NASHVILLE WINE AUCTION TO HOST GRAND CRU EVENING IN JUNE

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (May 22, 2013) – The Nashville Wine Auction is excited to kick off the 34th Annual l’Eté du Vin, Pour de France, with its exclusive Grand Cru Evening on June 20, 2013! The Grand Cru Evening will continue its tradition of hosting a cocktail party honoring the Ladies’ and Gentleman’s Underwriting Committee. The party will be hosted at Sylvia Roberts’ home, which was featured in the ABC television series, Nashville. On this special night, guests will be given the opportunity to preview The Nashville Wine Auction Catalog, getting a sneak peak at all the fine wines, gifts, and luxury travel to be auctioned and listening to live music.

This year’s Grand Cru Evening promises guests another exclusive opportunity to taste the most exemplary food and wine at a site of gracious and elegant entertaining. Some of the many auction items that will be previewed include fine wines from the famed Stags Leap District, a 1988 & 1999 Bordeaux Tasting, and a Burgundy Tasting at 360 Bistro featuring wines dating all the way back from the 1910s through the 1970s.

Grand Cru, a wine term which signifies “only the best”, will mark an unforgettable evening — all in support of a great cause. The Nashville Wine Auction looks forward to continuing its efforts in uniting the wine community to raise money and fight against cancer.

The Host Committee for Grand Cru Evening will include: Abbay & Tim Blakenship, Barbara & Kix Brooks, Wendy & Steve Burch, Eleanor & Peter Cobb, Chase Cole, Karen Demler & Irv Lingo, Clint Higham & Matt Donahoe, Ann & Glenn Eaden, Lisa & Jim Fitzsimmons, Cindee & Michael Gold, Nancy & Billy Ray Hearn, Cynthia & Elliot Himmelfarb, Vicki & Rick Horne, Emily & Jason Hubbard, Beth & John Huff, Fletcher Foster & Dennis Johnson, Ruthie Keen, Janet Kurtz & Ron Gobbell, Jan & Doug McClananhan, Denise & Doug McMillan, Deby & Keith Pitts, Sylvia Roberts, JJ & George Seiters, Cyndi & Bill Sites, Mary & Michael Spalding, Pam & Steve Taylor, and Holly & Mark Whaley.

ABOUT NASHVILLE WINE AUCTION: 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’s Hope Lodge, Pearl Point 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.

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For many wine lovers, at its best, Château Pichon Lalande is one of the best examples of Bordeaux wine from Pauillac. Sensuous textures, deep concentrated layers of ripe fruit and a perfume filled with earth, tobacco and cassis are what you’ll find in Pichon Lalande.

Dating back to the 17^th century, the history behind Château Pichon Longueville is a long one starting with Pierre de Mazure de Rauzan responsible for forming many of what are now widely considered the top Bordeaux wine producing properties today.  The vineyards Pichon Lalande earned its name years later when Thérèse, daughter of the founder, received the estate as a dowry when she married Jacques de Pichon Longueville.  Château Pichon Lalande remained unaltered and in the hands of one single family for more than 250 years, up to the French Revolution.

Baron Joseph de Pichon Longueville succeeded his mother and took over Pichon Lalande when he was only 19 and continued until his death at 90.  During this time Pichon Lalande earned the coveted Second Class designation in the 1855 Classification.

The estate was eventually divided and ended up making two very different styles of Bordeaux wine from Pauillac. That is still the case today.  Virginie, the wife of the Count of Lalande took over the management of the estate under the name of Comtesse de Lalande.

Without heirs, Château Pichon Lalande was finally bought in 1925 by the Miailhe brothers, descendants of Bordeaux property owners and wine-brokers.  In 1978, ownership passed to May Eliane de Lencquesaing, Edouard Miailhe’s daughter, and for almost 30 years, she ran the family estate in person, and under her management the cru took on a new dimension.

May-Eliane de Lencquesaing sold Pichon Lalande to the owners of Roederer Champagne house in January 2007. This family-run company is managed by Frédéric Rouzaud and owns several other wine estates in Bordeaux:  Château  Bernadotte  - Château   de Pez  and Château   Haut Beausejour and Château Réaut la Gravière.  Château  Bernadotte was sold in December 2012.

Dinners ranged from nights of Honeybaked ham, turkey and homemade casseroles to lasagna, Greek salad, and mounds of cookies and cupcakes for dessert. The residents of Hope Lodge couldn’t have been more pleasant and appreciative of the time and effort volunteers put into preparing a delicious meal just for them. One resident expressed her gratitude saying, “We’ve been traveling all day from Knoxville to get here, and it feels so good to come in to a good hot meal, thank you so much!”

