SAN FRANCISCO

M AY/J U N E 2014

THE AUCTION NAPA VALLEY ISSUE

THE MEN OF A U C T I ON NAPA VA L LEY CHEF C H RISTOPHER KOSTOW, DAVID DUNC A N & JEFF GARGIULO A CENTENNIAL CELE B R ATION ROB E RT MO NDAVI SR. TURNS 100

PLUS THE FRENC H LAUNDRY ’ S CH EF DE C U ISINE DAVID BR EEDEN & VINTNERS ROB I N LAIL & C A R M E N POLIC Y + YO UR HAUTE INSIDER’ S GUIDE TO THE 2014 AUC T ION $20.00 special feature

HEART AND SOLE YOUR HAUTE GUIDE TO THE 9TH ANNUAL FESTIVAL DEL SOLE

BY ANGELLA SPRAUVE

very summer, the very best of music, dance, theater, the highlight of the festival. Meadowood’s beautiful, elegantly rustic setting is wellness, food and wine come together in spectacular fashion at the perfect backdrop for the Festival’s annual charity event, which includes an the Festival Del Sole. Now in its ninth year, Napa Valley’s 10-day alfresco dinner, a live auction and a performance by the Concord Jazz All Stars music and lifestyle festival offers festivalgoers the best artistic and 10-time Grammy Award Winner and Cuban jazz legend Arturo Sandoval. experiences that wine country has to offer. Here are the highlights Monday, July 14th – Thursday, July 17th of this year’s magical event, an event which celebrates the art of life. Pace yourself through the second half of the festival, which includes another Thursday, July 10th – Saturday, July 12th lineup of incredible events highlighted by the Patron Dinner at the Grgich Festival del Sole opens with the exclusive Founders Dinner hosted by Claire Hills Estate on Monday evening. The momentum picks up on Tuesday with and Steven Stull, who will welcome benefactors and patrons to their home for this year’s first Bouchaine Young Artist Series concert featuring bassist Xavier a VIP reception and dinner. The festival then officially kicks off to the public Foley. On Wednesday, you may choose to start early with a concert and a on Friday with a performance courtesy of violinist Joshua Bell at Castello di Vintner’s Luncheon at Jaffe Estate or, instead, opt for the upscale evening affair Amorosa. After the concert, VIP pass holders will descend through Castello as Zukerman Chamber Players performs under the stars at Castello di Amorosa. di Amorosa’s candelit caves for a special Patrons Dinner. Rise and shine on Following the performance, Robert Mondavi Winery will welcome VIP guests Saturday with a gentle yoga session overlooking Sullivan Vineyards before for a birthday dinner celebration for Mr. Zukerman. You’ll be in for a special treat heading to Taste of Napa for a cornucopia of gourmet food and wine. Rest on Thursday as well as Festival del Sole presents its full-length chamber opera up for a few hours, then head to see Pinchas Zuckerman and the Sphinx dedicated to the tunes of the late Leonard Bernstein. Following the performance, Symphony Orchestra, the world’s only all Black and Latino professional head over to the evening’s Patrons Dinner, which is presented by Alpha Omega. orchestra, followed by a concert and Patron Dinner at Gargiulo Vineyards. Friday, July 18th – Saturday, July 19th Trust us when we say that Friday and Saturday will be two of the most exciting, Sunday, July 13th action-packed days of the Festival. Friday starts off in style, as Tiffany & Festival del Sole’s Annual Gala at Meadowood Napa Valley is, without a doubt, Co. are hosting a dazzling luncheon at the Auberge du Soleil. Tiffany’s will

5252 showcase its collection of magnificent diamond and gemstone jewelry with the help of gemologist Melvyn Kirtley. After the morning of sparkles and bling, you’ll be well prepared for an evening of major events starting with the Dance Gala, featuring a show by Polina Semionova, who will perform with an all-star cast of principal dancers from , , Staat Ballett Berlin, and the National Ballet of Canada. Finally, the patron dinner at Hall Winery will be a fitting end to the evening. There, VIP guests will enjoy a welcome reception in the winery’s sophisticated new tasting room followed by dinner on the lawn overlooking the Mayacamas. The evening ends on an unforgettable note, when opera stars Maria Agresta and Matthew Polenzani perform a moonlight serenade under the stars. To date, one of the most talked-about events of the festival thus far is the Saturday night tribute to at Far Niente. Loren’s son, conductor Carlo Ponti , will be on hand to debut his new LA Virtuosi chamber orchestra. will also be in attendance to introduce the evening as stars of stage and screen pay homage to Ms. Loren and her life’s work.

Sunday, July 20th The events that bring the Festival Del Sole to a close are always bittersweet. Start the end slowly and take things easy with lunch among the vines at Ehlers Estate’s Wine Country Brunch. An afternoon of rest will be well-deserved before the festival comes to a triumphant close at its annual Opera Gala, with performances by leading opera stars Maria Agresta and Matthew Polenzani, followed by a closing dinner and ceremonies at Chimney Rock, capping one of the truly most memorable events of the season. Nina Kotova and Vadym Kholodenko perform at Opus One at Festival Del Sole 2013

Meadowood Gala at Festival del Sole 2013

Kelly O’Connor performs with the Russian National Orchestra conducted by Carlo Montanaro at Festival Del Sole 2013

5@571667::A3AB/B3>6=B=1=C@B3AG=41=C@B3AG=45@571667::A3AB/B3’;3/2=E==25/://B43A- B7D/:23:A=:3  !1@327B;=/6=B=5@/>6G’1=<13@B/B1/AB3::=27/;=@=A//B 43AB7D/:23:A=:3  !1@327BD70=BB/@=’<76=B=5@/>6G’93::G=¸1=<<=@1@327B2@3E/:B7H3@>6=B=5@/>6G

Concert at Castello di Amorosa at Festival Del Sole 2013 Monica Mancini at the Meadowood Gala at Festival Del Sole

53