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The Off the Vine
Wine Auction & Gala is pleased to present an esteemed
lineup of headliners. These generous individuals have given of
their time, resources and considerable talents to make our 2010
event one that you will long remember.
Dean
Fearing- The Ritz-Carlton
- Dallas, TX
He has graced the cover of Gourmet magazine
and cooked on every national morning television show, while serving
celebrities, presidents, Her Majesty the Queen of England, and
rock stars at The Mansion on Turtle Creek. Chef Dean Fearing,
long known as the “Father of Southwestern Cuisine”
and now the creator of a new generation of highly-flavorful dishes,
has spent his life cooking for people who love good food. After
20-plus years at The Mansion on Turtle Creek, he opened Fearing's
in August 2007 at The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas. Named “Restaurant
of the Year” and “Table of the Year” by
Esquire Magazine shortly after opening and then receiving
continued praise from The New York Times, Newsweek, Texas
Monthly, among others, and a James Beard Foundation nomination
for Best New Restaurant, Fearing’s is recognized as one
of the hottest restaurant concepts across the country.
Dean Fearing is a graduate of the Culinary Institute
of America. He is also the host of two television shows, Dean’s
Cuisine and A Taste of the Southwest, and a published cookbook
author. Unrelentingly creative, the exuberant Chef Fearing was
winner of The James Beard Foundation Restaurant Award for “Best
Chef in the Southwest”, the Mobil “Five Star Award”
from 1995-2001 and the AAA “Five Diamond Award” from
1990-present.
 Mark
Hyman - Llano Estacado Winery - Lubbock,
TX
Mark Hyman’s challenge
as President and C.E.O. is significant, for, despite the indisputable
quality of the wines; many people outside of the boundaries of
Texas remain unaware of the achievements of Texas’ premium
wine industry. Still, for a professional with his skills, experience,
and energy, the challenge of making a quality product accessible
to Texas and the world represents just about the most enjoyable
job around.
Since joing the team at Llano Estacado in 1994,
sales of the winery’s premium wines have grown and the reputation
of the winery has continued to soar. Mark works closely with Winemaker
Greg Bruni in assuring that Llano Estacado’s goals are achieved.“Llano
Estacado has the finest winery management team in the state, and
this is largely the reason we have maintained and even extended
our position as the State’s top premium winery,” says
Hyman.
Another reason for the winery’s success is
its grape growing region. Established in 1993, the Texas High
Plains appellation covers much of the Texas Panhandle region and
is the largest wine grape appellation in the state. Currently
over 3,500 acres are under vine. Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay
vie for most acreage, with Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc not
far behind.
Located at 3,400 feet above sea level on flat terrain,
the Texas High Plains experience long, hot, dry summers. Evenings
cool to 60° F. or lower. The result is correct sugar and acid
levels which progress through the summer. The quality of the grapes
produced from the High Plains appellation have more than proven
their quality. Llano Estacado wines have garnered numerous awards
and medals in competitions of national and international scope.
The late, great wine historian and writer Leon Adams recognized
the potential of the High Plains years ago when he wrote, "There
is no question the High Plains is a viticultural miracle. No one
realized this area could produce world-class wines. It is an amazing
story."
Mark believes his future at Llano Estacado
is one that will see the winery expand production and sales, and
continue its mission to promote the wines of Texas inside and
outside the state. With a long string of awards and growing critical
recognition, Mark Hyman is playing a key role in making Llano
Estacado turn heads from coast to coast.
 Leon
Sierra - Sierra Private Selection - Williamette
Valley, Washington
Leon D. Sierra graduated in 1990 as an Electrical
Engineer from the University of New Orleans. He worked for the
oil and gas industry in New Orleans and eventually transitioned
to Houston, Texas. Twelve years later he left the world of engineering
just after touring vineyards in Italy. The trip left him with
a great love and passion for the world of wine.
Shortly after his return he began representing several
Italian wineries as a broker while still maintaining his day job
as an Engineer. He studied the wine industry and began shipping
containers of Italian wines to the United States and selling them
to distributors in New York, Connecticut and New Jersey. He was
so fascinated by the wine industry that he decided to leave Engineering
to start an import and wholesale operation in Houston. Hence Mid-State
Wine & Liquors was born.
