Exceptional Vintage Wines to be Featured at 4th Annual St. Mark’s Cellar Classic
All proceeds from the Cellar Classic support local community programs and services including the Circle V Ranch Camp, Lompoc Hospital Foundation and the Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital Foundation Endowment Fund as well as more than 40 area organizations that utilize St. Mark’s meeting and event spaces—such as the Santa Ynez Valley Jewish congregation, recovery groups, Food Bank, Santa Ynez Valley Master Chorale and Solvang Festival Theatre.
According to Church Rector Rev. Dr. Randall Day, “We also actively support the arts with free concerts, exhibitions of painting, photography and sculpture. Our Pre-school provides top-flight early childhood education. St. Mark’s embraces a spacious Christianity where there is room for absolutely everyone. All are invited to attend the Cellar Classic, a truly an exceptional community benefit event.”
The Cellar Classic is coordinated by a dedicated volunteer committee led by Steve Pepe (co-owner of Clos Pepe Vineyards) and Brooks Firestone (owner of Curtis Winery) along with 2013 Honorary Co-chairs Alison Wrigley Rusack and Geoffrey Rusack (owners of Rusack Vineyards & Winery). Pepe remarked, “This 2013 auction list is developing as one of the best ever in terms of donations and includes many standout vintages given by St. Mark’s very generous members as well as friends in the community. For example, a 1961 Chateau Lafitte Rothschild, a superstar Bordeaux First Growth from one of the top three vintages of the last century, was donated by Ann and Steve Morgan. I am so grateful to see the level of support we are receiving again this year.”
The Cellar Classic will begin with a silent auction featuring wines and wine country-themed lifestyle items from 4:00-5:00 p.m. Following the silent auction will be a live auction conducted by professional auctioneer John Glines. The live auction will feature a one-of-a-kind specially etched magnum of Alison Wrigley Rusack and Geoff Rusack’s initial 2009 vintage of Santa Catalina Pinot Noir from the first planting from the only vineyard on Catalina Island (Mrs. Rusack’s great-grandfather, William Wrigley, Jr., bought and developed the property more than a century ago.)
Among the rare and classic wines included are: 1949 Leroy Musigny, 1953 Margaux and Mouton Rothschild, 1959 Leroy Chambertin, 1959 Mouton-Rothschild (2 bottles), 1961 Latour, 4.5 liter of 1975 Chateau Lafite Rothschild, 1982 Chateau Lafite Rothschild, 1982 La Mission Haut Brion, 1996 Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve-Unfiltered, 1997 Gary Farrell Encounter-Pine Mountain Sonoma County Red Wine. 1997 Pahlmeyer Napa Valley Chardonnay, 1998 ZD Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, 1997 Spring Mountain Vineyard Miravalle-La Perla-Chevalier, Napa Valley Red wine, Magnum 2003 The Knot, Santa Ynez Valley Syrah, Magnum 2004 Qupe Bien Nacido Hillside Estate, Santa Maria Valley Syrah and a wide selection of palate pleasing ports.
Throughout the Cellar Classic, guests will enjoy local wines and bountiful gourmet hors d’oeuvres including Caviar Canapes, Mini Roast Beef and Yorkshire Puddings with Horseradish Cream, Caramelized Onion and Goat Cheese Flatbreads, Medjool Dates and Prosciutto, Smoked Salmon and Cucumber Bites, as well as an array of cheeses, fresh vegetable crudités and delectable desserts—all accompanied by live entertainment featuring the unique blend of pedal harp and percussion from wine country favorite “She’s My Band,” the duo of musicians Pamela Harris and Carole Ann Colone as well as selections from St. Mark’s own Choir.
The Cellar Classic is always a sell-out since limited seating is available. Cellar Classic admission is $100 per person including local wines for tasting, hors d’oeuvres and entertainment—available only by advance reservation with payment by check, credit card or PayPal (online at www.SMITV.org) or by calling the office at (805) 688-4454 or send an email request to info@SMITV.org. For additional details, please visit www.SMITV.org