Gala + Auction
HARVEST MOON GALA + LIVE AUCTION OF LONG ISLAND WINES
Saturday, September 17, 7 p.m. - 11 p.m.
At the Ludlow Farm: Home of Mecox Bay Dairy and Fairview Farm
37 Horsemill Lane, Mecox Bay, Bridgehampton
The cornerstone of HARVEST is the Harvest Moon Gala and Live Auction of Long Island Wines. WNPR’s Faith Middleton presided over this gracious evening event.
The Gala Dinner featured the culinary talents of three regional chefs, teaming together for this one phenomenal farm-to-table feast:
- First course by William Holden (West End Cafe)
- Main course by Tom Schaudel (A Lure, A Mano, CoolFish and the forthcoming Jewel)
- Last (dessert) course by Noah Schwartz (Noah’s)
Swing jazz by The Jerry Costanzo Orchestra rounded out a perfect evening.
The auction was led by auctioneer Charles Antin, Associate Vice President and Wine Specialist at Christie’s. With its range of vintages, varietals and bottle formats and one-of-a-kind experiences (see lots below), this is a not-to-be-missed auction for the collector who knows Long Island is one of the world’s most exciting emerging wine regions. Plus, all auction proceeds will benefit our charity partners, East End Hospice, Group for the East End and the Peconic Land Trust.
LOT 1: LIFE IS SWEET!
Clovis Point
Value: $7,500
WINNING BID: $2,400
Life is sweet, and so is this delicious “dinner and a show” package for 6 people from Clovis Point. Winery owner and accomplished jazz pianist Hal Ginsburg will “tickle the ivories” alongside a surprise musical guest—to be announced at the Harvest Moon Gala—in a truly unforgettable evening! Following the exclusive performance, a wine dinner in the vines will feature library selections and not-yet-released gems. Each couple takes home a case of the Clovis Point wine of their choosing. Live the sweet life with Clovis Point!
LOT 2: LUCK, BE A LADY: Comtesse Thérèse
Value: $2,500 – $4,680 depending on specific wines chosen by winning bidder
WINNING BID: $1,400
Comtesse Thérèse plays lady luck with a spin in this lot, featuring your choice of 13 cases of wine, with selections available from the 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 vintages. Choose from Comtesse Thérèse Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Rosé, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Indulge even further with 13 boxes of Belgian chocolate truffles, handmade by Chef Arie Pavlou of Comtesse Thérèse Bistro in Aquebogue. Now, who says 13 is not a lucky number?
—“Buy a bottle of red wine and some house-made Belgian chocolate truffles to go–enjoy them at home denude.” –Dan’s Papers, February 4, 2011
—These “chocolate truffles…made with wonderful Belgian chocolate are delicious.” –Long Island Pulse, July 22, 2011
LOT 3: EVERYTHING OLD IS NEW AGAIN: Jamesport Vineyards
Value: $1,500
WINNING BID: $1,500
The Long Island wine region is approaching 40 years old. Gather seven friends to taste some of the oldest vintages in their ideal setting—as part of a sumptuous six-course feast—at Jamesport Vineyards. This dinner will take place in the vineyard’s inner sanctum—the Wine Library—and will feature Jamesport’s wines from the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s. Mirabelle Tavern Chef de Cuisine Paolo Fontana will pair each of six decadent courses with these well-aged beauties. Taste proof that everything old is new again in this wine-lovers lot, courtesy of Jamesport Vineyards and Mirabelle Tavern.
Dates to be mutually agreed-upon by all parties; please fulfill by September 17, 2012.
