Vineyard 511

Tony Bennett and Diana Krall at the Hollywood Bowl

This year, Ed and I have been to the Hollywood Bowl three times. The favorites so far have been the wonderful Tony Bennett and Diana Krall playing many songs from the All American Songbook. 

The first half of each concert was performed by the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by now-world-renouned Venezualan Gustavo Dudamel, and by the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, conducted by Thomas Wilkins. A highlight of these parts was Dudamel conducting Moon River.

The first time we saw Bennett was at least twelve years ago at the Bowl, and he is still such a terrific performer, now at age ninety. The audience wouldn't let him off the stage until he sang--of course-- "I left my heart in San Francisco." He had a wonderful way to show his appreciation of the audience's appreciation of him, by giving it a hug by hugging himself.

I think Ed and I have seen Diana Krall perform around five times, most of which have been at the Bowl, and she's never been better. As a jazz performer and having started her career at the piano and not as a singer, she had her back up band perform as much as she did. She treats her voice as another instrument. And--of course--she performed Cry Me a River, which always wows me.

Sep 12, 2017 at 4:30 PM Permalink

Sun Valley Center for the Arts Wine Auction

For the second year in a row, Ed and I participated in the Sun Valley Wine Auction in Idaho. The three-day long program is an annual fundraising event for the Sun Valley Center for the Arts; proceeds from the Wine Auction make up 50% of the Center's budget and directly support programs in art education.

We were hardly off our flight into Sun Valley, when we attended a delicious pig roast at Trail Creek Lodge. The roast is informally called the magnum party, as we all contributed great magnums to go along with the roast pig.

We also poured wine for the trade and Auction attendees.

However, the main event was the Auction itself, first with a reception on the grounds of the Dollar Mountain Lodge, where we chatted with Marquis Piero Antinori, the honorary president of Antinori Wines (whose amazing winery we visited in Tuscany).

Next, the reception was followed by a delicious dinner inside an elegant tent while the Auction ensued. We were lucky enough to secure the winning bid for a wine-themed cruise beginning in October 2018, on the Sea Dream Yacht Club, starting out in Barcelona, and going on to the islands of Mallorca, Ibiza, Cartagena and Puerto Banus, and finishing in Gibralter and the port of Malaga, all along the way exploring the areas' vineyards and historic landmarks.  We'll become experts on Spanish wine (and some culture too).

We also secured a winning bid for a 3-liter bottle of 2014 Far Niente Cabernet Sauvignon and a tour and tasting of its winery here in Napa Valley. Can't wait for both experiences.

This year, we brought along our family to Sun Valley-- kids Kelly and Jeff and their 4-year old son Ian. We took a wonderful gondola and ski lift up Mount Baldy, where we hiked around and had lunch.

We also got to see grandson Ian ice skate for the first time at the Sun Valley Lodge's ice rink, home of the Olympic trials.

Looking forward to The Sun Valley Wine Auction 2018!

Aug 4, 2017 at 3:30 PM Permalink

Movie Night at Chappellet

Ed and I attended a movie night for the screening of Walk the Line, the 2005 Johnny Cash biopic, which won an Academy Award for Best Actress, Reese Witherspoon, and a Golden Globe for Best Actor, Joaquin Phoenix. The outdoor evening on the beautiful Chappellet grounds on Pritchard Hill was donated by Michelle and Robin Baggett; Blakesley and Cyril Chappellet; and Elaine and Rick Jones. To attend the event, all guests had made a generous donation at last year's St. Helena Hospital Foundation Gala at Silver Oak Cellars to raise money to help bring continued innovation to health care in the Napa Valley.

As we settled in on blankets and lawn chairs, we were being well fed with BBQ by grill chefs Robin Baggett and Cyril Chappellet. We all celebrated our inner cowboy while toasting to summer and the first new moon after the Solistice. The great wines were donated by Alpha Omega and Chappellet. Our favorite was a Chappellet Chardonnay.

Jul 10, 2017 at 10:06 PM Permalink

Wine Tasting in Mendocino

Last weekend, Ed and I took off for Mendocino, just a two-and-a-half-hour drive northwest of Calistoga. The drive there was beautiful, through the redwoods of Alexander Valley. The next day we returned to Alexander Valley for a day-long wine tasting exursion. Our driver took us to wineries of whose wines we'd heard, but never tasted. The first winery on our journey was Husch, which was also the most scenic.

