Twitter is partnering with custom wine producer Crushpad on a new charity-driven project, Fledgling Wine. The Twitter staff will work with Crushpad to make a Pinot Noir and a Chardonnay. The fundraiser, the Fledgling Initiative, will benefit Room to Read , a San Francisco non-profit organization that establishes schools and libraries for children in developing countries. Founded by former Microsoft employee John Wood, Room to Read has established 765 schools and filled over 7,000 libraries with more than 5.7 million books. The company says that $5 from every $20 bottle sold will go to Room to Read. Twitter users can follow the progress of the wines through @fledgling. The release date is planned for Fall 2010.

[via SF Gate]

Here's a fun one: The Lorien Hotel (managed by Kimpton) in Alexandria, Virginia, is offering a Social Media Detox package, designed to get you off of Facebook, Twitter and any other network that you're currently addicted to, and out into the world of human interaction.

While I was at first imagining that they'd borrowed some cellphone jamming technology from their not-so-far-off US intelligence neighbors -- was this relatively new hotel built with a Faraday cage in its structure? -- it turns out that the Lorien is relying on more of a carrot than stick approach.

The Social Media Detox package includes various incentives to step away from the internet, including a 10 minute chair massage at the hotel's spa, a $20 credit to BRABO or BRABO Tasting Room just next to the hotel for appetizers and drinks with friends. (Suggested cocktail: "The Face to Face", which is Belvedere vodka, pear puree, apple juice, lime juice and fresh rosemary.) There's also a push to get you out into the real world: you'll also receive a walking map of town, or if you prefer, they'll let you borrow a bicycle, gratis, and give you a route map. At night, the package includes an item off the hotel's "Dream Service" menu -- if you're traveling alone, you could select the teddy bear, who will be happy to hear your whispered, otherwise wasted, witty status updates.

(Since you'll still probably be pacing all night long, I'd go ahead and book the Presidential Suite, which has a 550 square foot private terrace overlooking Old Town Alexandria, and runs about $550 a night.)

It's not all teddy bears and sunshine, however. You'll only get the package's $25 certificate towards a future stay at the hotel if you prove "non-activity" on Facebook or Twitter, which you do via print out from an in-room computer or cellphone.

Clever, huh? Personally, as a frequent traveler, I think I'd feel much more stressed out not being able to be in contact with my friends and family on Facebook -- since it's replaced email communication for so many people, I wonder what the response would be if a hotel decided to offer a package contingent on not emailing or calling home? (In fact, there are programs like that: Outward Bound and the National Outdoor Leadership School, although they don't include massages and cocktails.) On the other hand, I'm sure I could be persuaded to let Twitter go for a few days. Especially if I got a teddy bear.

The Twitter guys are definitely on the move. Earlier this year, Biz Stone listed his Berkeley home for $575,000 and it sold quickly. Now Evan Williams has put his San Francisco penthouse on the market. One thing is for certain these guys like their nests contemporary. William has a two-bedroom loft in the Heublein Building. The sleek modern apartment is one of three penthouse units in the building and it has 11 foot ceilings. The home has a remodeled kitchen with a wine refrigerator and comes with a two-car garage. The interior has a bit of a rough look from exposed concrete and pipes. A private patio offers city views. Williams has listed his home for $1.498 million. Curbed SF says that he's building a modern home, designed by his wife which should be finished next year.

[via On The Block]

I've seen a bunch of contests and giveaways on Twitter but this one caught my eye, the chance to win a $1,500 black Akoya pearl necklace. Museum Way Pearls will give away the necklace through a treasure hunt. The company will list pearl-related trivia questions through their Twitter account @MuseumWayPearls and people who send in the correct answers will have a chance to win the necklace. The contest begins August 22 at 10 am EST and ends the same day. The company will accept all entries for 30 minutes after the final question is posted on Twitter then randomly select a winner. A second-place winner will receive a $50 pearl jewelry gift certificate to spend at Museum Way Pearls.

[via National Jeweler]

I saw this flitting around Twitter a few days ago and retweeted it myself but it's time for a closer look at the home of Twitter co-founder Biz Stone. Stone used the popular microblogging service to let the world know he is moving on to a new home and has put his old one up for sale. He likely needs a bit more room. Stone's two-bedroom cottage in the Berkeley Hills of California is long on charm but short on space, it's around 800 square feet.

The home comes with a fine provenance. It was designed by William Wurster an architect and the namesake for UCBerkeley's Wurster Hall. The cottage was built as his own personal studio in 1960 and is a light and airy retreat. The simple and modern home has wood floors, skylights, fireplace and a small kitchen. It is listed at $575,000.

[via Freshome]

Louis Vuitton has had an online presence for a while now but they are stepping up their game today by introducing the Totally Monogram tote online first. It is available exclusively on www.louisvuitton.com until June 1st and sells for $1,000.

Louis Vuitton has also joined the Twitterverse. You can follow them @LouisVuitton_US (they don't appear to own the @LouisVuitton name on Twitter yet but I suspect they'll go after it). A press release promises that the Vuitton Twitter feed will offer info on new products and Louis Vuitton events. So far the Louis Vuitton Twitter feed isn't too interesting but if you are going to follow them, we recommend you follow us too (@Luxist). We'll do our best to keep you entertained.

Tonight marks the first in a series of "Twitter tastings" by wine store, Bin Ends. The tastings will feature famous wine personalities taking part in online tastings. that anyone can participate in. The tastings will take place on the third Thursday of each month at 7pm. For each tasting Bin Ends will sell a tasting pack. Tonight's pack of six bottles cost $100. The tasting will include comments from Ryan and Gabriella Opaz of the popular Spanish and Portuguese-centered wine site CataVino.

Bin Ends offers "fine wine bargains" for customers both in their Boston store and online. They use an automatic markdown system where every three weeks, anything still in stock gets marked down an additional 10%. Bin Ends offers free shipping nationwide on all orders of $200 or more.