Spottswoode’s Style at 2010 Auction Napa Valley Garden party, e-lot, live lot and overall stewardship of the event
Beth Novak Milliken and her mother Mary Novak, of Spottswoode Estate Vineyard & Winery, served as the Honorary Chairs of the 30th annual Auction Napa Valley, June 3-6, 2010. In today’s competitive world, what can the winery do to stand out?
How about the dinner for ‘big bidders’ on June 3, at the historic estate property, in the beautiful gardens with the estate vineyard and the Victorian estate home as a backdrop, prepared by Lissa Doumani (Terra in St. Helena and Ame in San Francisco), Nancy Oakes (Boulevard, San Francisco), Nicole Plue (Redd in Yountville) and Nancy Silverton (Pizzeria Mozza, Osteria Mozza, Los Angeles).
Guests enjoyed:
Passed Hors d’oeuvres
Somen with Sea Urchin & Kampachi Sashimi – Lissa Doumani
American White Sturgeon Caviar on Crispy Puffed Rice – Nancy Oakes
Fried Squash Blossoms filled with Goia Ricotta Cheese – Nancy Silverton
Spottswoode Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Schramsberg “J. Schram” 2001
First Course
Tuna Kibbe with Za’atar Flat Bread – Lissa Doumani
Spottswoode Sauvignon Blanc 2005
Second Course
Garganelli Verde with Ragu Bolognese – Nancy Silverton
Colgin IX 2005; Dalla Valle Maya 1990; Harlan Estate 2000;
Jones Family Cabernet Sauvignon 2003; Oakville Ranch Robert’s Blend 2006; Pillar Rock Cabernet Sauvignon 2007; Shafer Merlot 2007;
Staglin ‘Stagliano’ Sangiovese 2005; Vineyard 7 & 8 Estate Cabernet 2007
Main Course
Braised Painted Hills Short Rib with Smoked Marble Potatoes,
Caramelized King Trumpet Mushrooms & Onions, Potato Mousseline
Nancy Oakes
Spottswoode Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, 2007 & 2003
Dessert
Butterscotch Sundae:
Vanilla Rum Ice Cream, Pecans & Salted Butter Galette – Nicole Plue
Heitz Angelica 1974
At this time of year, the Spottswoode estate garden is one of northern California’s most unusual settings, with its rare Japanese pagoda tree in bloom, its enormous distinctive palm trees framing the lawn in front of the estate home (built in 1882) and an array of other trees—including a deodar cedar, Japanese maples, orange trees, Valley oaks, cork oaks---and flowers---from magnolias to roses and other perennials---dazzling the senses. The trees are as ‘mature’ as the home, all worthy senior statesmen of the northern Napa Valley at more than 100 years of age.
“The opening night dinner in the gardens of the Novaks’ Victorian mansion will reflect the charm of both the home and that of the owner, Mary Novak,” explains Mary Ross, whose special event firm Five Star Productions is directing all the details. “It’s all about ease and simplicity - sage green natural linen table drapes with embroidered polka dots, crisp white linen napkins, white china with a simple embossed rim, Riedel crystal stemware for wines, Victorian-styled cut crystal water goblets and abundant arrangements of garden flowers encircling the giant historic palm tree on the front lawn. The backdrop for this very special dinner will be the Victorian home and stunning view of the mountains and vineyards against a setting summer sun,” she added.
“This will be a memorable evening because we, along with various vintner hosts (Colgin, Dalla Valle, Harlan, Jones Family, Oakville Ranch, Pillar Rock, Shafer, Staglin and Vineyard 7&8) are honoring our long-time big bidders to thank them for their incredible generosity and support over the years,” Beth Novak Milliken explains.
Other elements distinguishing Spottswoode’s stature at this year’s Auction----an e-lot consisting of an extremely rare vertical of six double magnum (3L) bottles from the winery’s cellar (one 3L each from the 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 vintages)? The bottles have unusual hand-printed labels used only on Spottswoode’s library wines; each bottle was signed by Mary Novak and Beth Novak Milliken. The wines, valued at $3,960, sold for $8,300.00. The lot included six etched Riedel Extreme Bordeaux glasses, which the winery had commissioned to commemorate the 125th Anniversary of the Spottswoode Estate in 2007.
