The Nashville Wine Auction is pleased to announce the 37^th Annual l’Eté du Vin, “Generations of Greatness” which took place from July 28-July 30, 2016 with Special Guest of Honor, Gaia Gaja, raised a record breaking $930,000 to fund the fight against cancer. The co-chairs – the self proclaimed “Three Cheers” – for l’Eté du Vin this year were Kimberly Cooper, Marjorie Feltus-Hawkins and Pam Taylor.

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Future of California Winemaking Collectible

With their successes at PlumpJack and CADE Estate Wineries, Partners Gavin Newson, Gordon Getty and John Conover purchased a historic property in the Stags Leap District in 2011.

Odette is a fabled princess… a mistress…a judge…a heroine. Odette is both of antiquity and modernity. She encapsulates the inspiration for the property – femininity, strength and power. Odette was a pivotal character, penned by Shakespeare and Proust, and also in Tchaikovsky’s ballet Swan Lake. In the wine world, Odette was the name of one of the French judges at the Paris Wine Tasting of 1976 when a red wine from Stags Leap District beat out the French competition to take top honors.

The estate is a shining example of organic winemaking from start to finish. The small, state-of-the-art winery building, is just one of just a handful of wineries to feature a living green roof, planted to grasses and plants. In addition to the vegetation, the roof also contains 2,500 square feet of solar panels. The winemaking laboratory, constructed from recycled shipping containers from China, is the only one of its kind in the Napa Valley.

The man at the helm in this winemaking lab, Jeff Owens, has been with the PlumpJack Group since 2006, working as assistant winemaker at CADE Estate, Owens would become winemaker for Odette Estate. Owens would make history in 2015, scoring a perfect 100 points by the Wine Advocate with Odette Estate’s inaugural release – the first winemaker to do so in an inaugural release and the first wine to be bottled under a screwcap.

Odette wines express the feminine quality of Stags Leap District Cabernets, and they are a shining example of this beloved region. Odette is a breath of fresh air and, with its contemporary architecture and design paired with a contemporary stance on environmental responsibility, Odette is symbolic of the future of Stags Leap.

Experience wines from Odette Estate Winery at Nashville Wine Auction’s 38th Annual l’Eté du Vin, California Collectibles.  Registration is now open.

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Above the Fog Line Collectible   

In 2005, John Conover, Gavin Newsom and Gordon Getty founded CADE Estate Winery on Howell Mountain as a complement to the valley floor terroir of PlumpJack Winery. Like PlumpJack, CADE takes its name from Shakespeare, who used the term to refer to the wine casks—or cades—used to transport wine from Bordeaux to England in Elizabethan times.

With a shared vision, Gavin Newsom, Gordon Getty and John Conover imagined the addition of a complementary estate vineyard to the valley floor terroir of their Oakville estate at PlumpJack Estate Winery.  In 2005, that dream came to fruition in the form of a 54-acre estate, elevated high above the fog line, on the dramatic slopes of Howell Mountain – it would become CADE Estate Winery.

Given the opportunity to build the winery from the ground up, Newsom, Getty and Conover were committed to constructing a state-of-the-art winery that would pay tribute to the land, both aesthetically and ecologically. This commitment would go above and beyond the standard benchmark of environmental responsibility, especially in the world of wine. Every detail of the winery, from the shape of the cellar to the natural insulation of the caves, supports winemaking that brings out the personality of the unique terroir.

Today, Winemaker Danielle Cyrot continues to craft high elevation Cabernet Sauvignon that articulates the intense, powerful character of our estate while maintaining a balance of mountain fruit, firm acidity and judicious oak for layered, complex wines that reflect approachability and age ability – this nuanced, artisanal expression that is referred to as Modern Howell Mountain.

Experience wines from CADE Estate Winery at Nashville Wine Auction’s 38th Annual l’Eté du Vin, California Collectibles.  Registration is now open.

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NASHVILLE, TENN. – May 16, 2017 – Noted Nashville entrepreneur and nationally recognized wine collector Tom Black will receive the 2017 Norman M. Lipman Award presented by the Nashville Wine Auction. The presentation will take place during the Grand Cru Evening on June 22, the first of four annual l’Eté du Vin events.

“l’Eté du Vin is one of the nation’s top wine auctions because people like Tom Black are generous with their time, their vast networks and their amazing wine cellars,” said Holly Whaley, Nashville Wine Auction president and CEO. “We are proud to honor Tom at the upcoming Grand Cru. We will also reveal a preview to the auction, introduce this year’s cancer-fighting beneficiaries, and recognize our top wine donors in the Grand Cru Guild.”

With a cellar at one time consisting of more than 60,000 bottles of great wine, Black has formed one of the largest and most well-rounded collections in the in the United Sates.  He also makes two wines with Jim Clendenen of Au Bon Climate only made available through charity wine auctions like Nashville Wine Auction.

Tom Black has a long track record of success as a business leader in the banking industry.  He has led several top companies, providing innovative marketing and technology solutions for the industry.  If you’ve ever used an ATM, signed up for a premium checking bank account, or have seen images of your checks on your bank statement, then you’ve seen some of Tom Black’s handiwork.

Tom has been a co-founder of founder of several start-ups, 3 of which he helped take public.  Currently he runs the Tom Black Center for Excellence which customizes sales training and coaching services for companies of all sizes.  He was written several books including the wildly popular Boxcar Millionaire.

In addition to Tom’s love for business, he is equally, if not more, passionate about wine.  After a weekend trip to Napa Valley in 1986, Tom fell in love with wine, and has not looked back since. Tom has been a National Board member in the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, a Chambellan in the Ordre de Côuteaux, the highest rank a non-Champagne producer can achieve, and was chosen as one of six collectors to participate in the Millennium wine project for the Smithsonian Institute.  He has written over 200 published articles on wine and has a free wine app (TomBlackWine.com).

As one of the world’s most knowledgeable and well-known wine experts, Tom Black has been featured in international food and wine magazines and is highly respected among celebrity chefs and winemakers alike.  Using his passion for wine as a cause, Tom has raised millions of dollars for charities across the country.  Tom Black’s knowledge of wine and generous spirit has made him a favorite son of the wine community in Nashville and a gentleman worthy of the Norman M. Lipman Award.

Christi and James Edwards will host the Grand Cru in their home in Belle Meade. The event is the first opportunity to preview some of the top auction lots and learn more about the Nashville Wine Auction’s eight cancer-fighting beneficiaries. Tickets are $250 and available at www.NashvilleWineAuction.com.

ABOUT NORMAN LIPMAN: Norman Lipman is remembered by many as a generous humanitarian and a national leader of the wine and spirits industry.  He was a founder and zealous supporter of l’Eté du Vin, the country’s oldest charity wine auction. Lipman left a legacy of success, and Nashville Wine Auction has raised more than $21 million in support of its charitable beneficiaries and the fight against cancer since 1980.

Though his triumphs are unforgettable, Lipman always identified, celebrated and fostered the achievement of others. The award is presented annually in Lipman’s memory and in recognition of individuals who have embraced the humanitarian qualities of wisdom, courage, optimism, commitment and integrity in their personal and professional lives. To continue his tradition of encouragement, nominators are asked to name a person they feel is especially worthy of recognition for his or her positive personal attributes.

ABOUT THE NORMAN M. LIPMAN AWARD: The public commemoration of the Norman Lipman Award is a specially commissioned sculpture, Man of Love and Wisdom, by Tennessee artist Terry Williams. The twelve-foot, steel sculpture features a figure striding forward to offer assistance with his hand stretched out in compassion.  An owl, the ancient symbol of divine perception and wisdom, rests on his shoulder. It is on permanent loan to Saint Thomas West Hospital in Nashville where Norman Lipman received treatment and comfort during his final illness. The sculpture is housed in a private atrium where the families of cancer patients can retire for peace and reflection.