The gratitude and warmth felt from the residents was incredible. It made the volunteer experience very rewarding. The Hope Lodge residents undergoing cancer treatment at the Hope Lodge are the reason the Nashville Wine Auction works so hard to fund the fight against cancer. Our goal is to continue to show Hope Lodge residents our support. We hope you will join us in the near future.

Our next night to prepare dinner is:

• Sunday, April 28^th 5:30 pm-7:00 pm

If you would like to participate, please contact Taylor Prince at taylor@nashvillewineauction.com.

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.

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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.

Saturday, March 9, 2013

First Course

Fennel Salad
Shaved Fennel, Celery Root, Ruby Red Grapefruit, Golden Raisin Puree, Champagne Sorghum Vinaigrette, House Cured Pork Salami, Crispy Caramelized Onions
~
2010 Sauvignon Blanc

Second Course
Lobster Corn Flan
Tomato Lobster Coulis, Lambs Lettuce, Smoked Sesame Cracker
~
2011 KARIA Chardonnay

Third Course
Rabbit Confit Cake
Caramelized Onions, Wild Mushrooms, Bordelaise Sauce, Spinach
~
2008 Merlot

Fourth Course
Lamb Pasta
English Pea Pappardelle, Braised Leg of Lamb, Roasted Sunchokes,
Golden Beets, Leeks, Brandy Lamb Jus, Herbed Ricotta, Roasted Garlic Tuile
~
2010 ARTEMIS Cabernet Sauvignon

Fifth Course
Beef Cheeks
Creamy Carrot Polenta, Grilled Parsley Root, Natural Jus
~
2009 SLV Cabernet Sauvignon

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Holly Whaley, Executive Director
Holly@NashvilleWineAuction.com
615-329-1760 or 615-400-0013
Or Vivek Surti, Marketing Specialist
Vivek@NashvilleWineAuction.com
615-329-1760 or 615-812-6161
www.NashvilleWineAuction.com

NASHVILLE WINE AUCTION GEARS UP FOR 34TH ANNUAL L’ETÉ DU VIN TO FIGHT CANCER
Country’s oldest wine auction to feature wine regions of France

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (May 14, 2013) – The Nashville Wine Auction is pleased to announce the 34th Annual l’Eté du Vin, which will take place from July 17-20, 2013. This year’s auction theme, Pour de France, will highlight the most notable wine regions of France, specifically Champagne, Burgundy and Bordeaux.

This year’s Co-Chairs, Jim and Lisa Fitzsimmons and Doug and Denise McMillan, are committed to continuing the traditions of all l’Eté du Vin events. “We are extremely excited to host these events to continue our efforts in raising money to support the fight against cancer,” says Nashville Wine Auction’s Executive Director, Holly Whaley. “We look forward to continued growth for our beneficiaries!”

As attendees “pour” their way through the wine regions of France, they will be joined by three guests of honor: Pierre-Emmanuel Taittinger, Martine Saunier and Nicolas Glumineau. Pierre-Emmauel Taittinger is the president of The Taittinger Estate, which is the third-oldest wine producing house in Champagne and one of the few remaining Champagne houses that is family-owned. Distinguished for its extensive vineyard holdings of 752 acres, Taittinger is recognized worldwide among connoisseurs for its delicate and natural flavor.

Martine Saunier, founder of Martine’s Wines, Inc., is commonly referred to as a “rock star of the wine world.” Martine has dedicated her life to bringing French wines to America and is the first woman to establish a wine importing company in the United States. Martine has earned an excellent reputation for her ability to recognize the most exceptional burgundies.

Nicolas Glumineau is the Chief Executive Officer of Chateau Pichon Langueville Comtesse de Lalande. Nicolas has spent time in some of Bordeaux’s greatest vineyards, including Chateau Margaux, Chateau Haut-Brion and Chateau Montrose. Chateau Pichon Langueville Comtesse de Lalande has been run by only three families whose work has made this Chateau and its Pauillac wines world-class.

The schedule of events is as follows:

• Grand Cru Evening, Thursday, June 20, 2013 – $250/person
• A Year in Burgundy, Wednesday, July 17, 2013 – $30/person, $100/VIP
• Vintners’ Tasting, Thursday, July 18, 2013 – $135/person
• Patrons’ Dinner, Friday, July 19, 2013 – $1000/person
• 34th Annual l’Eté du Vin, Saturday, July 20, 2013 – $275/person

The Grand Cru Evening will kick off l’Eté du Vin with a cocktail party for the Ladies’ and Gentlemen’s Underwriting Committee. The Nashville Wine Auction Catalog will be previewed on this night, allowing guests a glimpse of the wines to be auctioned.

