San Antonio Cellar Classic

A Good Time to Wine

I enjoy wine. I'll come right out and say it. Why beat around the bush? Why wind around the grapevine, for that matter? I like to have a glass of chardonnay when I come home from work and am busy cooking dinner in the kitchen. I enjoy a cold, dry rosé when I'm at the beach, looking out at the Gulf waves. A glass of something bubbly (Prosecco, please!) cajoles my BFF and me into good humor when we are feeling crazed, frantic, or even a little down. A slightly chilled pinot noir is the prelude to a romantic date night with my husband. Wine is natural. Wine is good. Not everybody drinks it, but everybody should. (Thank you, George Michael.)

One fun place to enjoy good wine, accompanied by good food, here in San Antonio is MAX's Wine Dive. I Yelped about it awhile back here. And MAX's sister restaurant, Boiler House Texas Grill & Wine Garden, a new spot for noshing and grape guzzling, is set to open soon in the fantastic Pearl Brewery. Both of these restaurants will help set the stage for this fall's San Antonio Cellar Classic, a two-day event celebrating wine and wine-friendly cuisine. Our own JLSA Fête du Cuvée committee will be volunteering at the event, and part of the ticket proceeds will support the League. The San Antonio Cellar Classic is a great addition (or perhaps an alternative) to Fête du Cuvée, the League's annual fine wine auction fundraiser, for JLSA wine lovers and wine lover wannabes.

Fête Committee Members Tina Taulbee and Brooke Swallow Meabon

volunteering at last year's San Antonio Cellar Classic.

Want details? Here they are! Cheers!

"Reserve Dinner"

Friday, October 12, 2012

6:30pm to 9:00pm

MAX's Wine Dive

$125 per person, $225 per couple (limited to 40 people)

Take a look at the awesome menu here!

Grand Tasting

Saturday, October 13, 2012

1:00pm to 4:00pm

The Stable at Pearl Brewery

General Admission $40

VIP Admission $90

For more information, check out the Cellar Classic's website.

It's Another Wine Wednesday!

Welcome back to Wine Wednesday! This week, our guest blogger is Sheila Mayfield, Fête du Cuvée Silent Auction Chair. Read on, as Sheila gives us a sneak peak into the auction items for our upcoming inaugural Fête du Cuvée!


Prior to moving to San Antonio in 2007, I worked in wine marketing in Napa and San Francisco for Robert Mondavi, and then Constellation Wines. I loved my time in the wine world, and still carry the mission card we received at Robert Mondavi in my wallet at all times! "Our vision: To enrich life through wine." Wine is an integral part of gracious living, and I am beyond thrilled to be involved with the Junior League's newest fundraiser, Fête du Cuvée, the first charity fine wine auction in San Antonio. I'm proud of the Junior League's long history of initiating projects and programs to meet the rising needs of the thriving San Antonio community. Fête du Cuvée has provided the opportunity to work with an amazing team of women volunteers to put on a fabulous black tie event that will raise critical funds for the Junior League of San Antonio.

There will be six chef's stations around the ballroom of the Bright Shawl for an evening of exceptional wine and fine dining. Each chef has personally selected a red and a white wine to pair with their dishes. Chefs include Jeffrey Balfour from Citrus at the Hotel Valencia Riverwalk, Steven McHugh from Lüke San Antonio, John Brand from La Mansión del Rio’s Las Canarias, Stefan Bower from Feast, James Moore from Max's Wine Dive, and Ernie Estrada from Francesca's at the Westin La Cantera. In addition to the wine at the chef's stations, there will also be eight other featured wineries around the room. We'll have a live and silent auction, and entertainment from the Monte Vista Jazz Band following the auction.

We are so grateful for the generous support of wineries, distributors, and private donors, and thanks to them, we have secured some spectacular items for the auction. Here are a few of my favorites that I'll be watching closely at Fête du Cuvée!


Live Auction Highlights: (and these are just 4 of the 14 awesome packages!)