How about an auction lot which exemplifies the winery’s commitment to land stewardship and, literally, adventure? Lot 20, to be auctioned during the live auction on Saturday, June 5, encompasses:
- a once-in-a-lifetime trip for four to a stunning location of your choice with The Trust for Public Land (could be to spectacular spots ranging from the U.S. Virgin Islands, Idaho, Santa Fe, the San Juan Islands, the Green Mountains in Vermont, or beyond)
- a donation of 1% of the hammer price, in the bidder’s name, to support the work of The Trust for Public Land
- a Patagonia clothing shopping spree to get outfitted for the trip (of $1,000 per person)
- a private dinner at the Spottswoode Estate home prepared by chef Cindy Pawlcyn (Mustard’s Grill, Cindy’s Backstreet Kitchen, Go Fish) accompanied by Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignons from the 1980s forward
- one 3L bottle each of Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon from the 1986, 1991, 1996, 2001 and 2006 vintages (these represent the 5th, 10th, 15th, 20th and 25th Anniversary wines, respectively)
- 1 case of 750 mls of 2007 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon
- 1 case of 1.5Ls of 2007 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon
- 1 3L of 2007 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon.
Spottswoode is unique amongst Napa Valley wineries for a number of reasons. It is a true family wine estate, having been founded by Jack and Mary Novak in 1977. It’s a winery which makes wines ‘of a place,’ honoring its estate vineyard by consistently producing wines of elegance, structure and balance. It’s a winery solidly figuring in Napa Valley history because of its early commitment to organic farming, as well as to the stewardship of its estate property and the award-winning restoration of its historic buildings. It’s a winery whose vineyards illustrate the changes and refinements in Napa Valley viticulture over the last 25 years—one example is moving from a vineyard initially planted entirely to AXR-1 and today a blend of various rootstocks and clones. Since 2007, Spottswoode has committed 1% of its annual revenue as part of a commitment to the efforts of environmental organizations certified by the group 1% for the Planet.
Currently available—in limited release---are the 2007 Spottswoode Estate Cabernet Sauvignon ($130), 2009 Spottswoode Sauvignon Blanc ($36) and 2007 Lyndenhurst Cabernet Sauvignon ($60). Sold out is the first release of Field Book: 2007 “Rhone” ($45).
Spottswoode Estate Vineyard and Winery is open for tours and tastings on Tuesdays and Fridays at 10:00 a.m., by appointment only, by calling 707/963-0134x15 or emailing tours@spottswoode.com. The winery is located in St. Helena at 1902 Madrona Avenue. More at www.spottswoode.com. Whom You Know will be reviewing a few Spottswoode selections at the suggestion of Anna Getty. We reviewed her book:
Today’s Spottswoode Estate came to be in 1882 when German immigrant George Schonewald purchased 31 acres at the foot of the Mayacamas mountain range in what is today the town of St. Helena. He planted 17 acres of wine grapes and designed and built an elegant home with formal gardens, which he named Esmeralda. In 1884, he sold several acres north of the estate to Frank Kraft, who built a farmhouse and sandstone wine cellar which served as the Kraft Winery until the late 1880s. In 1906 Schonewald sold the property to Joseph Bliss, who called the estate Stonehurst. In 1908 Dr. George Allen bought the property and named it Lyndenhurst in honor of the linden trees in the gardens. In 1910 Allen sold the estate to Mrs. Albert Spotts, who renamed it Spottswoode in honor of her late husband. The property was owned by her descendants until Mary and Jack Novak bought it in 1972, moving with their five children from southern California to enjoy a rural life in Napa Valley. In 2007 Spottswoode Winery celebrated the 125th anniversary of the estate with an array of events, including a 25-year vertical tasting of Cabernet Sauvignon at the winery and dinners in Los Angeles, San Francisco, London and Manhattan.
The Trust for Public Land: TPL is a national, non-profit conservation organization committed to conserving land from the wilderness to the inner city, ensuring livable communities for future generation; the organization offers a range of trips exploring America’s most scenic and treasured landscapes. More at http://www.tpl.org/
Patagonia: Founded by Yvon Chouinard in 1973, Patagonia is the leader in producing the highest quality outdoor clothing and equipment with the strongest environmental awareness and respect. More at http://www.patagonia.com/web/
