April 22, 2002

MY THEME THIS YEAR is community service and our local wineries are giving their all for an upcoming event. Sandi Bohner and Bill Webster's Little Valley Vineyard, Donna and Keith Flavetta's Elliston Vineyards, and Lanny and Fran Replogle's Fenestra Winery will participate in the illustrious California Wine Auction on May 17 and 18.

Hosted by the Livermore Valley Winegrowers Foundation, the Eighth Annual California Wine Auction is a non-profit event benefiting the Intensive Care and Pediatric Units at the Valley Care Medical Center, Hope Hospice Children's and Teen's Bereavement Program, the Taylor Family Foundation's Camp Arroyo for Children, and the Oakland East Bay Symphony.

Sandi, who helped kick off the auction preview with a pouring of her White Rabbit Tempranillo for guests at the Wine and Roses pre-auction gala on April 13, filled me in. The preview was held at the elegant Rose Hotel in Pleasanton and Elliston Vineyards Executive Chef Brian Krediet provided complimentary cuisine to accompany the tastings of premium wines of the Livermore Valley.

The wines to be auctioned in May are all donated by the wineries, each of which fills a 12-liter, one-of-a-kind bottle, decorated in this year's theme, "The Glory that was Rome." If you've never seen a 12-liter bottle, it's BIG! And the bids are big, too, which is great, given the deserving charities receiving the profits. At last year's auction, Sandi and Bill's bottle went for $6,000, and this year's bottle is a fitting follow-up. Filled with exotic tempranillo, the bottle is decorated with original, handcrafted terra cotta medallions, designed by none other than Sunolian Tom Harland.

You can see this beautiful creation, as well as those of the Elliston, Fenestra and the other Livermore Valley wineries, at the Wine Steward on Main Street in Pleasanton and First Street Wine in Livermore.

The auction weekend begins with the Friday Night Preview at Ruby Hill Golf Club in Pleasanton on May 17 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. The organizers promise food from the East Bay's finest chefs paired with Livermore Valley wines, and a chance to check out the wines to be auctioned. There will be a silent auction that night to whet bidders' appetites for the main event on Saturday, May 18. Attire is casual for the evening and tickets cost $75 each, with a limit of 500 guests.

Saturday evening's event will take place at Wente Vineyards in Livermore and it will be a very special night for the 200 people who attend. Guests in cocktail attire will enjoy an elegant five-course gourmet dinner prepared by celebrity chefs, dancing until midnight, and of course, the auction featuring rare and unique wine and exciting travel, cultural and dining experiences. The cost for the evening is $250 per guest, or you can savor both evenings for $300. To find out more or reserve your tickets, call the Livermore Valley Winegrowers Association at 925-447-WINE (9463).

EXPLORATION DAY UPDATE: Sunol Glen School's annual career and hobby experience is coming up on May 3 and help is still needed to make this worthwhile day all it can be for our students. According to chairperson Lisa Harper, in addition to those fine folks who are already on the roster, volunteers are needed as follows: Greet and escort presenters: 3; assist a presenter: 3; kitchen: 6; event photographer: 1 or more; call room parents for salads and desserts: 3 or more; set up May 2 and May 3, clean up: the more the better. Please consider helping and contact Lisa at 925-862-0426 or by e-mail at harper12@attbi.com. Thanks!