A Year in Burgundy will be hosted by guest of honor, Martine Saunier, who will showcase her documentary, A Year in Burgundy, at The Franklin Theater. Guests can sample white and red burgundies and nibble on truffle popcorn as they learn about the French wine-making process. VIP guests will be able to attend a pre-event reception with Martine, taste premium wines, and have special seating.

The following evening will feature a unique selection of French Wines. With the guests of honor, the Vintners’ Tasting will give attendees the opportunity to learn more about the highlighted wines in depth.

The Patrons’ Dinner is an exclusive opportunity for the gourmand. James Beard Award winning chef, Sean Brock (McCrady’s Restaurant and Husk, Charleston, SC), will return to the Hermitage Hotel with Chef Tyler Brown (Capitol Grille, Nashville, TN) to prepare an exquisite night of wine and food.

At l’Eté du Vin, guests will enjoy a superb selection of wines, indulge in an impressive dinner, and bid on the wines, dinners, fine gifts, and travel featured in both Live and Silent Auctions. Great music and dancing conclude a celebratory evening all in support of a great cause!

ABOUT NASHVILLE WINE AUCTION: 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’s Hope Lodge, Pearl Point 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.

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The Perfect Combination of Fine Wines, Extraordinary Cuisine, and a Desire to Fund the Fight Against Cancer

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Feb. 4, 2013) – The Nashville Wine Auction’s inaugural PAIRINGS event is sold out! Thank you for your support of our newest event, featuring Napa Valley’s Stags Leap District Winegrowers Association and prominent Chefs. We are still accepting names for the wait list.

Please note that even though this event is sold out, we do still have LIMITED space available for our Private Vintner Dinners the following night. For more information on how to be a part of these unique and intimate dinners, please click here.

For more information about the Nashville Wine Auction, please visit our website at http://www.NashvilleWineAuction.com.

# # #

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/Camp Horizon & Hope Lodge, The Minnie Pearl Cancer Foundation, Gilda’s Club/Nashville, Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Middle Tennessee, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Saint Thomas Cancer Network, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and Williamson Medical Center Foundation.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Jan. 29, 2013) – The Nashville Wine Auction is thrilled to announce that it has already reached halfway to sellout capacity for its brand new fundraiser, Pairings: A Food and Wine Celebration. The inaugural event is nearly two months away, and tickets are selling fast. The fundraiser will feature a full slate of esteemed winemakers showcasing their great wines paired with a four-course dinner created by the region’s most notable chefs.

Pairings will be held Friday, March 8, 2013, from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Noah Liff Opera Center. Each course will be 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. Fans of Cabernet Sauvignon likely know of the Stags Leap District as a sub-appellation that produces wines with an intriguing combination of elegance and accessibility or intensity and softness.

The evening begins with an Appetizer Reception featuring a variety of creations from all of the featured chefs. Wines available during the reception will include vintages from the Baldacci Family Vineyards, Chimney Rock, Cliff Lede Vineyards, Ilsley Vineyards, Robinson Family Vineyards, Silverado Vineyards, Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, and Taylor Family Vineyards.

The formal dinner includes:

First Course

Featured Chefs:

• Will Uhlhorn of Table 3 in Nashville
• John Fleer of Canyon Kitchen at Lonesome Valley in Cashiers, N.C.

Featured Wine:

• 2012 Taylor Hillside Chardonnay from Taylor Family Vineyards

Second Course

Featured Chefs:

• Tandy Wilson of City House in Nashville
• James Beard Award winner Nate Appleman of New York, N.Y.

Featured Wine:

• 2009 FAY Estate Cabernet Sauvignon from Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars

Third Course

Featured Chefs:

• Tyler Brown of Capitol Grille at the Hermitage Hotel in Nashville
• Andrew Ticer of Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen in Memphis
• Michael Hudman of Hog & Hominy in Memphis

Featured Wine:

• 2010 SOLO Cabernet Sauvignon from Silverado Vineyards

Fourth Course

Featured Chef:

• Tandra Watkins of Capital Hotel in Little Rock, Ark.

Featured Wine:

• Tomahawk Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from Chimney Rock

Vegetarian options for each course will be prepared by Chef Roderick Bailey of Silly Goose in Nashville.

To learn more about each of the featured chefs, visit www.nashvillewineauction.com/news/pairings-chef-lineup-announced.