LOT 4: “WINE” CHRISTMAS:Long Island Wine Council
Value: $2,000
WINNING BID: $2,000
Sisters Betty and Judy Haynes of White Christmas might have had an easier time warming up the guests of a failing Vermont Inn, if they had bid on this lot! Who could refrain from enjoying themselves with 18 magnum or larger-sized bottles of wine on hand from different Long Island Vineyards? (That’s equal to more than 30 bottles of wine.) Even Bing Crosby would be crooning over this selection! Courtesy of Long Island Wine Council members:
Bedell 2001 Merlot Reserve “Artist Series” featuring a hand-numbered original watercolor label by renowned artist Eric Fischl
Castello di Borghese 2001 Merlot Reserve
Channing Daughters 2007 Mudd Vineyards
Comtesse Thérèse 2005 Traditional Merlot
Croteaux 2010 Jolie Cabernet Franc Rosé (Jerobaum)
The Grapes of Roth 2002 Merlot
Jamesport 2005 Cabernet Franc
Lieb Cellars 2005 Meritage Reserve, Limited Edition
Long Island Merlot Alliance 2008 Merliance
Macari 2004 Bergen Road
McCall Wines 2007 Ben’s Blend
Palmer Vineyards 1995 Merlot
Peconic Bay Winery 2007 Lowerre Family Estate
Pellegrini 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon
Sherwood House 2005 Sherwood Manor
Shinn Estate Vineyards 2008 Nine Barrel Reserve
Waters Crest 2003 Cabernet Franc (Triple Magnum)
Wölffer Estate Vineyard 2005 Christian’s Cuvee Merlot
LOT 5: SOME ENCHANTED EVENING…IN BERMUDA: Bermuda Department of Tourism
Value: $5,200
WINNING BID: $5,000
Jet off to Bermuda for three nights and four glorious days, and get a taste of the island you left behind with three bottles of your choice of Long Island wine awaiting in your hotel room! You and a friend will fly from New York City or other Bermuda gateway, and stay at one of the island’s luxurious resorts, such as the Fairmont Southampton or Rosewood Tucker’s Point. With your airfare, hotel and wine needs taken care of, all you have to do is have an enchanted evening (or three) in Bermuda!
LOT 6: IF I COULD TALK TO THE ANIMALS: Martha Clara Vineyards
Value: $3,500
WINNING BID: $1,600
The Entenmann farm in Mattituck is home to not only to grapevines, but also horses, goats and cows. Win this winemaker dinner for 10 at the vineyard home of Robert Entenmann (yes, of Entenmann’s Bakery fame) and you’ll get to spend an unforgettable evening among the flora and fauna. Chef Larry Kolar has earned his stripes at a menagerie of famous Manhattan eateries, including The Quilted Giraffe and Sign of the Dove, and now Solé East, and his own project, On the Forks Catering. Chef Kolar will prepare a meal of fresh, local fish, fowl and more, paired with Martha Clara Vineyards’ award-winning wines. Juan Micieli-Martinez—and perhaps the infamous Penguin—will be your host for this fun, farmy feast.
Dates to be mutually agreed-upon by all parties; please fulfill by September 17, 2012.
LOT 7: WINEMAKER, WINEMAKER, MAKE ME A WINE: Sannino Bella Vita Vineyard
Value: $2,500
WINNING BID: $1,400
Be a winemaker for a year at Sannino Bella Vita Vineyard, a special “vine to wine” program that guides you through the entire winemaking process. Begin your vine to wine program by participating in the Sannino’s Annual Harvest Festival, October 8, where you will actually harvest the grapes that will produce your custom wine. The end result will be your own handmade half-barrel of wine (roughly 12 cases) to share with family and friends. Equipment, knowledge and premium grapes are provided by Sannino Bella Vita Vineyard to help you produce the best wines possible. Choose from Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay. At the end, you can design your own label for the wine you have produced! For the aspiring winemaker, or couple, this is the perfect match!
LOT 8: SPECTACULAR, SPECTACULAR CHAROLAIS: McCall Wines
Value: $1,500
WINNING BID: $1,700
McCall has provided an entire Charolais standing rib roast and a case (six bottles) of 2007 Ben’s Blend magnums for this king-sized lot. Ben’s Blend is a Bordeaux style blend of approximately 65% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 10% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, made in super-small production of only 400 cases. The McCall family raises Charolais cattle on the vineyard property in Cutchogue, where they are organically raised, strictly on natural McCall Ranch grasses. This breed originated in Charolais, France, and bulls can weigh up to 2,400 pounds—now that’s a hunk of beef! The rib roast (approximately 15-20 pounds) is ideal for roasting in impressive standing fashion for a top-notch holiday dinner party. Accompany the meal with your Ben’s Blend red and you’ll have quite the “spectacular, spectacular” fête!