Then we stopped at Navarro and Roderer Estate (known for its sparkling wines, although we ended up buying its Chardonnay). Our favorite winery was Toulouse (yes, as in Lautrec). We really liked its Pinot Noirs and its shopping opportunities: I bought a sweatshirt hoodie with the cute Toulouse duck logo on it, and Ed bought some great silver wine pourers in the shape of different animals.

We returned to our hotel, the historic MacCallum House Inn (est. 1882), for a rest before heading to Little River for a terrific dinner at Wildfish. To burn off the great food and wine, the next day we took a marvelous hike through the redwoods along an estuary.

Later, we checked out the town of Mendocino. One of the interesting features there was the water towers next to mostly every home, erected because the town never had a central water supply, only water wells. The water would be stored up in the top of the towers to create water pressure. There weren't many homes in Mendocino either, as the homes were all built out of wood; many of the original homes burned as there wasn't much water to put out the fires, and then (as now) only with a volunteer fire department. Another interesting feature was that, apart from the historic homes dating back to the late 1800s, the people there were a throwback to the 1960s. I expected to see Joan Baez and Bob Dylan strumming their songs there.

May 25, 2017 at 12:48 PM Permalink

San Francisco Food and Wine Society Luncheon

Ed and I recently spent a lovely Sunday afternoon on the Great Lawn in front of the historic carriage house of the Charles Krug winery. We were attending a luncheon hosted by the San Francisco Food and Wine Society, of which Ed is a member. Most of its events are only available to its male members, but I attended this one and others to which female guests are invited.

The Charles Krug Winery is the oldest winery in Napa Valley and was established in 1861 by Charles Krug. Its current owners and managers are Marc and Peter Mondavi, Jr., third generation, with five fourth generation children also involved in the business. Marc's daughter Alycia sat at our table, along with John Kehriotis, co-owner of the Sacramento Kings, and his family. Surprisingly, John knows our good friend Chris Kelly, also a co-owner of the Kings. Six degrees of separation!

During the reception, while sipping Krug Chardonnay and chatting with Katie Mondavi (Peter's wife), we witnessed a train (Napa Valley Wine Train) coming to a stop not very far from where we were standing, letting out folks heading to the Krug tasting room. And I thought only a river runs through it!

The delicious meal was paired with Krug wines. My favorite pairings were the steak main course with Charles Krug 1974 Cabernet Sauvignon. (See the photo of Ed and me holding the 3 liter bottle, signed by Peter, Sr., that we happily emptied out.)  My second favorite pairing was the rich chocolate dessert paired with Lot XX Zinfandel Port. We just had to bring two bottles of that home with us.

May 1, 2017 at 4:43 PM Permalink

Notre Dame Washington D.C. Symposium on National and Global Affairs

Every other year, Ed and I fly to Washington D.C. to attend Notre Dame University's symposium on government affairs. (Ed is an alum.) This year, less than 100 days into President Trump's inauguration, we attended briefings by politicians and officials on both sides of the aisle about what was going on in Washington: Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY and Senate Minority Leader); Lindsey Graham (R-SC); Marco Rubio (R-FL); Joe Donnelly (D-IN); and David Perdue (R-GA).  Speaker of the House Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI.) was interviewed by Bob Costa, National Political Reporter, The Washington Post. We also heard from General H.R. McMaster, National Security Advisor; Gary Cohn, Chairman of the National Economic Council; and Donald F. McGahn II, White House Counsel.

We heard views from the press in a panel discussion moderated by Mark Shields (PBS News Hour), which included Gerald Seib, Executive Washington Editor, The Wall Street Journal; Alexis Simendinger, White House Correspondent, Realclearpolitics; and Karen Tumulty, The Washington Post.

We were treated to a presentation from highly articulate and entertaining former Ambassador from Mexico Arturo Sarukhan. Of course, someone asked him about the wall.

Chuck Schumer and Paul Ryan were both speakers at this symposium two years ago and proved even more interesting this year. On a personal note, Schumer related how he grew up not too far from where I did in Brooklyn and managed to get himself out of going to a very good college--Brooklyn College--my alma mater, by snagging a basketball scholarship at Harvard. If I were only taller :-)

Briefings were held in wonderful Washington D.C. historic buildings: the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, The Library of Congress, and the Decatur House--all beautifully preserved.

While we were there, Ed and I also visited the new and fascinating African American Museum. We learned how slavery was established in Africa, as well as how every U.S. state at the time (not only those in the South) was dependent on slavery to support its economy :-(  We also visited the Newseum, a museum dedicated to journalism, and saw the special exhibit about how music, particularly rock 'n roll in the '60s, influenced journalism which, in turn, influenced politics.