Past recipients have included leading figures from the wine and spirits industry, as well as private individuals noted for their love of wine and their respect for those who produce it, such as Robert Mondavi, Marvin L. Shanken, Jim Clendenen and Billy Ray Hearn. Last year’s recipient was Kix Brooks. Each recipient of the Norman M. Lipman Award receives a steel replica of the owl from Man of Love and Wisdom, as a unique recognition of his or her achievement.

ABOUT NASHVILLE WINE AUCTION: Nashville Wine Auction’s mission is to unite the wine community to fund the fight against cancer. Throughout the year, Nashville Wine Auction hosts four major events – Pairings: Nashville’s Ultimate Wine and Food Weekend, l’Eté du Vin: The Country’s Longest Running Charity Wine Auction, Champagne and Chardonnay: A Sparkling Evening Just for Ladies and The Men’s Event: Honoring the Life and Spirit of Billy Ray Hearn. Established in 1980, the Nashville Wine Auction has raised more than $21 million for organizations whose purpose is directly related to treatment, patient care and eradication of cancer here in Middle Tennessee. The 2017 list of beneficiaries includes the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge, Gilda’s Club Nashville, Leukemia Lymphoma Society, Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Middle Tennessee, PearlPoint Cancer Support, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Saint Thomas Cancer Network, and St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

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Nashville’s “Best Women’s Party” to be held at private home in Brentwood

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Aug. 30, 2017 – The Nashville Wine Auction will hold the seventh annual Champagne & Chardonnay: A Sparkling Evening Just for Ladies on Oct. 5, 2017 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the home of Caroline and Brandon Jenkins in Brentwood. Also on the same evening, the male counterpart of this fundraising event, The Men’s Event: Honoring the Life and Spirit of Billy Ray Hearn, will be held at Nashville’s elegant Prima Restaurant at 6:30 p.m.

Named Nashville’s “Best Women’s Party” in Nfocus Magazine’s readers’ poll for the past three years, Champagne & Chardonnay is an exclusive cocktail party where ladies will enjoy a beautiful evening with their girlfriends while raising money to fund the fight against cancer. Co-Chaired this year by Renée Chevalier and Rose Grindstaff, the event will feature a Sparkling Silent Auction filled with fine wine, unique wine experiences and other luxury items.

The Men’s Event was started in 2015 and has since become a highly anticipated dinner event for gentlemen who enjoy red wine, big steaks and are eager to support the Nashville Wine Auction’s mission of raising money to fund the fight against cancer. The culinary team at Prima creates an exceptional five-course dinner for the attendees, and it is always a hit.

“The Nashville community is so passionate about wine and fighting cancer — and they continue to support our events with enthusiastic generosity,” said Holly Whaley, President/CEO of the Nashville Wine Auction. “Champagne & Chardonnay has become THE event for women who love a fun evening of good wine and friendship while raising valuable funds. As a result, the men requested an equally appealing event for them, so we started The Men’s Event and it continues to grow in popularity each year.”

The wines for the evening are generously donated by The Wine Shoppe at Green Hills. Guests of Champagne & Chardonnay will enjoy a premier selection of champagne and chardonnay alongside passed hors d’oeuvres. In addition, ladies will be treated to a mingling style fashion show from Dillard’s at the Mall at Green Hills as well as a chance to purchase fashion accessories and cosmetics.

The men will enjoy sharing favorite wines from their cellars as well as wines from Blackbird Vineyards, Mount Brave Wines, Jean Luc Joillot, Phifer Pavitt and Black by Black.

People interested in making a reservation to either of the two events may call the Nashville Wine Auction office at 615.329.1760 or visit www.NashvilleWineAuction.com. Tickets to Champagne & Chardonnay are $125 per person and include wine tastings and hors d’oeuvres. Every prior Champagne &Chardonnay event has sold out well in advance. Tickets to The Men’s Event are $250 per person and includes cocktail reception and a decadent five-course dinner prepared by Prima’s award-winning chefs.

Sponsors for Champagne & Chardonnay include Saint Thomas Cancer Care, BreatheEasy Respiratory Solutions Inc., First Tennessee Bank, Hiller Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electric, Plastic Surgery Center of Nashville, Mark B. Whaley DDS, Grove Park Construction, Wine Shoppe at Green Hills, Dillard’s at The Mall at Green Hills and Nothing Bundt Cakes. Sponsors for The Men’s Event include Saint Thomas Cancer Care, Prima and Delta Dental.

“Saint Thomas is a long-time Nashville Wine Auction supporter and partner in our mission to fight cancer,” said Whaley. “We are pleased to have them involved in both events this year.” St. Thomas Cancer Care’s patient-centered approach of innovative cancer treatments, integrated therapies and comprehensive education and prevention is giving hope to thousands of patients across Middle Tennessee and winning the war against cancer — one life at a time.

The names of the women on the host committee for Champagne & Chardonnay can be found at https://nashvillewineauction.com/champagne-and-chardonnay/.

ABOUT NASHVILLE WINE AUCTION: Nashville Wine Auction’s mission is to unite the wine community to fund the fight against cancer. Throughout the year, Nashville Wine Auction hosts four major events – Pairings: Nashville’s Ultimate Wine and Food Weekend, l’Eté du Vin: The Country’s Longest Running Charity Wine Auction, Champagne & Chardonnay: A Sparkling Evening Just for Ladies and The Men’s Event: Honoring the Life and Spirit of Billy Ray Hearn. Established in 1980, the Nashville Wine Auction has raised more than $22 million for organizations whose purpose is directly related to treatment, patient care and eradication of cancer here in Middle Tennessee. The 2017 list of beneficiaries includes the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge, Gilda’s Club Middle Tennessee, Leukemia Lymphoma Society, Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Middle Tennessee, PearlPoint Cancer Support, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Saint Thomas Cancer Care Network, and St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Nov. 28, 2017 – The Nashville Wine Auction is excited to announce that Pairings: Nashville’s Ultimate Wine and Food Weekend will take place on February 22-24, 2018. Pairings is a three-day celebration of the unique relationship between exceptional wine and delicious food. This year’s Pairings will feature a partnership of chefs from Nashville and New Orleans.

“Pairings has an event for everyone – whether you like intimate events with a dozen people or a six-course dinner with hundreds of wine enthusiasts,” said Holly Whaley, President/CEO of Nashville Wine Auction. “All you need is a passion for exceptional wine and food. I’m so grateful to the chefs from Nashville and New Orleans and the two dozen West Coast winemakers who are helping the Nashville Wine Auction fund the fight against cancer.”

Pairings is chaired by Virginia and Stan Kweller; Melinda and Eddie Wayland; and Mary Fetsch and Dan Burchfield.

The celebration will begin with Private Vintner Dinners on Thursday, Feb. 22. Attendees will choose from 13 intimate dinners featuring winemakers at restaurants and private homes throughout Nashville. These special dinners will allow attendees an opportunity to meet winemakers and enjoy outstanding multi-course meals from Nashville chefs. The Private Vintner Dinners are chaired by Melanie Cansler and Jodi Pfaff Gillman.

Wined Up! will take place Friday, Feb. 23, at City Winery. Attendees will have the opportunity to taste curated wines from 24 featured West Coast wineries along with specialty small plates prepared by visiting chefs from New Orleans. The Silent Auction will feature 125 lots of fine wines and luxury items.

Nashville’s “Ultimate Wine and Food Weekend” will culminate on Saturday, Feb. 24, with the Pairings Gourmet Dinner and Live Auction. Nashville chefs will team up with chefs from New Orleans to create a six-course menu perfectly paired with wines from featured vintners. The live auction, once again hosted by auctioneer Charles Antin from Zachy’s, will include fine wines, unique dinners and tastings, one-of-a-kind trips and luxury items.