• A trip to Napa including a two night stay at the Villa Valentine guesthouse on the Terra Valentine Winery estate where you will have the entire 75 acre estate at your leisure to explore the vineyards. I have been dreaming about this one for months! We have lined up some phenomenal winery tours and tastings, including a private tour and champagne reception at Opus One. Opus One is part of the Robert Mondavi/Constellation Wines portfolio, and I've had the pleasure of visiting several times. It is a very unique winery, and the tour and tastings will blow you away!
• A trip to Oregon including a tour, tasting, and dinner at REX HILL Vineyards. Spurs Head Coach Popovich is a winery partner, and dinner at a winery is an unforgettable, bucket list experience! The package also includes a stay at a nearby guesthouse, a tour and tasting at Bergström Winery, and a magnum of REX HILL Pinot Noir to enjoy at home. There is also a bonus stay at the Sunriver Resort including a round of golf.
• A trip to Santa Fe to attend Pioneer Wine's exclusive, invite only Renegade Party. Dallas' esteemed Suze Chef/Owner, Gilbert Garza, will prepare an out-of-this-world dinner, paired with winemakers' wines, in a showcase home on the outskirts of Santa Fe. Package includes first class accommodations for six at Casa Milagro, a breathtaking vacation home in Sante Fe.
• San Antonio Staycation! Spend a weekend at the Hotel Valencia on the Riverwalk, and enjoy dinners at Citrus and Lüke. The package includes tickets to the San Antonio Symphony and a $150 gift certificate to Rent the Runway to make sure you have a fabulous dress to show off that weekend. How fun is that?!

Silent Auction Highlights:

• A bottle of 2002 Shafer Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon - Robert Parker gave this wine a perfect score of 100!
• A magnum of Cakebread Cellars 2007 Dancing Bear Ranch, Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon presented in a wood box signed by winemaker, Bruce Cakebread
• A magnum of Schramsberg 2008 Blanc de Blancs sparkling wine signed by winemaker Hugh Davies - Schramsberg is often served at White House dinners and is my favorite sparkling wine
• A magnum of Ridge Vineyards 2007 Montebello - I have to put in a plug for this incredible winery located in my hometown of Cupertino, CA
• Hotel stay at the luxurious Four Seasons Chicago with a tour/tasting at Lynfred Winery outside of Chicago
• Tickets to the 2013 Rodeo including terrace level seats, reserved parking, and dinner - once you Rodeo this way, you'll never want to go any other way!
• Night of Discovery at Fleming's including appetizers and wine pairings for 16 in a private room - buy this one for your next birthday party!
• Wine and appetizers for 10 at 20nine Restaurant & Wine Bar - this is one of my favorite spots for girl's night out
• $100 gift card to Max's Wine Dive - I just had Sunday brunch there - yummy!
• Sitting fee and 10x14 portrait at Langmore Photography - okay, so this isn't wine related, but if you have kids, you will forever treasure a Langmore portrait of them!

And this is just a taste. There are so many other bottles of fine wine, tours/tastings, gift certificates, and other superb items. I look forward to seeing you all at Fête du Cuvée! Buy your tickets now - you won't want to miss this fantastic event!

Cellar Classic Event At Max's Wine Dive

Have you heard? We are only two weeks away from Cellar Classic at Max's Wine Dive (October 8)!

This tasting event is truly a culinary adventure in your own backyard! Save money you might have spent on airfare to Italy or California and instead grab your girlfriends, buy a set of tickets, and join us in sampling more than 75 wines from all over the world. You deserve a day to kick back and enjoy live music, wine tastings, and culinary delights prepared by Executive Chef James Moore. Chef James' culinary delights will truly span the globe with little tastes of Spain, Italy, France, and North and South America.

Chef James is an enthusiastic partner with the Junior League of San Antonio for Cellar Classic, speaking highly of the league and our community involvement. He is excited to join forces with JLSA to create networking opportunities and awareness, as well as generate proceeds that go toward a great cause.

Chef James credits his mentor, Martin Rios, as well as living in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego as influences on his cuisine creations. Chef James even recommended a great Shiraz for entertaining: a 2005 Penfolds RWT Shiraz that has a "velvety smooth, tremendous fruit, and flawless finish."  For you aspiring oenophiles, you'll receive even more wine tips at the Cellar Classic event, including white and red wine pairings with different foods.

Get your tickets today! Come on out and enjoy the fall weather, wine, food and friends. General admission tickets are available and you can also purchase VIP tickets that include some added perks. Our Ole Committee will also be at the event selling Holiday Ole Market tickets.

Hope to see you there with a smile on your face - Chef James says that's the best compliment a chef can ever receive!