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St. Mark's Cellar Classic Auction
Saturday July 28, 2012
04:00 PM

On Saturday, July 28, 2012, from 4:00-7:00pm, the public is invited to attend the third annual St. Mark’s Cellar Classic: An Auction of Rare & Fine Wines in the garden courtyard at St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church located at 2901 Nojoqui Avenue in downtown Los Olivos. The Cellar Classic is coordinated by a committee of dedicated volunteers led by Steve Pepe (co-owner of Clos Pepe Vineyards) and Brooks Firestone (owner of Curtis Winery) along with 2012 Honorary Chair Gabe Saglie (Senior Editor at Travelzoo.com and popular wine writer).

All proceeds from the Cellar Classic support local community service programs. St. Mark’s provides meeting and event space for more than 40 community and arts organizations such as the area’s Jewish congregation, Los Olivos School and Santa Ynez Valley High School events, recovery groups, Santa Ynez Valley Master Chorale and Solvang Festival Theatre. According to Church Rector Rev. Dr. Randall Day, “We also actively support the arts with free concerts, exhibitions of painting, photography and sculpture. Our Pre-school provides top-flight early childhood education. We embrace a spacious Christianity where there is room for absolutely everyone; all are invited to attend the Cellar Classic, truly an exceptional community event.”

According to Pepe, St. Mark’s Cellar Classic will begin with a silent auction featuring wines and wine country-themed lifestyle items for the first hour. Following the silent auction will be a live auction conducted by professional auctioneer John Glines. There are currently eight, Wine Advocate 100-point rated wines and one 99-point wine being featured including a 1947 Chateau Cheval Blanc St. Emilion.

Other remarkable wines include a 1949 Leroy Musigny; a 1955 and a 1959 Leroy Chambertin; 1961 Haut Brion; 1961 Chateau Latour; Jeroboam of 1970 Mouton Rothschild; a 1978 and a 1979 Lafite Rothschild and Mouton Rothschild; Magnum of 1982 Lafite Rothschild, a 1985 Jayer Richebourg and a 1999 Screaming Eagle .

A highlight of this year’s live auction is a one-of-its-kind 18-liter bottle of St. Mark’s 2010 Rhone Blend created by vintner Brooks Firestone—who encouraged area wineries including Andrew Murray, Clos Pepe, Curtis, Foxen, Margerum, Saarloos, and others to donate some of their 2010 vintages. This incredible 18-liter bottle custom-etched with the St. Mark’s lion by Candice Norcross with a label designed by Waxing Poetic artist Stephanie Kheder also includes a custom, barrel stave & wooden stand (which allows for prominent display and easy pouring) hand-crafted by Santa Ynez Valley artisan Ed Prutzman.

Throughout the Cellar Classic, guests will enjoy local wines and bountiful gourmet hors d’oeuvres including langostini pitas, salmon blinis, mushroom croustades, arugula gorgonzola wraps, pâté canapés, crisp endive boats shrimp ceviche, and caprese skewers; as well as an array of cheeses and fresh vegetable crudités.
Delectable desserts include chocolate truffles, English toffee, lavender shortbread and a trifle with an Italian twist—all accompanied by live entertainment featuring the unique blend of pedal harp and percussion from wine country favorite “She’s My Band,” the duo of musicians Pamela Harris and Carole Ann Colone as well as selections from St. Mark’s own Choir. All the live and silent auction items, along with the food and wines for guests, are donated by St. Mark’s members and friends; ensuring that the monies raised benefit the community.
Cellar Classic tickets are $100 per person including local wines, hors d'oeuvres and entertainment—available only in advance with payment by check, credit card or PayPal. To purchase tickets, contact Steve Pepe at steve@clospepe.com or call him at 805-735-7867 or call the church office at (805) 688-4454 or visit www.SMITV.org to purchase online.
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St Mark's-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church, 2901 Nojoqui Ave, Los Olivos, CA 93441; (805) 688-4454 www.SMITV.org

More Info: www.SMITV.org

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