The zoo. It’s awesome. Lions, tigers, monkeys, polar bears– the National Zoo has ’em all. But check this out: tomorrow you can see all those fun guys and knock back a glass of wine while your at it! Score!

From 6 to 9 Thursday evening, the Friends of the National Zoo’s annual wine tasting fundraiser, Grapes With Apes, will take place on the Great Meadow which will be transformed into a vineyard terrace. A tickets gets you a commemorative tasting glass and free tastes from the 20 participating wineries. Proceeds go to supporting animal care, conservation science, education and sustainability at the National Zoo. Attendees will also get a chance to chat it up with the Zoo’s Great Ape keepers. Tickets are selling quickly, so get them now and bring your discriminating palate and nose.

And don’t worry, I have it on good authority that you won’t be downwind from the elephant house.

What: Grapes With Apes

When: Thursday, September 23, 6 to 9 p.m.

Where: National Zoo, 3001 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC

See fcva.me/9n00HS for tickets and more information