All in all, we wish we didn't have to wait two more years to attend such a varied and interesting program and place. Who knows what Washington will be like then?

Apr 24, 2017 at 10:21 PM Permalink

Premiere Napa Valley

Late in February, Ed and I poured our 2014 Vineyard {511} Diamond Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon barrel samples at the 21st Annual Premiere Napa Valley barrel tasting and futures auction at the Culinary Institute of America in St. Helena. This was our second year at this event, which raises funds to support the vintners and charities in Napa Valley. Hosted by the Napa Valley Vintners, a non-profit organization, this year it raised $4.2 million. Bidding is open to wine-trade professionals (retailers, restauranteurs, and wholesalers), and their attendance is a wonderful way for the more than 200 vintners who participated to enhance their relationship with them. The lots were mostly 2015 cabernet sauvignon. The live auction is characterized by very lively bidding of very lively amounts. An example is the highest amount which went for $200,000 for 5 cases of 2014 Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon--or $3,333 per bottle! That's what I call bidding!

Twenty per cent of the lots were sold in an online auction, which raised almost $500,000 of the day's total sales. There was a greater emphasis this year on this part of the auction to enable trade bidders anywhere in the world to participate.This is where Ed and I donated our 5 cases, which were successfully bid on by John York, owner of the San Francisco '49ers. John sampled our wine while bonding with Ed as two alums from Notre Dame University. We welcome our newest friend and fan of Vineyard {511}!

Mar 9, 2017 at 10:17 AM Permalink

Cabernet for Connoisseurs

On Saturday, February 12, Ed and I attended the 22nd Annual Cabernet Tasting, Dinner and Auction, at the St. Regis Hotel, to benefit the Family House in San Francisco. The Family House is a non-profit organization, founded in 1981, to provide much needed, free temporary housing for the families of seriously ill kids receiving treatment for cancer and other life-threatening illnesses, at the University of California Benioff Children's Center. The low-income families must live at least 50 miles away and, because of this benefit, are able to provide physical comfort and emotional support for their children during a critical time of their young lives. The Family House serves over 3000 families a year.

At this "Cabernet for Connoisseurs" event, we poured our 2012 Vineyard {511} Diamond Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon along with 58 other vintners, who also poured their Cabernet. Over 350 guests attended the event which included, along with the wine tasting, a delicious steak dinner and silent and live auctions to raise much needed funds for the ill children.

Feb 17, 2017 at 4:45 PM Permalink

Cruising the South Pacific Islands

Ed and I welcomed in 2017 aboard the Paul Gauguin cruise ship in the Society Islands in the South Pacific. We joined Jeff and Darice O'Neill of Ram's Gate Winery, who hosted a group of 21, which included their friends and family--all wine lovers. They generously provided their delicious wines for all of our receptions and dinners, plus a Ram's Gate Wine Seminar and Tasting for guests of the whole ship. We also shared some of our Vineyard {511} 2012 Diamond Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon at one of the dinners. Everyone loved it!

During the cruise we visited the islands of Huahine, Taha'a, Bora Bora, Moorea and Tahiti. We toured the islands to learn about the culture of the islanders, had beach barbeques on private motus (small islands), snorkled to see lemon sharks and manterays, and had sunset cruises on a catamaran.

It was great to escape the (much needed) rain in California. 

Feb 1, 2017 at 5:40 PM Permalink

Napa Valley Film Festival

Earlier this month, the 6th annual Napa Valley Film Festival (NVFF) kicked off a week of 120 prestigious screenings with celebrities, culinary demonstrations, wine tastings, winery dinners, industry panels, and parties in 13 venues up down the picturesque four villages of Napa Valley--Napa, Yountville, St. Helena, and Calistoga. Additionally, in fulfilling its mission as a non-profit organization, the Festival brought hundreds of Napa County students to the Lincoln Theater to screenings of documentaries to inspire them about the art of independent filmmaking.

On opening night, Lion, starring Dev Patel (Slumdog Millionaire, the 2 Best Exotic Marigold Hotel films) and starring Nicole Kidman, screened at the Napa's Uptown Theater. Based on Saroo Brierley's best selling memoir, Lion tells the story of an Indian (convincingly played by Patel), living in Australia with his adoptive parents (the mom being Nicole Kidman), who, as an adult, yearns to find his brother and biological mother, from whom he was separated at 5 years old in a train station in India; and Patel's character returns to India to do just that. In the Q and A following the film, Patel explained that he, himself, traveled back to India with Saroo, the Indian man he portrayed in the film, to meet the real biological mother. After the film, Ed and I chatted with Patel, a charming and gracious young actor at the Festival's opening night party at Michael Chiarello's Ottimo, which is somewhat like Eataly in New York City, with food, wine and coffee stations.

