Hey guys,

Got a few quick questions for you. A local business ( Commercial Properties Development ) and the Acadian Wine and Fine Dining Club is going to be hosting a fundraising event within the next couple of months to raise money for victims of Hurricane Katrina. All of the money raised will be donated to several small business owners, particularly the owners and chefs from small family restaurants in New Orleans. The event is still in the planning stage and my friend Deborah has asked me to help out by coming up with a list of 20-25 wines ( excluding Champagne, Port, and Sweet wines ) to accompany the ten course meal to be prepared by local chefs and AWFDC members. Now, Deborah has already sent out requests to several wineries for donations of 2 or 3 bottles ( Harlan, Verite, Colgin, Sine Qua Non, Shafer ), but I would like to help her come up with a good variety that will bring in as many potential donors as possible. Now, there is probably going to be a minimum donation of $500 per person, and even though that seems a bit high to me, they already have a few people confirmed for the event and they want to ensure that they make their goal of $20,000 since seats are going to be limited.

So, my questions for you are............

1. What are the 5 Cali/Oregon wines that would make you most want to attend an event like this?

2. Name your 4 favorite U.S. wines in 4 different varietals.

3. Do you like the ratio of 20-25 wines with 10 courses or would you prefer more wine/less food...less wine/more food?

4. Would you be more willing to spend $500 for this event if it was at a very elegant locale and you were picked up by a chauffer at your house and driven to the event?

Thanks for any input ya'll can give. I'm going to be forwarding this directly to Deborah at CPD, so please try not to stray to far off topic. Thanks again!

Jester

the best deal, as DavidN referred to, was owning Chalone in the early days. They used to hold a giant party after the shareholder’s meeting with lots of library wines. They still do parties for shareholders these days, but it is not the same.

Of course, this is still a better deal than investing in a restaurant

I own stock on Mondavi. Trading at 80% of book value, it's my Napa real estate play! While I haven't signed up yet, I understand that you can get 1/3 off on their club wines.

I own shares in Mondavi and Chalone. I bought them so I could get the discount on their wines but now I don't buy much of either.

As Bob says above, Chalone has had some great parties. They still do a dinner here in the Bay Area once or twice a year. They are always good.

With Mondavi you get a pretty good deal on Opus, but it is limited to two bottles per year. Also they offer some very good tours and classes at their Yountville facility. As a shareholder you get special smaller tours and supposidly go places in the winery that are normally off limits. One noon time we were touring with a group of eight other people and we all ended up having lunch with "BOB". You all know who "BOB" is. His daughter-in-law Pauline Peterson Mondavi did the cooking. Some lunch! Yummy wines too! And "BOB" likes to go around and give all the girls a hug and a kiss; maybe a little too much of a hug. But seriousely, it was great and never would have happend if we weren't shareholders.

I also bought (and later sold) shares of LVMH (Luis Vuiton Moet Hennessy)sp?) for a possible deal on Yquem. Never materialized.

I have had approx 75% increase on both Chalone and Mondavi over the past six years even with 9/11 so they were not a bad deal. The LVMH on the other hand lost me money.

on the gossip front, Holly Peterson Mondavi has split up with Tim so is about to no longer be the daughter-in-law. sigh.

I think they've been split for a year now. At least she hasn't been wearing a ring. I don't think she will leave the corporation. Very talented lady.

Bressler,
Is she related to that 'other' Peterson girl... the winemaking one?

Right, Holly and Heidi are sisters. Both delightful people.

Just FYI... shareholder offer received today from Mondavi:

Take this opportunity to spring into savings on a great selection of wines. Select 12 or more bottles from these wines and receive 38% off the listed retail price (Shareholder 33% discount, plus an additional 5%)! Additionally, we'll ship your wine for FREE, making your shopping experience even more convenient.

This offer expires April 15. Order* now by contacting the Ensemble Concierge at 1.888.766.6328, ext 3490, or simply reply to this email** with your order.

SELECTIONS and RETAIL PRICES:

Refreshing White Wines

$18.00 - 2000 Robert Mondavi Winery Napa Valley Fumé Blanc
The Wine Enthusiast, 89 points. Delicious, with ripe flavors of lemon, pineapple and pear.

$18.00 - 2001 La Famiglia Pinot Grigio
2003 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition: Gold Medal Winner.

$20.00 - 2000 Robert Mondavi Winery Napa Valley Chardonnay
Wine Access, 90 points. A bright, complex wine with layers of peach, pear, lime and a wisp of vanilla.

$23.00 - 2000 Robert Mondavi Winery Stags Leap District Sauvignon Blanc
Super bright fruit, packed with apricot, citrus, melon and orange blossom.

$24.00 - 2001 Byron Pinot Blanc
Fresh and appealing, this wine is a perfect match for a sunny spring day.

$35.00 - 2000 Robert Mondavi Winery Fumé Blanc Reserve
The Wine News, "Third Best Sauvignon Blanc of the Year." You can't go wrong when Sauvignon Blanc is this good.

Delectable Red Wines

$20.00 - 1999 La Famiglia Barbera
A perfectly balanced, big and bold wine that is an absolute joy to drink!

$25.00 - 1999 Robert Mondavi Winery Napa Valley Merlot
A silky red wine with lots of blueberry, red cherry, spice and a touch of oak.

$35.00 - 1998 Robert Mondavi Winery Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon
The Wine News, 91 points. Rich, ripe, approachable and a superb wine not to be overlooked at this price.

$35.00 - 1999 Robert Mondavi Winery Stags Leap District Merlot
Silky-smooth and delicious with a core of red fruit and chocolate; this Merlot is ready to drink.

$40.00 - 1999 Robert Mondavi Winery Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon
Connoisseur's Guide To California Wine, 92 points. Rich, complex, tapping into a deep vein of currant and black plum fruit.

$40.00 - 1999 La Famiglia Colmera
Prep-up your pasta maker and get to work; this splendid wine will complement any hearty Italian dish you desire.

$40.00 - 1999 Byron Nielson Vineyard Pinot Noir
The Wine Enthusiast, 90 points. Well-balanced, with a mix of creamy oak and ripe cherry, tea, herb and berryish fruit.

$50.00 - 2000 Robert Mondavi Winery Pinot Noir Reserve
The Wine News, 90 points. Smooth and enticing, defined by the plum, black cherry and delicate raspberry fruit.

$60.00 - 2000 Io
Sure to steal the show in any blind tasting; it's packed full of juicy red fruit, spice, and cedar.
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I guess you take 38% off the above prices. I am NOT a buyer.

Given that Tim is taking a sabbatical and Mondavi is undergoing layoffs, there are probably better deals coming down the road.

Tim's taking a sabbatical? Once you go public, nepotism comes under scrutiny. When both Parker and Laube come out with critical articles about how he is ruining Mondavi, that is about as bad as it can get.