Soiree du Vin, A Palo Alto Wine Auction,
to Offer Exceptional One-of-A-Kind Lots,
Including “The Judgment of Paris”
PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA, OCTOBER 12, 2006—The inaugural Soirée du Vin (www.soireeduvin.org), an event that blends the spirit of Northern California with a French appreciation of fine wine, food and fashion, will take place on Sunday, October 15, 2006 in the gardens of a spectacular historical residence in Palo Alto. The event is hosted by the International School of the Peninsula, an independent Chinese and French bilingual school for nursery through eighth-grade students.
A centerpiece of the event will be the live auction, which will feature extraordinary lots assembled by American and French wine connoisseurs.
For example, the lot titled “The Judgment of Paris” is based on the re-enactment of the famous tasting of 1976, which compared French and California wines. The re-enactment was held earlier this year at COPIA to celebrate the 30-year anniversary of the original event (for details, visit http://www.copia.org/content/node/483).
French wines in this lot include the 1981 Mouton-Rothschild (Pauillac Bordeaux) and the 1991 Chateau Margaux (Margaux Bordeaux). California wines include the 1986 Shafer Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon and the 1993 Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon.
Another very special lot is “Passion,” which includes the 2000 Ridge Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon and the 2003 Ridge Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon (Double Magnum), both signed by legendary winemaker Paul Draper. As an added attraction, Mark Vernon, the COO for Ridge Vineyards, will attend the event.
Additionally, the auction will feature a selection of “destination” items, including a visit to a working cattle ranch in Northwest Montana; a stay at a 12-person chalet in Steamboat Springs, Colorado; and an adventure that starts in Paris and ends in Burgundy via the Loire Valley. Luxury items, including a men’s watch by famed watchmaker Ulysse Nardin and a custom-made gown by Azadeh, will also be available for bidding.
A list of auction items may be viewed at: http://www.soireeduvin.org/SoireeduVin_LR.pdf.
Corporate Sponsors
Soiree du Vin is pleased to recognize its corporate sponsors: Couture by Azadeh; Deutsche Bank; GP Technology Partners; Sofinnova Ventures; Tesla Motors; and Thompson River Ranch.
Activities
· Prior to the start of the auction, guests will have an opportunity to tour the event venue, a unique historical residence built by famed architect Birge M. Clark.
· As a featured attraction highlighting the entrepreneurial spirit of Silicon Valley, guests will have a first-hand look at the sought-after Tesla Roadster, the world’s premier high-performance electric sports car.
· In a salute to the elegance of European haute couture, a collection of dramatic gowns by fashion designer Azadeh will be modeled.
· Hors d’oeuvres and a gourmet dinner with wine pairings will be provided by Café Primavera owner Joanna Biondi, a respected caterer and restaurateur known for her creative style which combines Northern California cuisine with Mediterranean and Asian influences.
· A medley of exquisite desserts will be prepared and served by Master French Pastry Chef and Chocolatier Pascal Janvier of Fleur de Cocoa.
About the International School of the Peninsula
International School of the Peninsula, located in Palo Alto, California, is an independent Chinese and French bilingual school for nursery through eighth-grade students. The school is dedicated to promoting critical thinking, international awareness and responsible global citizenship. A passionate proponent of the benefits of bilingual education, the school offers a wide array of language classes to the community, including courses in Arabic, Farsi, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish. Proceeds from the auction will go towards the Charlotte de Géry Endowment Fund, which provides long-term financial stability for the school.
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Contact:
Calisa Cole-Gouyet, Public Relations Chair