To make reservations, please visit http://www.nashvillewineauction.com/pairings or call 615-329-1760.

PARTICIPATING WINERIES: Blackbird Vineyards, Donelan Family Wines, Kistler Vineyards, Terra Valentine Winery, Foretell Wines, William Cole Vineyards, Bougetz Cellars, Byron Wines, D.R. Stephens Estate, Gamble Family Vineyards, Phifer Pavitt Winery, Amici Cellars, Arrington Vineyards, Darioush,  Giornata, Harumph Wines, Hirsch Vineyards, HUNNICUTT, J. Bookwalter, Northstar Winery, Patel Napa Valley, Somnium, Saint Helena Winery, Spire Collection, Williams Selyem Winery.

Nashville Wine Auction Beneficiaries: American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge, Gilda’s Club Middle Tennessee , Leukemia Lymphoma Society, Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Middle Tennessee, PearlPoint Cancer Support, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Saint Thomas Cancer Network and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

ABOUT NASHVILLE WINE AUCTION: Nashville Wine Auction’s mission is to unite the wine community to fund the fight against cancer. Throughout the year, Nashville Wine Auction hosts four major events – Pairings: The Ultimate Wine and Food Weekend, l’Eté du Vin: The Country’s Longest Running Charity Wine Auction, Champagne and Chardonnay: A Sparkling Evening Just for Ladies and The Men’s Event: Honoring the Life and Spirit of Billy Ray Hearn. Established in 1980, the Nashville Wine Auction has raised more than $23 million for organizations whose purpose is directly related to treatment, patient care and eradication of cancer here in Middle Tennessee.

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. –  The Nashville Wine Auction announces the featured wineries and chefs that will be part of Pairings: Nashville’s Ultimate Wine and Food Weekend taking place on February 22-24, 2018. Pairings is a three-day celebration of the unique relationship between exceptional wine and delicious food. This year’s Pairings will feature a partnership of chefs from Nashville and New Orleans.

“Pairings has an event for everyone – whether you like intimate events with a dozen people or a six-course dinner with hundreds of wine enthusiasts,” said Holly Whaley, President/CEO of Nashville Wine Auction. “All you need is a passion for exceptional wine and food. I’m so grateful to the chefs from Nashville and New Orleans and the two dozen West Coast winemakers who are helping the Nashville Wine Auction fund the fight against cancer.”

Winery List for the Pairings events.
All 26 vintners listed below will be part of Wined Up! On Friday night.
+Wineries featured at Private Vintner Dinners Thursday night
*Wineries featured Saturday Night

• Arrington Vineyards
• Blackbird Vineyards+*
• Bougetz Cellars*
• Broadside
• Byron Winery+*
• Darioush+
• Donelan Family Wines+*
• R. Stephens Estate+*
• Foretell Wines
• Gamble Family Vineyards+*
• Giornata+
• Harumph Wines
• Hirsch Vineyards+
• HUNNICUTT
• Bookwalter
• Kistler Vineyards+*
• Northstar
• PATEL Napa Valley+
• Phifer Pavitt Winery+*
• Relic Wine Cellars
• Saint Helena Winery+
• Somnium Wine
• Spire Collection*
• Terra Valentine Winery+*
• William Cole Vineyards+*
• Williams Selyem+

The three visiting New Orleans chefs are featured at Wined Up! on Friday. Both the Nashville chefs and the New Orleans chefs will be featured on Saturday night at the Pairings dinner.

Featured Chefs from New Orleans

• Aaron Burgau, Patois & Central City BBQ
• Alex Harrell, Angeline
• Brian Landry, Borgne

Featured Nashville Chefs

• Nathan Duensing, Marsh House
• Garrett Pittler, City Winery
• Levon Wallace, Gray & Dudley

Pairings is chaired by Virginia and Stan Kweller; Melinda and Eddie Wayland; and Mary Fetsch and Dan Burchfield.

The celebration will begin with Private Vintner Dinners on Thursday, Feb. 22. Attendees will choose from 13 intimate dinners featuring winemakers at private homes throughout Nashville. These special dinners will allow attendees an opportunity to meet winemakers and enjoy outstanding multi-course meals from Nashville chefs. The Private Vintner Dinners are chaired by Melanie Cansler and Jodi Pfaff Gillman.

Wined Up! will take place Friday, Feb. 23, at City Winery. Attendees will have the opportunity to taste curated wines from 26 featured West Coast wineries along with specialty small plates prepared by visiting chefs from New Orleans. The Silent Auction will feature more than 100 lots of fine wines and luxury items.

Nashville’s “Ultimate Wine and Food Weekend” will culminate on Saturday, Feb. 24, with the Pairings Gourmet Dinner and Live Auction. Nashville chefs will team up with chefs from New Orleans to create a six-course menu perfectly paired with wines from featured vintners. The live auction, once again hosted by auctioneer Charles Antin from Zachys, will include fine wines, unique dinners and tastings, one-of-a-kind trips and luxury items.

A few of the featured auction items this year include:

The Perfect Pair, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
20 lucky bidders will join Pam and Steve Taylor for an afternoon of perfectly paired Pinot Noir and Chardonnay at Union Common. An experience you won’t want to miss!

William Cole – Back for More!
Kristen and Brian Junghans are teaming up with William Cole for a repeat performance in their home for 10 couples. Second chances don’t come around often, so make plans to bid for this stellar line up of food, wine and good times with William Cole and the Junghans!

“Take Me to Your Liter! Large Format Party”
Join us for an evening of large fun! This event features more than 10 different California varietals including Schramsberg, Chappellet, Merry Edwards and Arietta in 1.5L, 3L, 6L and 9L large format bottles. This party is for 50, so gather your friends and make sure to sign up for a large time!

Experience the Wonder of Walla Walla
Visit the impressive wine scene in Walla Walla, WA in this exciting fi ve-day trip for four. Itinerary includes Woodward Canyon, Northstar, L’Ecole No. 41 (and much more!) and a stay at the historic Marcus Whitman.

Take the Plunge! Diving Deep into Saint Helena Wineries
Three-night stay for six at the Saint Helena Winery Guest House with a tasting itinerary including Arietta, Gemstone, Revana Estate, Vineyard 7&8, Celani Family, Andrew Geoffrey Vineyards and more!

Sun Valley and Suzanne Phifer Pavitt – Two Shining Reasons to Celebrate
One lucky couple will win four nights of wining and dining at the Sun Valley Wine Auction Extravaganza in Idaho, as special guests of Suzanne Phifer Pavitt.

Wanna Go To Willamette?
If Pinot and Chard from the Pacific Northwest are your thing, be sure to invest in this 4 night trip for four! Experience Beaux Frères, Domaine Serene, Penner-Ash, Bergström, Stoller Family and more!

Of course, guests will be able to bid on excellent wines, including:
Araujo Estate, Beaux Frères, Black by Black, Cakebread Cellars, Cardinale, Caymus Vineyards, Château de Beaucastel, Château LaFleur, Château Pichon Lalande, Duckhorn Vineyards, DuMOL, GAJA, Ken Wright Cellars, Krug, Ravenswood, Ridge Vineyards, Schrader Cellars, Silver Oak Cellars, Taylor Family Vineyards… And wines from all of our Guest Vintners!

To make reservations for Pairings, please visit http://www.nashvillewineauction.com/pairings or call 615-329-1760.