LOT 9: WE GO TOGETHER LIKE…GREASED LIGHTNIN’: Raphael
Value: $3,500
WINNING BID: $3,000
This lot is all about things that go together, like Sandy and Danny in Grease, or you, fine wine from Raphael and a Rolls-Royce. First, win this lot and you’ll get to spend a weekend behind the wheel of a Rolls-Royce Ghost in an “Ultimate Weekend” package from Rolls-Royce Motor Cars of Long Island. Where will you go with the Rolls? To Raphael, of course! But wait—you don’t have to drive yourself there. Winemaker Les Howard will come to your location, pick you and your date up, and drive the two of you to the vineyard for a private cellar tour and barrel-tasting. Appreciate the spacious trunk of your Ghost as you load in a vertical collection of Raphael First Label Merlot from 2000, 2001 and 2002 in 3-liter Jeroboam bottles to take home. Les will drive you back in your Rolls-Royce, which you can enjoy the rest of the weekend.
LOT 10: LES MISERABLES, PAS PLUS: Long Island Merlot Alliance and the International Culinary Center, French Culinary Institute
Value: $6,000
WINNING BID: $2,700
At the finish of a long work day or week, be miserable no more! Relax while you and five guests enjoy an exclusive wine pairing dinner with the winemakers of the Long Island Merlot Alliance. Taking place at the brand-new International Culinary Center (ICC) in Soho, home of the legendary French Culinary Institute (FCI), the ICC’s sister company, FCI Catering & Events, will collaborate with the Merlot Alliance to create an exclusive and delectable event. You and your guests will start out with a tour of the Center. Then, members of the Alliance will join you for multi-course dinner as they guide you through a tasting of their most coveted selections, including library wines and Merliance, the Alliance’s cooperative blend of 100% merlot. Each course, specially created by celebrated FCI Catering & Events Chef Daniel Mattrocce, will be expertly paired to highlight each wine’s unique personality. This will be a memorable evening of wine and cuisine that you and your friends will be talking about for years to come.
Offer must be redeemed by April 30, 2012. Event date and time to be mutually agreed upon. Major holidays not available.
LOT 11: WOULDN’T IT BE LOVERLY? Shinn Estate Vineyards
Value: $8,000
WINNING BID: $4,500
Eliza Doolittle dreamed of a warm place to sleep and good things to eat. This “fair lady” would’ve been in heaven with this lot from Shinn Estate Vineyards! Chef and winemaker David Page and Top Chef Tom Colicchio will prepare a six-course dinner at the Shinn Farmhouse. Watch the chefs work their magic in the open kitchen and at the wood-burning oven using all local ingredients, including in-season herbs, fruits, vegetables and honey grown organically by Barbara Shinn onsite. Each exquisite course will be paired with Shinn library wines and small-production selections, ending with brandy made in the winery’s own pot-still. Stay over at the well-appointed Farmhouse (sleeps 8 people) after dinner. In the morning, after a hearty farmhouse breakfast, two intrepid members of your party will enjoy an aerial tour of the East End, led by naturalist, philosopher and private pilot Peter Stoutenburgh. Wouldn’t it be loverly?
Dates to be mutually agreed-upon by all parties; please fulfill by September 17, 2012.
LOT 12: THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES: Wölffer Estate Vineyard
Value: $5,000
WINNING BID: $3,800
You and nine friends are invited for a memorable evening of seaside, sunset and song in this “progressive” wine dinner from Wolffer Estate Vineyard that spans from the Hamptons to Montauk. Begin this journey with you and your friends being whisked away from your home in a private limo provided by East End Limousine Service. The first stop is the exquisite Tuscan-styled Wölffer Estate Winery for hors d’oeuvres, wine and a private cellar and Wine Library tour with Winemaker Roman Roth. Then sit back, savor some sparkling wine, watch the sunset, and enjoy the road trip to Montauk for a beautiful dinner at South Edison, the quintessential summer restaurant. Chef Todd Mitgang of Manhattan’s three-star Cascabel Taqueria and formerly of Crave Ceviche Bar and Kittichai, prepares a delicious menu of classic Montauk beach fare with a fresh and creative twist. Wölffer wines will enhance each course and described by Winemaker Roman Roth. Top off the evening at the American Hotel in Sag Harbor with your own personal pianist who plays your favorites. Feel free to sing along, listen or dance to the music as though no one is watching. The evening concludes with being gently driven home filled with memories so unique that they last for a lifetime.
Must be redeemed in June 2012 only and preferably on a Friday evening. Geographic restrictions apply to limo pickup and delivery (must be in Hamptons or Shelter Island area). All involved parties must agree on dates and pick- up/drop-off locations.
