Inaugural Pairings Event Toasts to Success
Acclaimed Chefs and Stags Leap District Lend Their Legacy of Success
to Nashville Wine Auction
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (March 20, 2013) – The Nashville Wine Auction is excited to announce the success of its brand new fundraiser, Pairings: A Food and Wine Celebration, held Friday, March 8 at the Noah Liff Opera Center. The inaugural event raised more than $165,000 to benefit local cancer research organizations and the treatment and recovery efforts of cancer patients in Middle Tennessee.
The fundraiser featured a full slate of esteemed winemakers showcasing their wines paired with a four-course dinner created by the region’s most notable chefs. Each course was prepared by teams of prominent local and regional chefs, and then paired with the perfect selection of wines from Napa Valley’s Stags Leap District.
“In many ways the Stags Leap District really helped establish the Napa Valley region of wine,” explained Holly Hearn Whaley, executive director of the Nashville Wine Auction. “It was a perfect fit for the launching of our new Pairings fundraiser, and we are pleased with the results. We look forward to next year’s event with more great wineries and chefs as we continue to benefit cancer patients and research facilities in Middle Tennessee.”
In addition, Pairings included an extensive offering of both Silent and Live auction items, including rare wine offerings, private wine dinners, wine tastings, luxury wine trips and other luxury items.
Featured chefs included:
• Will Uhlhorn of Table 3 in Nashville
• John Fleer of Canyon Kitchen at Lonesome Valley in Cashiers, N.C.
• Tandy Wilson of City House in Nashville
• Nate Appleman of New York, N.Y., James Beard Award winner
• Tyler Brown of Capitol Grille at the Hermitage Hotel in Nashville
• Andrew Ticer of Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen and Hog & Hominy in Memphis
• Michael Hudman of Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen and Hog & Hominy in Memphis
• Tandra Watkins of Capital Hotel in Little Rock, Ark.
• Chef Roderick Bailey of Silly Goose in Nashville
Wilson, Brown, Ticer and Hudman were nominated for the 2013 James Beard Foundation Awards, and Watkins was nominated for best pastry chef. The JBF Awards are the highest honor for food and beverage professionals working in North America. To learn more about each of the featured chefs, visit www.nashvillewineauction.com/news/pairings-chef-lineup-announced.
The event reception featured vintages from:
• Baldacci Family Vineyards
• Chimney Rock
• Cliff Lede Vineyards
• Ilsley Vineyards
• Robinson Family Vineyards
• Silverado Vineyards
• Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars
• Taylor Family Vineyards.
Wines featured during the formal dinner included:
• 2012 Taylor Hillside Chardonnay from Taylor Family Vineyards
• 2009 FAY Estate Cabernet Sauvignon from Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars
• 2010 SOLO Cabernet Sauvignon from Silverado Vineyards
• 2006 Chimney Rock Tomahawk Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Stags Leap District
“The success of this year’s event wouldn’t have been possible without the excellent work of our committee,” said Keri V. McInnis, Pairings event chair. “It’s heartwarming to see so many people from Middle Tennessee give their time and expertise to help make the Nashville Wine Auction events possible, and Pairings was no exception.”
With the launch of the new event, the Nashville Wine Auction is no longer just the host of America’s oldest charity wine auction, but also its youngest. Pairings makes an ideal counterpart to the group’s l’Eté du Vin, which has helped the Nashville Wine Auction raise more than $17 million for various cancer organizations since 1980. All proceeds benefit local cancer research organizations and the treatment and recovery efforts of cancer patients in Middle Tennessee.
# # #
Established in 1980, the Nashville Wine Auction is the oldest charity wine auction in the country. It has raised over $17 million for organizations whose purpose is directly related to treatment, patient care, and eradication of cancer here in Middle Tennessee. The 2012 list of beneficiaries includes: American Cancer Society, PearlPoint Cancer Support, Gilda’s Club/Nashville, Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Middle Tennessee, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Saint Thomas Cancer Network, and Williamson Medical Center Foundation.