The Vintage Bouquet – a mecca for food and wine lovers – will once again be staged at scenic Greystone Mansion in Beverly Hills on May 15, 2011, noon to 4:00 p.m. Hosted by the Beverly Hills Bar Association Barristers, the 23rd Annual Vintage Bouquet includes tastings from some of the state’s top wineries and the city’s leading restaurants. Proceeds from the fundraiser benefit the Beverly Hills Bar Foundation’s pro bono legal services, including Public Counsel, the nation’s largest pro bono law firm.
Guests will enjoy unlimited wine tasting, sampling gourmet hors d’oeuvres, and live musical entertainment, as well as live and silent auctions of enticing travel, wine and restaurant packages. Elia Aboumrad, a finalist from season two of Bravo’s Top Chef, is the celebrity auctioneer, and joins a professional auctioneer from Heritage Auction Galleries for the live auction. A limited number of VIP tickets are also available and include entree to a private martini bar and tours of the historic mansion, normally closed to the general public.
“I am very proud that Vintage Bouquet has been around for 23 years, and am thrilled that each year it continues to grow,†says Leigh Leshner, Barristers President and event chair for the seventh year. “The caliber of the participating restaurants and wineries make this a truly special event.â€
Featured wineries and spirits include Cass Winery, Conjure Imports, Demetria Estate, Eric Kent Wine Cellars, Flowers Winery, Jan-Marc Wine Cellars, Justin Vineyards & Winery, Lewelling Vineyards, Pride Mountain Wines, Quady Winery, Realm Cellars, Relic Wines, Spring Mountain Vineyard, Stella Artois, Switchback Ridge, Tantara Winery, and Wicker Vineyards. Beverages from IZZE Beverage Company, T Salon, the Original Brooklyn Water Bagel Co., and Wolfgang Puck Iced Coffees will also be poured.
Among the participating restaurants are Cookie Casa Bakery, Dandy Don’s HomeMade Ice Cream, Hansen’s Cakes, House of Balsamic, Il Fornaio-Beverly Hills, Kate Mantilini, Lawry’s Catering, Luxe Hotel Rodeo Drive, Momed, Monsoon Café, Napa Valley Grille, Royal Red Velvet Cupcakes, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, STK L.A., The Capital Grille, Waterloo & City, and Xino Dim Sum Lounge & Restaurant.
The Private Martini Bar is hosted by Dry Fly Distilling Inc., winner of World Spirit Competition Best Vodka, and The Palm, West Hollywood.
In addition to the wine and food tasting, special activities include a photo booth, provided by LA Photo Party, messages by El Leon Spa, and “performances†by Christoph Brown, The Etch Man, described as “the world’s fastest Etch A Sketch artist.†Tours of the mansion are offered by The Friends of Greystone.
The “Jeraboam Sponsor†is The Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce. The “Invitation Sponsor†is Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi, L.L.P. “VIP Martini Lounge Sponsors†are Nemecek & Cole and The Law Office of Jonathan Franklin. “Barrel Sponsors†are Greines, Martin, Stein & Richland LLP, and Mercedes-Benz of Beverly Hills. “Magnum Sponsors†include Gang, Tyre, Ramer & Brown; Oldman, Cooley, Sallus, Gold, Birnberg & Coleman, LLP; Reuben, Raucher & Blum; and Strategic Valuation Group, LLC. “Champagne Sponsors†are C.A.R.E.; Capstone Advisory Group, Inc.; Escrow of the West; Imber Court Reporters; Danning, Gill, Diamond & Kollitz, LLP; and JHill’s Staffing Services.
The 55-room Greystone Mansion nestled in a 16-acre part was built by the Doheny family in 1928 and is the largest family estate in the history of Beverly Hills. It has been featured in such blockbuster films as There Will Be Blood, Nixon, X-Men, Ghostbusters, Spiderman III, Rush Hour, Air Force One, and many others.
Tickets to the 23rd Annual Vintage Bouquet are $125 per person if purchased in advance and $150 per person on the day of the event. VIP tickets are $175 (only 100 will be sold). Sponsorships are available. Greystone Mansion is located at 905 Loma Vista Drive in Beverly Hills, CA 90210. For tickets and information, please call Knock Out Productions at (818) 610-0300, or visit www.vintagebouquet.com
