l’Eté du Vin Raises Record of $1.2 Million to Fight Cancer
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 39th 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 39th 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
39th 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:
- Taittinger Prestige Rosé NV
- Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blanc 2006
- Spottswoode Sauvignon Blanc 2017
- Crocker & Starr AVA Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc Blend 2017
- Marimar Estate Acero Chardonnay 2016
- Marimar Estate Mas Cavalls Pinot Noir 2014
- Bonaccorsi Sebastiano Pinot Noir 2012
- Spottswoode Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
- Staglin Family Vineyard Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
- 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.
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Media Contact:
Amy A. Atkinson
Amy Atkinson Communications on behalf of The Nashville Wine Auction
Email: Amy@AmyACommunications.com