Nashville Wine Auction Beneficiaries: American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge, Gilda’s ClubMiddle Tennessee , Leukemia Lymphoma Society, Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Middle Tennessee, PearlPoint Cancer Support, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Saint Thomas Cancer Network and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

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Zelma Long,  an American enologist and vintner, has left an indelible mark on winemaking in California through key posts at Robert Mondavi, Simi, and Chandon Estates, and, over the past twenty-five years, on the global wine industry through consulting work in Germany, Israel, France, and her own estate, Vilafonte, in South Africa.

In 1966, her family purchased a hillside vineyard in the Napa Valley and her love of viticulture was born. She then pursued a master’s degree in Enology and Viticulture at the University of California, Davis in 1968 but left there in 1970 before completing her degree to work a harvest at Robert Mondavi Winery in the Napa Valley, ultimately being promoted to chief enologist during the boom of the 1970s, between 1973 and 1979.  Robert Mondavi considered her departure from the company in 1979 as one of his biggest losses. She is considered to be one of the female pioneers in California wine, and in 1979 she was hired to be chief winemaker at Simi Winery in Sonoma County, the first woman to assume senior management of a Californian winery, of which she was CEO and President from 1989 to 1996. She is credited with breathing new life into Simi and modernizing it, introducing new winemaking techniques and establishing new vineyards. She then served as Executive Vice President at Chandon Estates until 1999 when she committed herself to running Long Vineyards, which she established with her then-husband Bob Long in St. Helena, California in 1977.

Long founded and was the first president of the American Vineyard Foundation (AVF) to help finance research in enology and viticulture, and also founded the American Viticulture and Enology Research Network (AVERN). Long has been dedicated to enology research into other states, particularly Washington which she considers to have the best Merlot grapes in the world.  She established Zelphi Wines with current husband Philip Freese, and has since ventured into new wine projects in Germany and South Africa, establishing the Vilafonte Wine Estate in Paarl, South Africa. She has said of winemaking, “Age is a precondition to greatness. Even if only 10 percent of all fine wines are fully mature before they are drunk up, it’s those great aged wines that set the standard.”

As one of the female pioneers of the development of viticulture in the United States, she is highly acclaimed, and has been a mentor to numerous aspiring female vintners in California. She was a recipient of the James Beard Award for Wine Professional of the Year in 1997, California Wine pioneer by Wine Spectator in 1993, the MASI award for her contribution to international wine in 1994, and that year she was also nominated for Woman of the Year.  She is the author of books such as Enological and Technological Developments.  She has a keen interest in Buddhist, Asian and African art and culture, and enjoys birdwatching and horseriding in her spare time.

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Vitalie Taittinger is head of marketing for the Champagne Taittinger and great granddaughter of founder Pierre Taittinger. She serves an ambassador for Taittinger champagne around the world, as well as an inspiration for the champagne house.

Vitalie graduated from the Emile Cohl School of Art in 2001 after studying the various applied art techniques used in illustration and graphic design.  As soon as she graduated, she wrote a monograph dedicated to the surrealist painter Alfred Courmes in collaboration with Gilles Bernard. This was published by ‘Le Cherche Midi’ in 2004. The book has a preface written by the philosopher Michel Onfray.

Keeping up with the entrepreneurship spirit which has always characterized her family, Vitalie Taittinger created her own company in 2002 and developed numerous projects in the world of wine and gastronomy. She greatly admired her father’s brave decision to regain ownership of the Taittinger Champagne House and, wishing to support him in this new family adventure, in 2007, she joined her father, Pierre-Emmanuel Taittinger, in the family business.

She divides her time between a very busy professional life and a lovely family of four children in Reims.

About Champagne Taittinger

Founded in 1734, the Taittinger Champagne house is based in Reims.  The flagship wines of the house are the Comtes de Champagne (composed of 100% Chardonnay) and Comtes de Champagne Rosé (70% Pinot noir and 30% Chardonnay ).  In 2017, Taittinger planted its first vines in England, near a village in Kent, for its venture into English sparkling wine.

In 1734, Jacques Fourneaux established a wine-business in Champagne and worked closely with the Benedictine Abbeys which, at that time, owned the finest vineyards in the region. After the First World War, the wine-house was moved to a large mansion on the Rue de Tambour in which Theobald I of Navarre (1201–1253) had lived. A long-standing legend held that it was he who brought the Chardonnay grape from Cyprus on returning from a crusade in the Middle Ages.

The Taittingers were a family of wine merchants who, in 1870, moved to the Paris region from the Lorraine in order to retain their French citizenship after the Franco-Prussian War (1871). In 1932, Pierre Taittinger bought the Château de la Marquetterie from the wine house of Forest-Fourneaux. The vineyards of the château were planted with Chardonnay and Pinot noir since the 18th Century and developed by Brother Jean Oudart, a Benedictine monk, one of the founding fathers of champagne wine. Later the property had belonged to the writer Jacques Cazotte.

Bottles in the Taittinger Caves

From 1945 to 1960 the business was run by Pierre’s third son François. Under his direction, the Taittinger cellars were established in the Abbey of Saint-Nicaise, built in the thirteenth century in Gallo-Roman chalk pits dating from the fourth century. After François’ death in an accident, his brother Claude took over and directed the business from 1960 to 2005. It was during this time that Taittinger became a champagne house of world renown.

Champagne Taittinger was sold in July 2005 by the Taittinger family, along with its subsidiary, Société du Louvre, to the U.S. private investment firm Starwood Capital Group. Those in the profession proposed that the objectives of short-term profitability, or even medium term, at any price, advocated by the then current managers of the business, were not compatible with the production of Champagne wine of quality, which takes time, trust and a large delegation of authority to the masters of the cellar.

Finally, on May 31, 2006, the Northeast Regional Bank of the Crédit Agricole, in collaboration with Pierre-Emmanuel Taittinger, bought the business for 660 million euros. The area covers 288.84 hectares of vineyards and has 12 to 13 million bottles in stock. The Château de la Marquetterie and its cellars were part of the overall purchase.

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Nashville Wine Auction was fortunate enough to offer a 28-year vertical of Masseto from the cellar of Pam and Steve Taylor on January 27, 2018. Yes, that’s every vintage of Masseto ever made! It’s unheard of, but that’s just how things are done at Nashville Wine Auction. An amazing evening with special guests Axel Heinz, Head Winemaker, Tenuta dell’Ornellaia, Alessandro Lunardi, Director North America at Ornellaia E Masseto Societa Agricola S.R.L., Antonio Galloni, Founder and CEO, Vinous and Country Superstar Martina McBride.

For those who need a quick refresher, Masseto is a rare, single vineyard wine made entirely from Merlot grapes grown on the vineyard bearing the same name. Located in the acclaimed Bolgheri region of Tuscany, Masseto was first released in 1986, simply called “Merlot” at that time. The name of Masseto then appeared on the label with the 1987 vintage. Masseto is a wine of great and complex personality where its remarkable structure always combines with beautiful elegance. It quickly gained a reputation as one of the world’s most sought after and extremely allocated wines. So finding such an impressive vertical is almost unheard of. Thank you, Pam and Steve!

In addition to enjoying this extraordinary wine, Axel Heinz (French mother, German father), head winemaker since 2005, has brought new life and vinification to the entire Ornellaia team. He studied in Bordeaux and cut his teeth in Pomerol, before he was offered the job of senior winemaker at Ornellaia in 2005 when he noted the similarities between the Bordeaux Merlot and that of Masseto. Alessandro Lunardi has been with the Frescobaldi Group since 1997 and has managed their high-end portfolio for many years.

See more event photos here.

