Jul 29, 2007

Vintage Affaire marks silver anniversary

By Janet Duca Norton / Society Columnist

The 25th annual Vintage Affaire benefit for the Palo Alto-based Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired continued its tradition of pairing award-winning wines, for auction and tasting, with gourmet dining in a gorgeous garden. One of California's largest wine auctions, the July 21 event represented many successful pairings, including perfect weather and a beautiful Woodside garden, 30 pouring vintners and a record-setting 22 sponsors, and 100 event volunteers and, most importantly, generous guests.

Over the years the Affaire has raised more than $5.5 million for the Vista Center. This year's event took a year to produce, attracted more than 500 guests and raised $420,000, which included a special direct donation made in honor of the auction's 25th anniversary.
What a difference 25 years makes. The first auction was held in Woodside at the Fleischhacker Estate Green Gables and had a single corporate sponsor (Union Bank, which is still a sponsor) and raised $65,000 for the center.

"We attracted a record number of underwriters this year: 22. Almost one for each year!" Vintage Affaire Foundation Board President Mary Johnson said. "And together they contributed more than $150,000 toward the event's sponsorship."

At the conclusion of the live auction, Vista Center Executive Director Pam Brandin, who is also a Vintage Affaire past president, gave an emotional impromptu speech, saying, "I'm very grateful for the amazing generosity of our wonderful donors, underwriters, attendees and volunteers. You allow us to serve more clients. I know at least 500 people who have received services at the center and have had their lives changed for the better."

Founded in 1936, this private nonprofit organization makes self-reliance possible for visually impaired residents of Santa Clara, San Mateo, Santa Cruz and San Benito counties. About 1,700 clients and their families are served each year, regardless of their ability to pay.

The silver anniversary celebration saluted Vintage Affaire founders and participants who have been involved with the event since it was first organized in 1981. Mona Armistead was the first president and co-founded the Affaire with Robert Hockey, who was in charge of donations and underwriting.

Included on the list of longtime supporters is renowned auctioneer Fritz Hatton, who has presided over the auction since the first year, and only missed once for his wedding; winemaker Paul Draper of Ridge Vineyards has poured his award-winning wines every year; Suzanne Legallet has been president twice and has volunteered since the beginning; Steve Hicks has chaired the Affaire wine advisers committee and has selected the featured wineries every year; David and Marilyn Pratt have participated since Day One; and Brandin was Affaire president in 1988 and is now Vista Center executive director.

Heading the guest list were Vintage Affaire past presidents Julian Burian, Martha Barry, Barb Peyton, Pam Perez, Gunilla Cook Follett, Suzi Tinsley, Andrea Johnston, Vanessa Roach, Nancye Beck, Stephanie von Thaden and Gigi Morgan, who came from Oregon with her husband Hank for the anniversary event.

The silent auction portion of the afternoon featured music by the Magnolia Jazz Band, an opportunity to meet the vintners and a chance to sample culinary masterpieces prepared by seven outstanding Bay Area chefs.

First-timers Donato Scotti of La Strada Ristorante Italiano and Kirti Pant of Junnoon Restaurant served their creations alongside veterans Robert Holt of Cetrella Bistro and Cafe, Zavier Salomon of the Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay, Allessandro Cartumini of Quattro Restaurant and Bar at the Four Seasons Hotel Silicon Valley, Robert Sapirman of Parcel 104 and Mark Sullivan of The Village Pub.

Delighted samplers included Affaire hosts Susan and Gary Martin, Larry and Pam Schwab, Barbara Williams, Brian Madigan, Ken and Caretha Coleman, David and Laura Krane, Terry and Mary Brown, and Sheryl and Bud Hyler.

Promptly at 4:30 p.m., Hatton and Ursula Hermacinski started the main event. The Pratt family continued their tradition of purchasing the auction's first lot, a signed Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon by David Ramey. Mona and Bob Armistead made the winning bid on the second lot, a case of Chateau l'Evangile.

One of the event highlights was an auction angel who spent almost $100,000. Big-ticket items were wine dinners hosted by auction donors as well as glamorous trips.

Joan Platt was one of two successful bidders on a special wine tour and tasting with Paul Draper at Ridge Montebello Upper Winery, and she also took home the exclusive 25-bottle library of wines from Fritz Hatton's Arietta Winery, some of which have never been released.

Hostess Susan Martin won a private dinner for eight and sleepover at the Four Seasons Silicon Valley. Former Vintage Affaire hosts Bill and Jane Walsh, who donated a Bordeaux collection spanning four decades and rare wines from the cellars of Trinity College in Ireland, won a topaz and diamond pendant by jeweler Erin MacGeraghty.

Janet Duca Norton's society column appears every Sunday in the Daily News. Send event information to 324 High St., Palo Alto, CA 94301, or e-mail society@paloaltodailynews.com or call (650) 327-9090, ext. 334.