The next morning, Ed headed over to a major sponsor of NVFF, Meadowood, to participate on a panel for the Artists-in-Residence Master Classes. For the fifth consecutive year, the directors of the twenty films in the Narrative Features and Documentary Features Competitions stayed at the luxury Meadowood resort. (And were they thrilled about that!) Meadowood also sponsors the $10,000 in cash prizes presented at Saturday evening's Awards Ceremony to the filmmakers whose films are chosen by the NVFF jury as Best Narrative Feature (won by Heaven's Floor, directed by Lori Stoll), and to best documentary feature (won by Big Sonia, directed by Leah Worshawski).

While Ed was on the panel, I headed over to the oldest movie theater in the U.S., St. Helena's Cameo Theater, for a screening of Elle, starring French film star Isabelle Huppert and directed by provocative and controversial Paul Verhoeven (Basic Instinct). The film was disturbing, strange and so interesting that I couldn't stop thinking about it, and later that day a light bulb went on over my head and I finally thought I got it. Maybe.

On Thursday, I attended Variety's 10 to Taste at the Napa Riverfront, where innovative Bay Area student chefs showcased their fresh spin on dishes inspired by iconic film scenes. Their dishes were paired with 10 wines from Terlato Family Wineries. Just following,  restauranteur (Cafeteria in N.Y.C.) and T.V. star (The Food Network) Chef Tyler Florence headed up a panel, which also included actress Madelaine Zima, (Californication) to discuss the dishes and their experiences in the culinary world.

Afterwards, I headed over to the Lincoln Theater in Yountville, to hear Matthew McConaughey in an entertaining Q and A. We heard how McConaughey had taken two walkabouts by himself in the wilds. He looked great, as he had gained back all the weight he had lost for his award-winning performance in the Dallas Buyers Club. I was lucky to meet McConaughey when, after I introduced myself to him, he introduced himself to me with his first and last name. Really. I didn't know that :-)

That evening, I went back to the Lincoln Theater for the Celebrity Tribute Awards, where Natalie Morales (Access Hollywood), interviewed filmmmaker Lee Daniels (Precious, Lee Daniels The Butler), Actor Kurt Russell (Overboard, Backdraft, Deepwater Horizon), Actor Viggo Mortensen (Eastern Promises, Lord of the Rings, Captain Fantastic), Actor Dev Patel (Slumdog Millionaire, Lion), Actors Glen Powell and Zoey Deutch, who were honored as up-and-coming stars. After the awards were presented (big bottles of wine), we had a photo shoot with the stars and a dinner there under a tent with a delicious meal catered by Meadowood. I sat at a table with Festival sponsor Peter Mondavi, Jr. and his wife Katie and drank some of their great Reserve Charles Krug Cabernet Sauvignon, and chatted with Viggo Mortensen.

On Friday night, Ed and I attended a screening of Mortensen's Captain Fantastic, which was fantastic! Then we headed over to Meadowood for a wonderful dinner in a tent on the croquet court, where we sat next to Kurt Russell. I was hoping his partner actress Goldie Hawn would have been there, but their son Wyatt Russell (22 Jump Street) was also at our table.

Saturday night we attended the Festival Gala at the Lincoln Theater and tasted some of Bob Hurley's decadent wild boar over polenta and Model Bakery's duck confit appetizers. Yummy.

Sunday night--closing night--we went to a screening of Miss Sloan, starring fabulous actress Jessica Chastain, who plays a political lobbyist in Washington D.C. and, as the director John Madden (Shakespear in Love, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel) said in the Q and A, this was a great female role, not a housewife, mother or sister. Just a strong woman. Although we had chosen to see Miss Sloan, the other film screening at the same time was Pisco Punch. After our screening, we headed to the Festival Wrap Party on the Napa Riverfront, where we sampled the delicious pisco punch. And sampled it again.

Ed and I are founding patrons of and are on the Board of Directors of the Festival, so have the opportunity to experience the best it has to offer. But many other Patrons shared our favorite screenings and events. We urge you become Patrons too. Tickets are already on sale for 2017. Save the date: November 8-12, 2017.

See you at the movies!

Nov 22, 2016 at 4:04 PM Permalink