Donated by Pam & Steve Taylor, Country Music Hall of Fame, Axel Heinz

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Nashville Wine Auction board members and friends gathered at the Mercedes-Benz of Music City dealership in April to thank Mercedes-Benz of Music City for joining in their mission to fund the fight against cancer. They were also joined by a few volunteers, cancer charity representatives, and auction donors to mark the start of Mercedes-Benz of Music City’s sponsorship as the Presenting Sponsor of the 39th Annual l’Eté du Vin and Champagne & Chardonnay 2018. The event featured the presentation of a $30,000 check as well as remarks from this year’s chairman of l’Ete’ du Vin, Tom Black, co-chairs for Champagne & Chardonnay Christie Wilson and Rahel Klapheke Sloane, Nashville Wine Auction Board Member Bill Piper and Nashville Wine Auction CEO Holly Whaley.

Photos by Weatherly Photography

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Nashville Wine Auction’s signature event to take place July 12 & August 2-4, 2018

NASHVILLE, TENN. – May 21, 2018– The Nashville Wine Auction announces the 39^th Annual l’Eté du Vin themed “Women In Wine” will take place from August 2-4, 2018. This year’s event is headlined by seven distinguished women vintners: Zelma Long, International Winemaker; Vitalie Taittinger, Champagne Taittinger; Shannon Staglin, Staglin Family Wines; Pam Starr, Crocker & Starr Wines; Marimar Torres, Marimar Estate Vineyard & Winery; Lindy Novak, Spottswoode Estate Vineyard & Winery; and Jenne Lee Bonaccorsi, Bonaccorsi Wine Company.

Esteemed winemaker and nationally recognized wine collector Tom Black will chair this year’s l’Eté du Vin, the first time he has chaired since 1998. Black has set a record-breaking fundraising goal for this year’s event at $1 million. In 2017, Black received the Norman M. Lipman Award for his many years of generous support and loyalty to the Nashville Wine Auction.

“Twenty years ago, l’Eté du Vin honored women in wine,” said Tom Black. “These were women who pioneered the way for others. We are choosing to bring back that theme to remind us all that women have brought to the wine industry.”

“Additionally,” continued Black, “when women’s treatment in the workplace is currently top-of-mind for everyone, we want to celebrate their importance to the wine world.”

Tickets for all the following events are available at NashvilleWineAuction.com:

• Grand Cru Evening, Thursday, July 12, 2018 – $250 per person
• Vintners’ Tasting, Thursday, August 2, 2018 at Hillwood Country Club – $200 per person
• Patrons’ Dinners, Friday, August 3, 2018 at The Thompson – $1,000 per person
• 39^th Annual l’Eté du Vin, Saturday, August 4, 2018 at Loews Vanderbilt Hotel – $350 per person

The Grand Cru Evening will kick off l’Eté du Vin with a cocktail party at a private home which will be announced next month. Pam and Steve Taylor will be honored as the 2018 Norman M. Lipman Award recipient by Robert S. Lipman. The event is the first opportunity to preview some of the top auction lots and learn more about the organization’s eight cancer-fighting beneficiaries.

Vintners’ Tasting, at Hillwood Country Club, starts three continuous days of celebration. From 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm, a powerful line-up of women winemakers will present their wine.

The Patrons’ Dinners will be hosted at the Thompson and will feature some of the best wines in the world donated by collectors from across the country.

Of course, the events culminate with l’Eté du Vin, the country’s longest-running charity wine auction, at Loews Vanderbilt Hotel. This one-of-a-kind evening celebrates “everything wine” with wine tastings and a gourmet dinner as well as silent and live auctions for wine, unique wine experiences and luxury items. Fritz Hatton of Zachys will return as auctioneer for the sixth year in a row.

“This year’s l’Eté du Vin promises to be an outstanding weekend of wine with our women vintner headliners and chair Tom Black’s infectious energy,” said Nashville Wine Auction CEO Holly Whaley. “We are proud that Nashville is home to an internationally recognized wine auction and proud to contribute to important cancer research and patient care.”

Sponsors at this this time include Mercedes Benz of Music City, KPMG, Tennessee Oncology, Servis1^st Bank, BNY Mellon Wealth Management, Gold Skin Care Center, Rowland-Bradford Group of Raymond James, Dr. Sharon and Bill Piper, The Starling Davis Group, Pinnacle Financial Partners, Citadel Self Storage, Clinical Solutions Pharmacy, Edwards Pharris Group of Morgan Stanley, Gary Musick Productions, Scripps Howard Foundation, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vinglacé and Lindell Jewelers.

ABOUT NASHVILLE WINE AUCTION: Nashville Wine Auction’s mission is to unite the wine community to fund the fight against cancer. Throughout the year, Nashville Wine Auction hosts four major events – Pairings: Nashville’s Ultimate Wine and Food Weekend, l’Eté du Vin: The Country’s Longest Running Charity Wine Auction, Champagne & Chardonnay: A Sparkling Evening Just for Ladies and The Men’s Event: Honoring the Life and Spirit of Billy Ray Hearn. Established in 1980, the Nashville Wine Auction has raised more than $23 million for organizations whose purpose is directly related to treatment, patient care and eradication of cancer here in Middle Tennessee and beyond. The 2018 list of beneficiaries includes the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge, Gilda’s Club Middle Tennessee, Leukemia Lymphoma Society, Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Middle Tennessee, PearlPoint Cancer Support, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Saint Thomas Cancer Network, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

# # #

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Shannon Staglin is President at Staglin Family Vineyard. After graduating from UCLA, she moved back to Napa to work as a harvest intern in 2001 where she learned the details of production and viticultural practices.

In 2002, she moved from the winery into the office where she honed her skills in marketing, hospitality, consumer and trade sales. After earning her MBA from the UC Davis Graduate School of Management, she chose to work for several years outside of the wine business to gain insight, a different perspective and valuable experience that she could one day share with Staglin Family Vineyard. She was recruited to create the marketing program for Wells Fargo Family Wealth, providing multifamily office solutions to ultra-high net worth client families.

In 2011 Shannon returned to Staglin Family Vineyard where she now oversees all aspects of the business. Her educational and professional experiences provide a new perspective and a fresh outlook that will enhance the family business for many years to come.

About Staglin Family Vineyards

Garen and Shari Staglin were able to purchase their Rutherford Bench estate in 1985 after spending many years learning about wine together. Their longtime dream to farm a vineyard and produce wines of great quality was something they wanted to share with their family. To encourage active participation Brandon and Shannon were offered a small cash gift to invest in the vineyard. Today all members of the family work in day to day operations of the vineyard and winery. Shannon serves as President, Brandon as Director of Marketing Communications, Shari as Chief Executive Officer and Garen as the Public Relations Manager.

In 1992 famed enologist Andre Tchelistcheff told the Staglins, “Listen to the vines — they will tell you what to do.” This wise counsel continues to be the most important element in our goal of making the best wine possible from their estate. The winemaker, Fredrik Johansson, works closely with vineyard manager, David Abreu, to carefully farm the land and coax optimal ripeness, complexity and intensity from the vines with each harvest.

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Pam Starr has been the co-owner, manager and winemaker of Crocker & Starr since its inception in 1997 when she helped resurrect the vineyards on the Crocker Estate in St. Helena and established a winery to create world-class wines. After toiling as a winery employee for 18 years, Pam’s transformation at a relatively young age into owner, manager and winemaker was unique and remarkable. It required a special mix of skill, passion and dedication. All of which describe Pam Starr.

Pam’s love affair with winemaking began as a harvest intern for Sonoma Cutrer in Sonoma after graduating from the University of California at Davis in 1984 with a degree in Fermentation Science. Headed down a different path, the daughter of an orthopedic surgeon who was planning to go to dental school quickly switched gears. Attracted by the fast pace, the pleasures of working the land and the wine itself, Pam knew she’d found her calling. “I was simply smitten – the way one is when falling madly in love. Winemaking is mysterious, it’s sexy, it’s magical.” And it’s been her life since.

