Last weekend I attended the 7th Perfect Harmony, fine wine auction & dinner benefitting the Mid-Columbia Symphony.
This annual event is presented by the Tri-Cities Wine Society. Master of Ceremonies again was Pete Hedges of Hedges Winery - great job Pete. This was my 5th or 6th time attending this event - and it did not disappoint. A fantastic combination of great wines and food, live music by members of the symphony and an opportunity to take home some rare library wines.
Once again, the event was held at Meadow Springs Country Club in South Richland. This is a beautiful facility, and a perfect venue for the event. Service is always excellent.
The wait staff was very polished and attentive. Empty glass? They bring another. With a glass of sparkling wine in hand, I perused the silent auction. The silent auction consisted of many donated items: hand-crafted ceramic art, metal sculpture, oil paintings, glass art, wood art, wine baskets, wine tastings and more, every year is different. Don't get too lax during the silent auction, if you are bidding on a popular item you may be out bid if you don't keep track of it. Yes, I did come home with a few items this year.
The silent auction ended, dinner began. The Tri-Cities Wine Society did another fine pairing of wine and food. It must be a tough job, but someone has to do it. I must remember to join.
This annual event is presented by the Tri-Cities Wine Society. Master of Ceremonies again was Pete Hedges of Hedges Winery - great job Pete. This was my 5th or 6th time attending this event - and it did not disappoint. A fantastic combination of great wines and food, live music by members of the symphony and an opportunity to take home some rare library wines.
Once again, the event was held at Meadow Springs Country Club in South Richland. This is a beautiful facility, and a perfect venue for the event. Service is always excellent.
The wait staff was very polished and attentive. Empty glass? They bring another. With a glass of sparkling wine in hand, I perused the silent auction. The silent auction consisted of many donated items: hand-crafted ceramic art, metal sculpture, oil paintings, glass art, wood art, wine baskets, wine tastings and more, every year is different. Don't get too lax during the silent auction, if you are bidding on a popular item you may be out bid if you don't keep track of it. Yes, I did come home with a few items this year.
The silent auction ended, dinner began. The Tri-Cities Wine Society did another fine pairing of wine and food. It must be a tough job, but someone has to do it. I must remember to join.
The Menu & Wine
Fresh asparagus puree with lemon cream
paired with whatever we had in our glass during the silent auction
Tuscan Caesar salad
paired with Apex II Sauvignon Blanc
Huckleberry Sorbet
Tuscan rubbed beef filet
paired with Hedges Red Mountain Three-Vineyards
Seared Salmon with fontina chive cream
paired with Bookwalter Chardonnay/Viognier
Berry tart with Zabagione
paired with Kiona Late Harvest Riesling
Fresh asparagus puree with lemon cream
paired with whatever we had in our glass during the silent auction
Tuscan Caesar salad
paired with Apex II Sauvignon Blanc
Huckleberry Sorbet
Tuscan rubbed beef filet
paired with Hedges Red Mountain Three-Vineyards
Seared Salmon with fontina chive cream
paired with Bookwalter Chardonnay/Viognier
Berry tart with Zabagione
paired with Kiona Late Harvest Riesling
I found the wine and food pairings appropriate and quite good. This type of event is a fun way to try wine and food combinations you might not try at home. I'm not typically a sweet wine drinker, but I found the Kiona Late Harvest Riesling very good and would have enjoyed another glass. When was the last time I had an an Apex wine? I don't remember, but it was surprisingly enjoyable. As the dinner wound down, the Live Auction began. This is where the pedal hits the metal and the dollars leave the wallet.
There were 28 lots this year, some of the more interesting items were:
Lot 3: Private VIP tour and wine tasting for eight at Chandler Reach, lunch provided, attendees receive 8 bottles of wine.
Lot 5: 1/2 barrel (about 150 bottles) of red wine vinified from Klipsun grapes by John Bookwalter of Bookwalter Winery - blended by the winning bidder.
Lot 12: Etched, painted and signed Double Magnum (3 liters) Maryhill 2000 Reserve Syrah,
plus a private tasting for four at the winery.
Lot 25: Leonetti Vertical, two bottles 1991 Cab Sav, one 1993 Cab Sav, two 1994 Merlot and one 1996 Merlot.
Yours truly successfully bid for a Star Party at Hedges Family Winery. A private event for 20 with live music, wine, food and a presentation on our galaxy by Roy Gephart and star-gazing. Yeah baby.
This year, as last, did not disappoint. Perfect Harmony is on the calendar for next year, March 2008. If you are interested in attending next year, contact the Mid-Columbia Symphony and buy your tickets early.
Cheers!
There were 28 lots this year, some of the more interesting items were:
Lot 3: Private VIP tour and wine tasting for eight at Chandler Reach, lunch provided, attendees receive 8 bottles of wine.
Lot 5: 1/2 barrel (about 150 bottles) of red wine vinified from Klipsun grapes by John Bookwalter of Bookwalter Winery - blended by the winning bidder.
Lot 12: Etched, painted and signed Double Magnum (3 liters) Maryhill 2000 Reserve Syrah,
plus a private tasting for four at the winery.
Lot 25: Leonetti Vertical, two bottles 1991 Cab Sav, one 1993 Cab Sav, two 1994 Merlot and one 1996 Merlot.
Yours truly successfully bid for a Star Party at Hedges Family Winery. A private event for 20 with live music, wine, food and a presentation on our galaxy by Roy Gephart and star-gazing. Yeah baby.
This year, as last, did not disappoint. Perfect Harmony is on the calendar for next year, March 2008. If you are interested in attending next year, contact the Mid-Columbia Symphony and buy your tickets early.
Cheers!