Vineyard 511

Napa Valley Film Festival Fundraiser

Cinema Napa Valley, the non-profit organization, which runs the Napa Valley Film Festival (NVFF), recently held its Second Annual Patron Circle Fundraiser. The fun event was held at the three-Michelin-star The Restaurant, at Napa Valley's Meadowood resort.

After an hour's reception with En Tirage Blanc de Blancs Carneros 2010 sparkling wine paired with inventive nibbles-- oysters "bubbled" in smoked sea water and green almonds treated like olives--guests were seated at tables surrounding an indoor tree in the elegant dining area.

Seated at our table were current NVFF board members Michael Wood, of Baywood Capital and owner of the Mount View Hotel and Spa, in Calistoga, and his wife Stephanie; Bob Bassett, Dean of Chapman University's Dodge College of Film & Media Arts, and his wife Janell. Also seated at our table were Kathy Buck, proprietor of the historic Cameo Cinema in St. Helena (the 107-year-old, fully-digital movie theater, only one of 9 single-screen theaters in the U.S. to offer Dolby Atmos sound); John Brazzale, NVFF Development Consultant; and Ed Ojdana, co-owner of Vineyard {511} and former board member and founding patron (along with myself) of the NVFF. There was so much buzz about film at this table.

We were served a delicious appetizer of kohlrabi caviar paired with Champagne Paul Launois, Monochrome, Le Mesnil Sur Oger, NV. Notice the lovely pottery serving dishes.

Another yummy item on the menu was black cod steamed in mustard greens with cultured butter,

paired with Russian River Valley 2017 Kanzler Pinot Noir.

There were also silent and live auctions, where trips to Bali and Malibu were offered. Ed and I won a 3-day day package, that included 2 tickets to the V Foundation for Cancer Research Wine Celebration Weekend in August 2020, including winery lunches, dinners, panels and gala. It was donated by the V Foundation, begun by Jimmy Valvano, North Carolina State basketball coach who, when dying of cancer, challenged his fans to find a cure for cancer. Such a worth cause.

The evening served as a wonderful taste of what's to come for Cinema Napa Valley's Patron Circle and the NVFF's 10th anniversary!

San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition Public Tasting

On Saturday, February 15, the San Francisco Chronicle held its 20th annual wine competition public tasting at Fort Mason. The facility is located in the Marina area of the City with a beautiful view of the SF Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge.

                                                                    

Hundreds of people participated in the event to taste the wines of the winners of the competition.

                                                                   

Many stopped by our booth to congratulate us and to taste our soon-to-be-released Vineyard {511} 2016 Diamond Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon and our 2018 Napa/Carneros Vineyard {511} Chardonnay.

                                                                   

Everyone looked like they were having fun.