After the internship, Pam worked for Edna Valley Vineyard in San Luis Obispo stacking barrels for a season. Her dream of becoming a winemaker began to take shape. For the next six years she was an enologist and assistant winemaker for Carmenet Winery in Sonoma, a job that taught her how to run a winery from cellar to bottle. In 1991, she became the winemaker for Spottswoode Vineyard & Winery in Napa Valley where she worked until she and Charlie Crocker established Crocker & Starr and she built the foundation of the business. At the same time Crocker & Starr opened its doors, Pam began wine consulting for Adastra Vineyard in the Carneros, Gemstone Vineyard in Yountville and Garric Cellars of Calistoga, among others.

Passionate about translating terroir into wine, Pam is known for her distinctive Bordeauxstyle blends that express a deep sense of place. For this enthusiastic and inspired winemaker who views her job as translating soil into wine, great wine must taste of the sun, of the earth it comes from and of the place it grows.

Charlie Crocker and Pam Starr

Pam is a member of the Napa Valley Vintners, Appellation St. Helena, American Society of Enology and Viticulture, Concierge Alliance Napa Valley and Wine Entre Femme, an international consortium of women winemakers. She is married, lives in Napa and embraces mountain biking, scuba diving, water skiing, sailing, gardening and motorcycling wine roads with her husband. Pam’s dog Griffin, a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, is her loyal vineyard companion.

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Marimar Torres with her daughter Cristina Torres at Marimar Estate Vineyard & Winery

Marimar Torres has been involved in the wine business all her life. Born in 1945 in Barcelona, Spain, she is fluent in six languages and holds a degree in Business and Economics from the University of Barcelona. She is also a graduate of the Stanford Executive Program, and studied Enology and Viticulture for a year at the University of California at Davis. At Marimar Estate Vineyards & Winery, she directs the activities at the winery and in both vineyards – Don Miguel (named after her late father) in the Russian River Valley and Doña Margarita (named after her late mother) in the Sonoma Coast AVA, both in Sonoma County. Prior to her involvement in the California operation, Marimar traveled extensively promoting Torres wines, first in Spain as the company’s export director and later in North America, when California became her home in 1975. At that time, shipments of Torres wines to the U.S. totaled 15,000 cases; ten years later they reached 150,000. To achieve this was not easy, though; especially in the beginning, Marimar was confronted with the common notion that the wine business was no place for a woman. Eventually, her tenacity and business acumen helped her overcome this bias, and she became the best-known ambassador of Spanish wines in North America.

In 1986, Marimar began planting the Don Miguel Vineyard, a 56-acre property in a cool microclimate ideally suited to Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Today the property encompasses 81 acres, of which 30 are planted with Chardonnay and 30 with Pinot Noir. Also planted to Pinot Noir are 20 acres of a 180-acre property in West Sonoma County, between Freestone and Occidental.

Due to her European heritage, emphasis on the vineyard is a natural concept for Marimar; the wines, made entirely from estate-grown grapes, are truly an expression of their unique terroir. The first release, a 1989 barrel-fermented Chardonnay, debuted in April 1991 to great acclaim. In 1992, a 15,000-case winery was built and the Estate’s first Pinot Noir was produced.

Marimar’s dedication to the wine business, however, has not come at the expense of other pursuits. With an authority on Spanish cuisine, her first book, The Spanish Table: The Cuisines and Wines of Spain, was published in 1986. Her second book, The Catalan Country Kitchen, came out in April 1992. Marimar lives in California – in Sausalito and at her Russian River Valley home above the vineyard. She also has a home in Sitges, Spain. Her hobbies include spending time with her daughter Cristina, cooking, skiing, tennis, biking and travel. Family pride and integrity have enabled Torres to blend centuries-old traditions with the latest innovations to produce outstanding wines known the world over. Marimar herself has become a symbol of this heritage.

To quote Charlie Deal, owner and chef at Jujube, “…[Marimar] had to fight sexism in the industry and even from her own family who seemed to find her desire to get into the family business as something cute that she would hopefully out grow so she could just settle down.  Thankfully, she never did” (Link to Charlie’s Article).

We are thrilled to honor Marimar Torres at l’Eté du Vin.  To find out how you can join us in celebrating Women in Wine, click the links below.

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In 1992, Lindy Novak joined her sister, Beth, as part of the second generation dedicated to guiding Spottswoode Estate Vineyard & Winery. In the more than twenty-five years since, Lindy has brought her own unique touch to her role as national director of marketing, by building loyal and lasting relationships with Spottswoode’s distributor, restaurant and retail partners. Known for her warmth, humor and thoughtfulness, Lindy helps oversee Spottswoode’s sales program in 47 states, and is an eloquent ambassador for Spottswoode and the Novak family at tastings, dinners and other key trade and consumer events throughout the country.

The eldest of the five Novak children, Lindy was 15 when she moved to Napa Valley with her family. A part of the emerging Napa Valley wine community, Lindy’s friends included the children of the Shafers and Chappellets, and she occasionally babysat the Duckhorn children. Summers were spent helping out around the Spottswoode Estate Vineyard with her siblings, playing tennis, and going to concerts at the Mondavi Winery.

After earning a degree in geography from UC Berkeley, Lindy worked extensively in the clothing industry, first as part of the buying program, and later as a manager at Macy’s. Following Macy’s, Lindy began representing several high-end clothing lines, including Christian Dior, Henry Grethel, John Henry and Gottex swimwear.

In 1992, Lindy began working at Spottswoode part time. She quickly discovered that she enjoyed working with her sister, Beth, and her late mother, Mary, and contributing to the development of Spottswoode. Lindy also found that her honest, engaged approach to sales was the perfect fit for their family-run winery. After a number of years building distributor and retail relationships throughout California, Lindy took on the role of national marketing director. In this capacity, Lindy travels frequently, supporting Spottswoode’s distributor partners in all American markets. “I try to bring the same values to our relationships that we bring to our wines,” says Lindy. “They should be authentic, thoughtful and enduring.” Lindy’s other interests include reading, writing, gardening, athletics, maintaining friendships, taking care of her menagerie of pets, and volunteer efforts with animal and environmental organizations. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband, Jeff.

We are thrilled to honor Lindy Novak at l’Eté du Vin.  To find out how you can join us in celebrating Women in Wine, click the links below.

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Jenne Lee Bonaccorsi was born in Seoul, Korea in 1970.  At the age of 13, she fell in love with food, watching food shows on PBS such as the Frugal Gourmet, Galloping Gourmet and of course Julia Child.  At a young age she was mimicking gourmet recipes long before the ingredients were readily available.

While attending USC Jenne Lee started working in restaurants; her first job answering phones at Trump’s restaurant, beginning her 20 years in restaurants.  She later moved to Watergrill Restaurant in downtown Los Angeles, and then to her dream, she started working for Wolfgang Puck which spanned 15 years, from 1993 to 2008. Jenne Lee was the maître’ D at Spago Beverly Hills, which won the James Beard award in hospitality in 2005.

In 1999 Michal and Jenne Lee Bonaccorsi formed the Bonaccorsi Wine Company and set out to produce wine of their own with the love of Burgundy and the Rhone. Since their first vintage in 1999, they continued to strive for improvements not only in winemaking techniques but improve the quality of the best vineyards in the central coast.  “Our goal at the beginning was to move from Santa Barbara to the Russian River Valley, but Michael realized that we could produce wine just as good, if not better in the central coast, especially in the new Santa Rita Hills appellation . . .all this untapped potential.”  J.L. Bonaccorsi

In January 2004, Michael Bonaccorsi suddenly passed away.  He left behind a legacy of winemaking, his first wines becoming some of the highest rated syrah in Wine Spectator, and the Pinots the highest rated in 2005. Michael was a true believer that the most important palate was your own, regardless of the person’s credentials.  Jenne Lee Bonaccorsi continues to make the wines, wines that strive for complexity and concentration, the delicacy.

