and/or three Pinot Noirs from three distinct wine regions — for just $10 per flight.
• Happy Hour from 3 to 7 pm at One Lounge (1606 20th Street NW) with half off selected wines.
• Happy Hour from 4 to 7 pm at Urbana Wine Bar (2121 P Street NW) with $5 red and white house wines.

Wednesday, October 19

• Head to Policy (1904 14th Street NW) for “Wine Down Wednesday” and get 50% off wines by the bottle.
• Happy Hour from 3 to 7 pm at One Lounge (1606 20th Street NW) with half off selected wines.
• Happy Hour from 4 to 7 pm at Urbana Wine Bar (2121 P Street NW) with $5 red and white house wines.

Thursday, October 20

• Just up the street in Adams Morgan… head to Rumba (2443 18th Street NW) for tapas with Chilean wine pairings.
• Happy Hour from 3 to 7 pm at One Lounge (1606 20th Street NW) with half off selected wines.

Friday, October 21

• Happy Hour from 3 to 7 pm at One Lounge (1606 20th Street NW) with half off selected wines.
• Happy Hour from 4 to 7 pm at Urbana Wine Bar (2121 P Street NW) with $5 red and white house wines.

Saturday, October 22

• Happy Hour from 3 to 7 pm at One Lounge (1606 20th Street NW) with half off selected wines.

Specials and Tastings: Don’t Miss Events

If you can’t make it to one of the special DC Wine Week happy hours, the event website points out some great wine-focused specials and tastings to check out.

• Wine Riot on Friday, October 21 and Saturday, October 22, 7 to 11 pm both evenings. Location is the Daughters of the Revolution Constitution Hall and ticket price ($50 to $60) includes sample size pours of any and all wines at the Riot.
• Washington Wine Academy Potomac River Cruises on Friday, October 21 from 6:30 to 8 pm and 8:30 to 10 pm. At the DC Southwest Waterfront, $55 per ticket.
• Chocolate, Cupcakes & Wine at Co Co. Sala at 929 F Street NW on Friday, October 21 from 6 to 7 pm.

For a complete listing of events and wine tasting specials, visit www.dcwineweek.com