By DANA DUGAN
and SABINA DANA PLASSE
Express Staff Writers
When master of ceremonies David Reynolds began the Sun Valley Center for the Arts 26th annual wine auction on Friday evening, he made sure everyone followed one simple rule: "No spousal restraint," he said. "There will be a $500 fine on the spot. For the second offense the offending spouse will be ejected." His words prompted hearty laughter, and two hours of vigorous bidding resulting in a gross of $1,347,145 for the Sun Valley Center for the Arts.
The festival of wine auction events began on Thursday, July 19, with vintner dinners held at private residences in the area. At the home of Lois Rosen in Ketchum, for instance, the Rombauer family represented their family vineyard, along with Hall Wines, a neighboring vineyard. The dinner was catered by Silver Fox Catering.
Koerner Rombauer, the elder, whose great-aunt Irma Rombauer was the author of "The Joy of Cooking," began the eponymous vineyard in 1982, after a decade of learning the business from the wine cellar up. He said he and his wife, Joan, were taken under the wing of Silver Oak Winery. In turn, he has mentored the Hall family in building its own quality label. The Hall's young winemaker, Richard Batchelor, presented the winery's wines alongside the Rombauer's. Rombauer had formerly been a Braniff pilot for more than 30 years and retains a sense of humor that still flies high.
While opening a new bottle of wine, he said, "When people say it'll be good in four to five years, well how do we know we'll be here in four to five years." Pop cork. Drink.
His son, KR, and daughter, Sheana, continue the family business with an interest in viticulture and the environment.
"We learn something new every year," KR said. "It's true when we say that fine wine begins on the vine."
On Friday, the Wine Auction Gala was held under the tent at River Run Lodge. The thrills began with a spectacular demonstration by members of the legendary Cirque de Soleil who spun and flew around inside the tent to the delight of patrons.
The silent wine auction with several wine lots included the Sun Valley Trout Series Collection, which closed at $6,150.
Highlights of the evening also included the winning bid of $90,000 for a 10-day trip for four and Sun Valley Center board member Sarah Nelson's winning bid of $130,000 for a hybrid Lexus sedan.
Two of the Center's scholarship recipients, Rika Pere and Everett Ford preformed a duet. They are both students at the Idlewild School of Music & Arts in Southern California.
At the grand tasting on Saturday, there were great finds including some with quirky names such as a 2004 O'Shaughnessy Merlot from Napa Valley and Sleight of Hand from Walla Walla, Wash. Other favorites were the Foley wines from Santa Ynez Valley, Calif., which ran out early at the tasting due to popular demand, and the Elkhorn Ridge from Sun Valley, touted by several valley residents including wine auction chairs Liz and Rufus Brown.
There was a large turnout for the picnic on Saturday evening at the Big Wood Golf Course, featuring a delectable buffet catered by Duane Runswick of Feast and several bustling wine tasting tables. Music by Mumbo Gumbo provided lively and festive music, bringing picnickers to their dancing feet.
Many vintners attended their own functions such as a private party held in Lane Ranch for Seattle's WAWA (Whoop Ass Winos wine club). The well-attended event was catered by Ric Lum and featured a performance by singer Tiya Wilson.
Everyone in attendance brought a favorite bottle of wine, creating their own exclusive wine tasting.
The funds raised from the auction go toward supporting The Center's numerous arts programs. The annual event is one of the most lucrative and prestigious charity wine auctions in the nation.
Sun Valley Center for the Arts board of trustees member Sarah Nelson, seated, is the winner of a hybrid Lexus sedan at The Center?s Friday wine auction. Lexus representative David Palmer fills Nelson?s glass in celebration, and The Center?s board president, Trina Peters, enjoys the moment. Photo by Chris Pilaro