In 2007, Bonaccorsi was among the top 30 Pinot producers by Wine Spectator, has served their wines at the White House and continues to source the best vineyards in the Central Coast the ever changing landscape.

We are thrilled to honor Jenne Lee Bonaccorsi at l’Eté du Vin.  To find out how you can join us in celebrating Women in Wine, click the links below.

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Nashville Wine Auction’s signature event surpasses $1 million mark with Women in Wine

NASHVILLE, TENN. – Aug. 15, 2018 – The Nashville Wine Auction raised a record $1.2 million during the 39^th Annual l’Eté du Vin. l’Eté du Vin is the country’s longest-running charity wine auction and has now raised more than $24 million for local cancer-fighting charity organizations.

Esteemed winemaker and nationally recognized wine collector, Tom Black, chaired the event again this year as he did 20 years ago.  “We talk about l’Eté du Vin uniting the wine community in the fight against cancer,” Black said. “I raise my glass to an amazing team effort from everyone who organized, volunteered, and participated in the event this year. We set our sights high and exceeded our goal of $1 million.

This year’s event was headlined by seven distinguished women in wine: Zelma Long, International Winemaker; Vitalie Taittinger, Champagne Taittinger; Shannon Staglin, Staglin Family Wines; Pam Starr, Crocker & Starr Wines; Marimar Torres, Marimar Estate Vineyard & Winery; Lindy Novak, Spottswoode Estate Vineyard & Winery; and Jenne Lee Bonaccorsi, Bonaccorsi Wine Company.

“The spirit surrounding l’Eté du Vin is simply amazing,” said Holly Hearn Whaley, Nashville Wine Auction CEO and President. “It starts with the generous winemakers who are received enthusiastically by our passionate and knowledgeable wine community.  Add in strong community leaders and generous donors, and it all adds up up to a successful and memorable weekend.”

The 39^th Annual l’Eté du Vin included four sold-out events with more than 725 attendees:

Grand Cru Evening on July 12, 2018 in the Home of Laura and Charlie Niewold
Vintners’ Tasting on August 2, 2018 at Hillwood Country Club
Patrons’ Dinners on August 3, 2018 at The Thompson
39^th Annual l’Eté du Vin on August 4 at Loews Vanderbilt Hotel

Several community-minded businesses also got involved in this important fundraising effort through sponsorships. Those businesses include:  Mercedes Benz of Music City, KPMG, Tennessee Oncology, City Winery, Loews Vanderbilt Hotel, BNY Mellon Wealth Management, Gold Skin Care Center, Rowland-Bradford Group of Raymond James, The Starling Davis Group, Edwards Pharris Group of Morgan Stanley, Blevins, Inc., Servis1st Bank, Pinnacle Financial Partners, Gary Musick Productions, Scripps Howard Foundation, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Dr. Sharon and Bill Piper, Citadel Wine Storage, Clinical Solutions Pharmacy, Lindell Jewelers, Vinglacé, Please Be Seated, BBJ Linen and igourmet.com.

l’Eté du Vin Saturday night event highlights include:
All clear cancer survivor, Gary Musick gave a moving appeal for the traditional “Raise Your Paddle” Live Auction lot bringing in a record $93,500.

World-famous magician Justin Flom brought the house down with his unique brand of magic and offered a personal appearance to the highest bidder.

The impact of women in the wine industry was communicated by the crowd pleasing theme:
  The honored guests were featured in the Silent Auction with original charcoal portraits hung above the (wine) auction lots.

  The seated dinner began with an inspiring video introduction highlighting the accomplishments of each woman.

  The first Live Auction lot offered each dinner table a magnum made and donated by female winemakers from across the globe.

  Several auction lots were donated and presented by the featured vintners offering their rare wines and promises to bidders to reciprocate the hospitality they experienced in Music City.

The auction featured more than 166 rare and fine wine lots, 22 one-of-a-kind dinners and tastings, 11 trips to wine regions all over the world and other luxury items.

Featured Wines presented by the honored “Women in Wine” at the Vintners’ Tasting:

1. Taittinger Prestige Rosé NV
2. Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blanc 2006
3. Spottswoode Sauvignon Blanc 2017
4. Crocker & Starr AVA Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc Blend 2017
5. Marimar Estate Acero Chardonnay 2016
6. Marimar Estate Mas Cavalls Pinot Noir 2014
7. Bonaccorsi Sebastiano Pinot Noir 2012
8. Spottswoode Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
9. Staglin Family Vineyard Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
10. Crocker & Starr RLC Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

Friday night’s Patron’s Dinner featured Julia Sullivan of Henrietta Red along with Nathan Duensing, Executive Chef, Marsh House, and Lisa White, Pastry Chef, Marsh House.

Patrons’ Dinner Wines were graciously donated by Tom Black, Pamela and Keith Browning of Dayton, Ohio, Eliza Kraft Olander and Brian McHenry of Raleigh, North Carolina, Deby and Keith Pitts of Dallas, Texas.

Featured Wines at the Patrons’ Dinner included:

• Taittinger Comtes de Champagne, Blanc de Blancs Brut 2006
• Domaine Leflaive Clavoillon, Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru 2010
• Domaine Leflaive Les Pucelles Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru 2009
• Domaine George Noëllat Grands Echezeaux Grand Cru, Côte de Nuits 1959
• Louis Jadot Grand Cru Charmes Chambertin 2002
• Château Haut-Brion, Pessac-Léognan 1995
• Château Haut-Brion, Pessac-Léognan 1998
• Château Rieussec, Sauternes 1986

l’Eté du Vin Featured Wines at the l’Eté du Vin reception included:

• Taittinger Brut La Francaise NV
• Spottswoode Sauvignon Blanc 2017
• Staglin Family Vineyard SA Chardonnay 2015
• Marimar Estate Albariño 2016
• Marimar Estate La Masía Pinot Noir 2014
• Crocker & Starr AVA Napa Valley Cabernet Franc Blend 2015
• Spottswoode Lyndenhurst Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
• Staglin Family Vineyard Booth Bella Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

ABOUT NASHVILLE WINE AUCTION: Nashville Wine Auction’s mission is to unite the wine community to fund the fight against cancer. Throughout the year, Nashville Wine Auction hosts four major events – Pairings: Nashville’s Ultimate Wine and Food Weekend, l’Eté du Vin: The Country’s Longest Running Charity Wine Auction, Champagne & Chardonnay: A Sparkling Evening Just for Ladies and The Men’s Event: Honoring the Life and Spirit of Billy Ray Hearn. Established in 1980, the Nashville Wine Auction has raised more than $24 million for organizations whose purpose is directly related to treatment, patient care and eradication of cancer here in Middle Tennessee and beyond. The 2018 list of beneficiaries includes the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge, Gilda’s Club Middle Tennessee, Leukemia Lymphoma Society, Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Middle Tennessee, PearlPoint Cancer Support, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Saint Thomas Cancer Network, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

# # #   

Media Contact:

Amy A. Atkinson
Amy Atkinson Communications on behalf of The Nashville Wine Auction
Email: Amy@AmyACommunications.com

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Champagne and Chardonnay Patrons’ Party hosts are honored to highlight an amazing woman who has broken barriers in the world of sports administration!

“I almost did not apply for the commissioner’s position because at the time women were rarely hired as commissioners. I am so glad I did not let my assumptions hold me back from pursuing my dream. A woman might not fit the job requirements exactly, but that’s okay! Work on promoting your experience and make the case that your experience will bring value.” – Beth DeBauche, Commissioner of the Ohio Valley Conference

BETH DEBAUCHE

Elizabeth (Beth) DeBauche was named commissioner of the Ohio Valley Conference on July 29, 2009, becoming the seventh full-time commissioner in the history of the OVC.