In addition, Pairings will include 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. For more information, you can preview these auction items online at NashvilleWineAuction.com.

“We all deserve an opportunity to experience the most sumptuous foods with exquisite wines, and if that night also serves to raise much needed funds to fight cancer right here in Middle Tennessee, so much the better,” said Keri V. McInnis, Pairings chairman.

“We are proud of our efforts to date on behalf of cancer patients and research facilities in the Nashville area, and it’s a sign of our continuing success that we are able to expand our calendar in 2013 with a brand new event,” said Holly Hearn Whaley, executive director of the Nashville Wine Auction. “With the culinary talent we’ve assembled and the world-famous Stags Leap District vineyards represented, the availability of tables at the inaugural Pairings event is closing quickly.”

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.

For information on purchasing tickets for Pairings, please visit www.NashvilleWineAuction.com.

# # #

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/Camp Horizon & Hope Lodge, The Minnie Pearl Cancer Foundation, Gilda’s Club/Nashville, Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Middle Tennessee, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Saint Thomas Cancer Network, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and Williamson Medical Center Foundation.

Featuring Taittinger Champagne and the French Wines of Martine Saunier

with special guests Pierre Emmanuel Taittinger and Martine Saunier
Saturday, July 17-20, 2013
Jim and Lisa Fitzsimmons and Doug and Denise McMillan, Co-Chairs

Grand Cru Evening
Thursday, June 20, 2013
A Private Home TBA, 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Exclusive Cocktail Party for the Ladies’ and Gentlemen’s Underwriting Committee
Auction Preview
$250/person

A Year in Burgundy
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
The Franklin Theater, 6:30pm – 9:00pm
Nashville Premiere of the documentary A Year in Burgundy
Hosted by Martine Saunier
Wine Sampling and Hors d’Oeuvres
$30/person

l’Eté du Vin Vintners’ Tasting
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Hillwood Country Club, 6:00pm – 9:00pm
A seated structured tasting featuring
French Wines from Champagne, Burgundy, Bordeaux and the Rhone Valley
Special Guest Martine Saunier and Pierre-Emmanuel Taittinger, President, Taittinger Champagne
$135/person

l’Eté du Vin Patrons’ Dinner
Friday, July 19, 2013
The Hermitage Hotel, 7:00pm – 10:00pm
Four-Course Gourmet Meal
Prepared by James Beard Award Winner, Chef Sean Brock, Husk, Charleston, SC
$1,000/person

l’Eté du Vin
Saturday, July 20, 2013
$275/person

5:00pm Silent Auction and Reception
100 Lots of Fine Wine, Luxury Items
Wine Sampling and Hors d’oeuvres

7:00pm Live Auction and Seated Dinner
70 Lots of Rare and Fine Wines, Gourmet Dinners, World-class Wine Tastings,
Luxury Wine Trips, Art, Jewelry, Cars, Celebrity Experiences

10:00pm After Party
Dessert Buffets and Live Music, Auction Item Pick Up

*Nashville Wine Auction reserves the right to adjust the details of these events as we get closer to July 2013.

From left to right: Co-Chair Doug McMillan, Board President Diane Madison-Jammal, Board Vice President Pam Taylor, Co-Chair Jim Fitzsimmons, Lisa Fitzsimmons, Denise McMillan

The festivities begin on Wednesday with a screening of A Year in Burgundy, hosted by Martine Saunier, at the Franklin Theater on Wednesday, July 17. Guests will enjoy selections of wine and hors d’oeuvres as they watch a documentary about vintners and winemaking in the popular French region of Burgundy. The Vintners’ Tasting is on Thursday, July 18, from 6:00-9:00 pm and features French wines from Champagne, Burgundy, Bordeaux and the Rhone Valley. To celebrate our Guests of Honor, the Patrons’ dinner will take place on Friday, July 19 at the Hermitage Hotel from 7:00-10:00 pm. This four-course gourmet meal will be prepared by James Beard Award Winner, Chef Sean Brock of Husk in Charleston. Finally, on Saturday, July 20, l’Eté du Vin presents its Silent and Live Auctions. During the Silent Auction, guests can bid on 100 lots of fine wine and luxury items while sampling savory wine and hors d’oeuvres. The Live Auction includes a seated dinner and features 70 lots of rare and fine wines, gourmet dinners, world-class wine tastings, trips, and many more exciting items.

After Jim and Doug enthusiastically described the eventful week, other committee members discussed their positions and duties to make this event a success. During the meeting, the atmosphere was filled with excitement as committee members look forward to the 34^th annual l’Eté du Vin.