Mid-state is now celebrating its 10-year anniversary
with offices in Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, Headquarters in Houston,
and has plans to expand and grow in 2010. It will enter territories
such as El Paso, Lubbock, McAllen, Corpus Christy and Tyler Texas
as well as venturing into Louisiana and Missouri. The growth is
meant to happen while still keeping the same philosophy of offering
great service, great wines and great value. Mid-State’s
portfolio of wines are hand selected fine wines from Argentina,
Australia, California, Texas, Oregon, Washington, Chile, France,
Italy, Turkey, New Zealand, Portugal and Spain.
Looking for his next challenge, Sierra took
his fascination and thirst for wine to a new level introducing
his own private label, Sierra Estate Private Selection. The private
label currently features a Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from the
Willamette Valley in Oregon. Leon only produces about 240 cases
of each of his varietals per year. Although not nationally rated
as of yet, his wines were entered into the Houston Live Stock
Rodeo International Competition. Out of 1763 wines entered, the
Sierra Estate Private Selection Chardonnay and Pinot Noir received
a Bronze Medal.
Leon D. Sierra and Mid-State's objectives are to grow his private
label and continue to carry, import and wholesale innovative,
exciting and exclusive wines. Changing careers mid stream was
very risky but reflecting back he is elated and satisfied with
the changes and decisions. It truly enlightens his life as he
seeks new adventures. For more information on visit www.mid-statewine.com.
 Jose
Miguel Viu - Viu Manent Winery - Valle
De Colchagua, Chile
Jose Miguel Viu Bottini started working in
1990 for Viu Manent . He represents the third generation of the
Viu Manent family in the wine industry. He was responsible for
expansion of the vineyard and transforming the business to primarily
exports since the early 1990s. From the year 2000, after the death
of his father Miguel Viu Manent., bécame the Mananging
Director and CEO of the Viu Manent. Jose Miguel is 44 years Old,
earned his degree of Agriculture Engineer in the Southern University
of Chile.
Viu Manent is an excellent winery established in
1935 and is located in the Colchagua Valley in Chile, one of the
top five wine growing valleys in the world. Lauded as a premier
vineyard, Viu Manent is devoted to making a spectrum of quality
wines. Their wines are recognized globally and received numerous
awards and excellent ratings by specialty magazines. VIU 1 2006
was rated 92 points by Robert Parker, and Viu Manent Single Vineyard
2007 was rated 90 Points by Robert Parker . With the leadership
of Jose Miguel, Viu Manent exports to 35 different countries around
the world and for three consecutive years was lauded as the most
awarded Vineyard from Chile.
Jose Miguel participates in the creation of
the tourism wine route of Colchagua, Chile, and he was director
for 5 consecutive years. It is the most prestigious Chilean wine
tourist destination.
 David
Reynolds - Reynolds & Buckley - San
Francisco , CA
"Dave Reynolds is a one-man orchestra of auctioneering, able to
separate audiences from their currency with the subtlety of a
Spanish galleon in full rig and the passion of Billy Graham in
full flight," wrote Jeremy Oliver, the Australian wine writer
after seeing David Reynolds in action. Dave charms, cajoles, and
entertains with spontaneous one-liners. Along the way, he is transforming
the role of fundraising auctioneer into a new kind of performance
art while raising millions of dollars for charity.
Recognized by the wine industry as an expert, Dave
is equally adept at auctioning fine art, travel, dining, and other
unique items. He and Colleen Buckley, his wife and business partner
in Reynolds & Buckley Auctioneers, are based in San Francisco,
California.
Max Grover
- Port Townsend, Washington
The 2010 Off the Vine's featured artist, Max Grover,
is best known for the colorful, playful paintings he shows in
West Coast galleries. He has illustrated many children's books
and his imagery is featured on greeting cards, posters, and promotional
material for many prestigious organizations and non-profit foundations.
Max's primitive, naive painting style is full of charm and whimsy.
As a painting teacher and public speaker, Max shares his secrets
of finding the extraordinary in the ordinary with both children
and adults.
Since the inception of the "Off the Vine"
Wine Gala & Auction, we have had the privilege of welcoming
some of the most prestigious names in their industries.
Wine Gala & Auction Chairs
- 2008 Nanette Hutto & Trang Vuong
- 2006 Nanette Hutto & Cathy Norton
- 2004 Nanette Hutto & Cathy Norton
Wine Ambassadors
Celebrity Chef
Featured Artists
- 2008 Richard Hoyen of Pulliam
Deffenbaugh Gallery - Portland, OR
- 2006 Yvette Leigheber of Yvette
Marie Gallery (Commemorative)
- 2006 Carol Radighierri -
All Saints Episcopal School Class of 2006 (Cover Art)
- 2004 Kathleen Presley - All
Saints Episcopal School Class of 2004
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