Vintage Beacon 10/2010: Did You Miss the 3rd Annual TPC/West Ranch Art and Wine Gala?

I gave you a little teaser already of what the start of our night was like at the 3rd Annual TPC/West Ranch Art and Wine Gala. Today I fill in more details of what happened after the appetizers and during the auction.

Suffice it to say, if you weren’t at the Oaks Grille on Saturday September 25 you missed meeting Buzz and Lois Aldrin, an opportunity to bid on several lots of rare wine and original art and, decadent a 6-course dinner.

Once again the evening was to benefit the arts of Santa Clarita and this year’s recipients included the Joe Ranft Alumni Scholarship Fund and CAP Program at CalArts, the Santa Clarita Ballet, Canyon Theatre Guild and COC PAC K-12 Arts Education Outreach Program.

Part 2

As the clock struck the magic hour I began to wonder why we weren’t seated yet, for about a minute. Then I saw Steve and Amy Elzer arriving (See my column on the Elzer Cellar and you’ll learn why I covet these two,) and it was like the parting of the red sea. The French doors opened and we followed the Elzer’s inside…my Pied Pipers.

David Bossert welcomed the group, and then, in turn, introduced his co-master of ceremonies, Guy Lelarge, Roy P. Disney and Buzz Aldridge.

All gave brief speeches. Bossert and Lelarge are celebrating the third time they’ve pulled off a sold-out event – with the support of many listed below – that has raised over $100,000 for the arts community of Santa Clarita each year. Roy P. Disney spoke solemnly about his recently deceased father and all joined him in raising their glass in a toast to Roy E. Disney.

Buzz Aldrin, with his wife Lois at his side, spoke a little on the future of the world and what he sees in store. He had a surprise coming…

Artist Mike Kungl had been called up to the podium by Guy Lelarge and Dave Bossert to give an original of his Buzz Lightyear art to…Buzz Aldrin.

After that we began to work our way through elegant dishes (see menu below) and I enjoyed chatting with my wine friend Robert Parker – who proved to be a serious auction attendee later that night – and my husband Eddie had lent an ear to artist Mike Kungl that he sat next to.

Jessica RabbitEddie, when left to his own devices, had his own plans for the evening. And they took full flight between courses when I was working the crowd, getting as close as possible to Buzz Aldrin and Roy P. Disney.

Kungl held Ed’s attention by telling him all the things Eddie didn’t know about his Jessica Rabbit piece…things I still don’t know. What I do know is that I will be looking at that hottie in our home office for the rest of my life as not only did Eddie win it at auction that night, Kungl offered to personalize it further in his studio and ship it to us.

The Wine

This is what the program told us as a teaser about Steve Elzer’s donations: “Okay, these bottles are a mystery, even to us! Tonight’s first selection of rare wines has been donated once again by the wonderful Steve Elzer, wine aficionado extraordinaire. No doubt you’ve viewed these lots already tonight, but if not, listen carefully as our auctioneer will give a detailed description of the bottles in this lot as well as the estimated value and minimum bid. Knowing Steve as we do, there’s no doubt that this will be an extraordinary lot of wines. Enjoy!” And they certainly did.

The wine we had at the event (From last week’s Part One teaser but repeated for your dining pleasure) during the plated appetizers were a Nicolas Feullatte Champagne and Mitch Cosentino’s white wine blend, the Novelist 08 from Napa Valley. With dinner we enjoyed our meal paired with a 07 Couples Sangiovese and 07 Cosentino The Med.

Who Was Seen

Buzz and Lois Aldrin, Roy P. Disney, Dave and Nancy Bossert, Guy Lelarge and Helen LaPrairie, Alexa Lelarge, TimBen and Ingrid Boydston, Eddie Bushman, Jerry and JoJo Citarella, Steve and Amy Elzer, Robert and Darlene Gandara, Jeff and Kiki Hacker, Marshall and Shelly Hann, Mike and Dana Kungl, Larry Mazzeo and Jennifer Haberer, Greg and Tracey McWilliams, Julie Mino, Natasha Garcia, Robert Parker, Charlie Parker, Harold and Jacquelyn Petersen, Jo Ann Vindigni and Dora Zavala.

The Menu from TPC Executive Chef Daniel Otto

Starters

Assorted tray passed canapés

Oyster Shooter Station

Mini crepe-stuffed with chevre and roasted vegetables splashed with truffle essence

Deconstructed slider with cornichon, cheddar and bacon on brioche

 

1st Course

Toasted quinoa and heirloom beans with endive and white asparagus,

splashed with lemongrass vinaigrette

 

2nd Course

Burrata with truffled English peas and toasted ciabatta topped with shaved reggiano

 

3rd Course

Pan-seared Chilean sea bass with artichoke puree, ginger date vinaigrette

and mandarin orange supreme

 

4th Course

Smoked Waterford pork loin atop baby onions and apples, dressed with spinach puree

and a sweet mustard glace

 

Entree

Prime Filet au poive atop saffron risotto cake, topped with baby chanterelle mushrooms

and splashed with a cognac reduction

 

Dessert Course

Chef’s Selection

 

Who Deserved Thanks

Table sponsors: Nancy and Dave Bossert, CalArts, Canyon Theatre Guild, CCI & Larry Mazzeo, Waste Connections, Duck Studios, Cheri and Don Fleming, Darleen and Robert Gandara, Guy LeLarge & Helen LaPrairie, M3 Creative, Tracy and Greg McWilliams, Santa Clarita Ballet Company, COC PAC K-12 Arts Program, Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich,Los Angeles County, 5th District, Sheri and Roy P. Disney and New Wave Entertainment.

Wine Sponsors were Cosentino Winery, Valencia Wine Company, Couples & Co and Southern Wine Spirits.

Artists & Special people to thank include Andrew, Toby Bluth, Dave Bossert, Nancy Bossert, Trevor Carlton, James Coleman, Collectors Editions, Kat Cressida, Alice Davis,

Brian Davis, Meredith Day, Robb & Lisa Dunlap, Steve Elzer, Mike Gabriel, Michael & Inessa Garmash, Richard Golden, Rodel Gonzalez, Mike Kungl, Lasseter Family Winery

Bob Levey-Independent Events & Media, Carol Levey, Tim Rogerson, George Scribner, John Seitz, Irene Sheri, Emilio Smeke, Valley Crest Trees, Michael YoungNancy and Dave Bossert, CalArts, Canyon Theatre Guild, CCI & Larry Mazzeo, Waste Connections

Duck Studios, Cheri and Don Fleming, Darleen and Robert Gandara, Guy LeLarge & Helen LaPrairie, M3 Creative, Tracy and Greg McWilliams, Santa Clarita Ballet Company, COC PAC K-12 Arts Program, Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich,Los Angeles County, 5th District, Sheri and Roy P. Disney, New Wave Entertainment and many volunteers!

Eve Bushman has been reading, writing, taking coursework and tasting wine for over 20 years.  She has obtained a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust, has been the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video, authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and recently served as a guest judge for the L.A. International Wine Competition.  You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits that may be answered in a future column. You can also seek her marketing advice via Eve@EveBushmanConsulting.com