As commissioner, she answers to each of the 12 OVC schools’ presidents and works with them to set the strategic direction of the conference.

DeBauche (pronounced De-Bush), a Green Bay, Wisconsin native, received her Bachelor of Arts degree in history and government from Saint Mary’s College in Indiana, and her master’s degree in communications from Notre Dame. She went on to complete her juris doctorate from the Notre Dame School of Law.

After a brief stint in the field of law, DeBauche turned her attention to the world of college athletics. She got her start at Vanderbilt University, where she was the assistant athletic director for compliance from August 1994 to November 1996. From there, she worked as an assistant and later associate commissioner for the Southeastern Conference in Birmingham, Alabama, from November 1996 through August 2002.

In 2002, she relocated to Indianapolis to work in the home office of the NCAA, where she was responsible for coordinating Division I initiatives through the NCAA governance structure, as well as helping to manage the Division I agenda. She was also a liaison to governance representatives, external constituent groups and NCAA staff regarding legislative and governance activities.

After seven years with the NCAA, she made her way back to the South and took the commissioner position for the OVC in 2009.

The conference has seen several changes under DeBauche’s leadership, including expanding the conference to 12 member institutions, the implementation of a revised governance structure to enhance efficiencies and collaboration and the launch of a branding initiative and the league’s first tagline: “Inspiring Excellence Since 1948.” She also negotiated the largest national media contract in league history and played a key role in upgrading the OVC Digital Network to HD video and expanding viewership.

During DeBauche’s time with the OVC, student-athletes have achieved high levels of success, not only on the field, but also in the classroom. The league has consistently seen a record number of honorees on the OVC Medal of Honor and OVC Commissioner’s Honor Roll. In order to help students succeed, DeBauche sponsors comprehensive leadership programming for OVC student-athletes and coaches through on-campus summits.

DeBauche serves on the NCAA Committee on Academics, the National Letter of Intent (NLI) Appeals Committee and is the Vice President of the Collegiate Commissioner’s Association (CCA). She has served on the Committee on Institutional Performance, the Division I Strategic Vision and Planning Committee and the Division I Management Council. She is also the FCS representative to the “Coalition To Protect the Student-Athlete Experience” communications steering committee and serves as the FCS liaison to the FCS AD’s Association.

She is a board member with the Nashville Sports Council, the Nashville YWCA and the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, a member of the Nashville Rotary, the International Women’s Forum of Tennessee, and a graduate of Leadership Nashville.

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. –  The Nashville Wine Auction will hold the eighth annual Champagne & Chardonnay: A Sparkling Evening Just for Ladies on Oct. 11, 2018, at a downtown penthouse. Also on the same evening, the male counterpart of this fundraising event, The Men’s Event: Honoring the Life and Spirit of Billy Ray Hearn, will be held at Josephine in 12 South.

Named Nashville’s “Best Women’s Party” in Nfocus Magazine’s past readers’ polls, Champagne & Chardonnay is an exclusive cocktail party where ladies will enjoy a beautiful evening with their girlfriends while raising money to fund the fight against cancer. Co-chaired this year by the dynamic duo of Rahel Klapheke Sloan and Christie Wilson, the event will feature a Sparkling Silent Auction filled with fine wine, unique wine experiences and other luxury items.

Champagne & Chardonnay will be hosted by Mercedes-Benz of Music City in a penthouse owned by Joe Agresti in the Westview Condos of Nashville. Guests will be able to enjoy the gorgeous view of downtown throughout the event.

The Men’s Event was started in 2015 and has since become a highly anticipated dinner party event for gentlemen who enjoy red wine, big steaks and are eager to support the Nashville Wine

Auction’s mission of raising money to fund the fight against cancer. The culinary team at Josephine has planned an exceptional four-course dinner for this year’s attendees.

“Champagne & Chardonnay and The Men’s Event have become two of the fall’s most anticipated wine events,” said Holly Whaley, President/CEO of the Nashville Wine Auction. “In what’s already been a record year for the Nashville Wine Auction, I fully expect our fall events to break records as well.

“With Mercedes-Benz of Music City sponsoring Champagne & Chardonnay this year, and our creative co-chairs, Rahel and Christie, we have refreshed our vision for this popular event and plan to create a dazzling party for the ladies.”  said Whaley. “While fewer women will be able to obtain tickets to this always-sold-out event, we know these changes will only enhance the overall experience for all involved.”

The wines for the evening are generously donated by The Wine Shoppe of Green Hills, Billecart Salmon, Champagne Dumangin and William Cole Vineyards. Guests of Champagne & Chardonnay will enjoy a premier selection of Rosé, Vintage, and Brut champagne and carefully crafted Cuvee Jane Marie chardonnay presented by Jane Maire Ballentine herself, alongside exquisite passed hors d’oeuvres.

The men will enjoy sharing favorite wines from their cellars as well as wines from Fantesca Estate & Winery, Gemstone Vineyard, Vineyard 7 & 8, and La Jota Vineyard Co.

People interested in making a reservation to either event may call the Nashville Wine Auction office at 615.329.1760 or visit www.NashvilleWineAuction.com.

Champagne & Chardonnay at a glance

> $250 per person ($200 is tax deductible) – $1,000 per patron ($850 is tax deductible)

> New this year is the Patron Package for Champagne & Chardonnay is $1000 per patron and includes early admission to Champagne & Chardonnay, a special Patrons’ gift and an invitation to a private wine tasting hosted by Table 3 with special guest Beth Debauche on Thursday, September 27, 2018.

> $250 ticket includes ladies’ cocktail party and hors d’ouvres

> Sponsored by Mercedes-Benz of Music City and will be in the home of Joe Agresti at the Westview Condos in downtown Nashville

> Thursday, October 11, 2018, from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm

> Buy Champagne & Chardonnay Tickets Here

The Men’s Event at a glance 

> $250 per person ($175 is tax deductible)

> Cocktail reception and four-course dinner

> Josephine, 2316 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37204

> Valet parking provided; Jacket, no tie

> Thursday, October 11, 2018, at 6:30 pm

> Buy The Men’s Event Tickets Here

Every prior Champagne & Chardonnay event has sold out well in advance, and with fewer tickets available this year, people are strongly encouraged to purchase their tickets early.

Sponsors for Champagne & Chardonnay include Mercedes-Benz of Music City, St. Thomas Health Ascension, Parker’s Paws Animal Hospital, The Wilson Group, Kemp & Rice Orthodontics, Mark B. Whaley DDS, John Navin & Associates Inc., The Carroll, Jones, Beckman Group, The Row Title & Escrow and The Wine Shoppe of at Green Hills. Sponsors for The Men’s Event include Charles Schwab, Vaco and Community Hospitality (owners of Josephine).

ABOUT NASHVILLE WINE AUCTION: Nashville Wine Auction’s mission is to unite the wine community to fund the fight against cancer. Throughout the year, Nashville Wine Auction hosts four major events – Pairings: Nashville’s Ultimate Wine and Food Weekend, l’Eté du Vin: The Country’s Longest Running Charity Wine Auction, Champagne & Chardonnay: A Sparkling Evening Just for Ladies and The Men’s Event: Honoring the Life and Spirit of Billy Ray Hearn. Established in 1980, the Nashville Wine Auction has raised more than $24 million for organizations whose purpose is directly related to treatment, patient care and eradication of cancer here in Middle Tennessee and beyond. The 2018 list of beneficiaries includes the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge, Gilda’s Club Middle Tennessee, Leukemia Lymphoma Society, Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Middle Tennessee, PearlPoint Cancer Support, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Saint Thomas Cancer Network and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

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