Big Bottles and Big Fun
Napa and Sonoma "Bring Your Own Magnum" parties kick off auction week
Auction Napa Valley's four-day annual event is a big draw to Northern California's wine country. But the revelry starts earlier in the week, with industry insiders attending Wine Spectator's annual Bring Your Own Magnum parties, held on consecutive evenings in Sonoma and Napa.
The first gathering was Tuesday night at the Hotel Healdsburg and adjacent Dry Creek Kitchen in Healdsburg. About 300 guests attended, including Gina Gallo, Adam and Dianna Lee of Siduri and Novy, Williams Selyem winemaker Bob Cabral, Dan Kosta and Michael Browne of Kosta Browne, Jamie Kutch, Ryan Zepaltas, Ed Sbragia, Marimar Torres and Merry Edwards.
Cool weather and clear skies welcomed attendees, as did an impressive collection of both food and wine. Chef Charlie Palmer, owner of Dry Creek Kitchen, manned the grill (with the help of two of his sons clad in chef's whites) where he served a culinary bonanza, including jerk-rubbed organic chicken, grilled tri-tip paired with truffle or honey-lavender mustards, oyster shooters and a rich goat cheese tart.
Sonoma winemakers mingled and sampled each other's wines, a who's who of sought-after bottlings, such as Carlisle Zinfandel 2007, Kosta Browne Kanzler Pinot Noir 2007, and Papapietro Perry Russian River Zinfandel 2004. Dry Creek Vineyards owner Kim Stare Wallace brought in a bottle of 1974 Dry Creek Zinfandel, wrapped in a brown paper bag so guests could play "mystery wine." (Stare Wallace reported later that no one guessed right, but Wine Spectator senior editor James Laube came closest, correctly guessing the vintage.)
After the sun went down and the breeze picked up, some guests moved inside to warm up with coffee and a wide selection of deserts—including bite-size ice cream sandwiches—while others puffed on cigars under the stars and watched the growing number of participants on the dance floor.
The Napa party, held Wednesday at St. Helena's Tra Vigne restaurant, is usually known for a larger and more amped-up crowd. About 600 wine industry members attended, including Margrit Biever Mondavi, Tim and Michael Mondavi, Bill Harlan of Harlan Estate and Bond, Naoka Dalla Valle, Garen and Shari Staglin and Chuck Wagner of Caymus. Also in attendance was visiting Tuscan vintner Piero Antinori, whose family owns a property in Napa's Atlas Peak region.
The guests brought magnums of their wines to share, and wine lovers made their way between five different pouring stations to sample the offerings, which also included sought-after names like Merus, Gemstone, Paloma, Hall and Delectus.
For the vintners, the evening's highlight was the opportunity to circulate among themselves. Many remarked that it's the only time they gather when they're not working. "I look forward to this party all year," said Gemstone founder Suzie Frank. "It's the one time when we're all in the same place, and we get to sit down and catch up."
There was no shortage of food, which seemed to come from every corner, including gourmet pizzas, bacon-wrapped scallops, pastas, freshly made beignets and gelato scooped out of an ice bar, including a basil-chocolate chip flavor that guests were buzzing about.
Mingling, noshing, people watching and wine scouting weren't the only entertainment that night. There was also a live band tempting people to dance, and cigars to enjoy.
But the best feature was the crowd itself. Asked what she liked best about the party, Diamond Creek's Boots Brounstein exclaimed, "Everyone's here!"
Geneviève and Luc Janssens of Robert Mondavi Winery, Tim Mondavi and his daughter Carissa arrive for the Napa party. |
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Charlie, Reed and Eric Palmer man the grill at Palmer's Dry Creek Kitchen in Healdsburg, site of Tuesday's Sonoma party. |
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Mick Schroeter of Geyser Peak with Adelina and Ulises Valdez of Valdez Family Winery. |
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Eleni Papadakis, winemaker at Domaine Serene, with owner Grace Evenstad of Domaine Serene, Jon and Robin Lail of Lail Vineyards, and Ken Evenstad. |
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Hi Sang Lee (left) and Jae M. Chun (right) of Dana Estates with Bill and Deborah Harlan of Harlan Estate. |
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Bob Cabral of Williams Selyem and Dan Kosta of Kosta Browne. |
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Michael Mondavi. |
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Chuck Wagner of Caymus Vineyards, Nicolle Cothran, Carol and Dan Baker of Korbel. |
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Piero Antinori and Agustin Huneeus Sr. of Quintessa. |
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Jean-Charles Boisset of Boisset Family Estates with Gina Gallo. |
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Walt Klenz, former managing director of Beringer Blass Wine Estates, Hazel Shanken, Marvin Shanken, Sylvia Klenz and Abbey Cook. |
