Magnum-Size Fun
Wine Spectator's 2008 Bring Your Own Magnum parties in Napa and Sonoma brought out top winemakers
Every year, Auction Napa Valley draws the biggest names in the wine industry for a four-day celebration filled with dinners and tastings. But before this year's official auction hoopla kicked off, old vintner friends and a younger generation of winemakers gathered to enjoy great wine, food and company at Wine Spectator's annual Bring Your Own Magnum parties, held on consecutive evenings in Sonoma and Napa this week.
Cool breezes blanketed Sonoma on Tuesday night, but didn't chill the spirits of the hundreds of guests who brought magnums to Charlie Palmer's Hotel Healdsburg and adjacent Dry Creek Kitchen. The crowd included Gina and Matt Gallo, Merry Edwards, Adam Lee of Siduri, Carlisle's Mike Officer, Russell Bevan of Bevan Cellars, Dan Kosta of Kosta Browne, Tom Klein of Rodney Strong, John Dyson of Williams Selyem, Marimar Torres and Barry and Audrey Sterling of Iron Horse.
Chef Palmer and his staff amazed the crowd with tasty food, from oyster shooters to mini-Kobe beef and foie gras burgers, pizza and pulled-pork tacos. Palmer personally carved spit-roasted Kurobuta ham, while his 10-year-old twin sons, Reed and Eric, passed out hand-spun cotton candy.
Guests mingled and sampled each other's wines. Sonoma winemakers brought out their best Pinot Noirs, with offerings from both benchmark producers like Williams Selyem and Martinelli as well as newcomers such as Kosta Browne, Kutch, Londer and Papapietro Perry. Also on hand were choice bottlings from Mazzocco, Seghesio, A. Rafanelli and Carlisle. Alcina proprietor Greg Piatigorski shook his head in amazement at all the choices. "I don't know where to begin," he said.
As the sun set and the wind persisted, some found themselves staying warm on the dance floor, rocking out to hits from the '80s by AC/DC and Journey. When the band played "You Shook Me All Night Long," spirited attendees could be seen rocking out on inflatable "air" guitars.
Wednesday night at the Napa magnum party, many of the valley's top names gathered at St. Helena's Tra Vigne restaurant, including Bill Harlan, Naoko Dalla Valle, Ed Sbragia of Beringer, Doug and John Shafer, Kathryn Hall, Philippe Melka, Bill Phelps and Garen and Shari Staglin.
The Napa vintners were gearing up for Auction Napa Valley, discussing the impending crush of dinners and events, but the party provided a chance to relax and socialize first. "We hardly ever get together, and there are so many of us here at once," said Pat Stotesbery of Ladera.
Being a Napa party, red wines flowed, including sought-after bottlings from Harlan, Araujo, Shafer, Merus, Gemstone, Paloma, Scarecrow, Lewis, Delectus, Schrader and Staglin. Guests enjoyed various pastas, braised oxtail, polenta, wood-fired pizzas and gelato from a bar carved out of ice. Most preferred to mingle on the patio, enjoying the evening's warm air.
Sadly, one notable guest was absent—Robert Mondavi passed away last month. Mondavi, who helped found Auction Napa Valley, had attended every one of Wine Spectator's previous 20 Bring Your Own Magnum parties. His widow, Margrit, showed up, accompanied by Tim Mondavi and Delia Viader, and was surrounded by well-wishers.
As the night grew late, some guests hit the dance floor, while others smoked cigars under the stars. Winemaker Mia Klein expressed her gratitude that for one night, the wine industry was able to relax and enjoy each other's company and wines. "What a great event," she said with a huge smile.
Photographs by Kent Hanson
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Michael Heintz of Gallo, Lisa Groom, Matt Gallo, former Geyser Peak winemaker Daryl Groom and Gina Gallo.
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Chef Charlie Palmer and Barry and Audrey Sterling of Iron Horse.
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Delia Viader of Viader, Tim Mondavi and Margrit Mondavi.
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Sarah Quider of Ferrari-Carano, Ken Coopersmith of Merry Edwards Wines, Merry Edwards, Bob Cabral of Williams Selyem and Heather Cabral.
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Shari and Garen Staglin of Staglin Family Vineyard.
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Eva Bertran of Gloria Ferrer checks out the selections.
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Adam Sbragia of Sbragia Family Vineyards, Ed Sbragia and Dan Kosta of Kosta Browne.
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Bob Cooley of Landmark, Tom Klein of Rodney Strong and Gary Heck of Korbel.
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Cathy Seghesio and Julianna Martinelli with Dave Martin's House Party.
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Fred Schrader of Schrader Cellars, Andy Beckstoffer of Beckstoffer Vineyards and Thomas Brown of Schrader Cellars.
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