The New York International Wine Auction is an established premier wine event. NYIWA 2011 attracted afficionados from all over the U.S. and beyond to the award-winning Turning Stone Resort • Casino in Verona, NY.
All proceeds from the event support the Herkimer ARC's mission to enable people with disabilities and others in our community to achieve full potential and enriched lives.
Posted Aug 15, 2011 by NYIWA |
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Truchard Vineyards has been a generous contributor to the New York International Wine Auction in the past, and continues that tradition in 2011 with their fine Cabernet Sauvignon. Founder Jo Ann Truchard talks about the winery, the wine, and the cause.
Jo Ann and Tony Truchard came to the Napa Valley in 1974 and quickly developed a reputation as one of the outstanding vineyards in the Carneros region. The Truchard Estate Vineyard now sells grapes to more than 20 premiere Napa Valley wineries. In 1989, they began making wine for themselves using only their estate-grown fruit. Winemaker Sal De Ianni oversees a hand-crafted wine operation using traditional winemaking techniques.
The Vineyard itself is a series of hills and valleys with a variety of soils: clay, shale, sandstone, volcanic rock and ash. The terrain, geology, and marine-moderated temperatures provide unique winegrowing conditions. They currently grow 10 different grape varieties, making them one of the most diverse estate vineyards in California. Wines from their 1994, 1996, and 1997 vintages have been included in the Wine Spectator's Top 100 wines of the world, and the winery was selected as the "Estate Winery of the Year" by Wine & Spirits in 1997 and 1998.
Truchard's Cabernet vines are planted on the warmer, southwest facing slopes for maximum sun exposure, and the result is a big Cabernet Sauvignon, with tremendous color and structure. Cabernet Franc is blended in to provide added softness and complexity. We look forward to tasting the fruits of their decades-long craft.
Posted Jun 24, 2011 by NYIWA |
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Hewitt Vineyards Winemaker Tom Rinaldi talks about the unique single-vineyard wine they’re so generously contributing to the New York International Wine Auction to support the Herkimer ARC. Rinaldi says the unique character of their Cabernet Sauvignon deserves full expression, and rather than create an ensemble with wines from other vineyards, Hewitt chose to “let it sing with its own unique voice.” The wine has deep black cherry and currant fruit complemented by classic Rutherford expression of cocoa, cedar and black olive.
The site that is now Hewitt Vineyard bordered Gustave Niebaum’s Inglenook, and was first planted to vines in 1880. In 1962, William A. Hewitt bought the vineyard and replanted it to Cabernet Sauvignon with the help of famed wine master André Tchelistcheff.
“We select only the best fruit to go into Hewitt Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon,” says Rinaldi. “I get to select the exact rows I want from our spectacular vineyard.” Although the wine is usually 100-percent Cabernet Sauvignon, Hewitt Vineyard’s 58 acres deliver an exciting range of flavor and quality with a variety of clones, rootstocks and soil conditions. Rinaldi can blend from this one vineyard, bringing different elements to the wine and giving it great depth and intriguing personality.
Hewitt’s Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford has consistently received high scores and resoundingly favorable reviews. We’re definitely siding with the connoisseurs, and looking forward to receiving bids on this well-respected wine.
In this short piece for the New York International Wine Auction, Cam Baker and wife Kate Solari Baker of Larkmead Vineyards welcome guests to one of the winery's harvest celebrations. Their strong passion for the land has been shared by owners and staff of Larkmead since 1895, establishing their status as one of the finest vineyards in the Napa Valley. Larkmead grows 100% of the fruit that comprises their wines, allowing them to control every aspect of the wine-growing process, and to craft excellent Estate wines in every vintage.
The true character of Larkmead and its unique wines are a direct result of the topography, climate, and the exceptional geology of the soils. Due to the dramatic variation in soil types, the vineyard is divided into three distinct areas in order to maximize fruit and subsequent wine quality while diversifying flavor profiles for blending purposes.
The amazing geology and diversity, from open fields to riverside and hill plantings, results in four distinct soil types and many subtypes. With varying amounts of rock, as well as more sun, shade or moisture in different areas, Larkmead targets them with different rootstocks, varieties, and clones to amplify the geology and wine attributes. Foggy mornings, warm afternoons, and cooling breezes in the late afternoon give the Larkmead Estate a specific microclimate ideal for full development of concentrated flavors.
This historic family property and Estate is comprised of 145 acres, with plantings of seven grape varieties ranging in age from new plantings to over 120 years old. The majority of the Estate is planted to Cabernet, with Merlot and the "noble" Bordeaux varieties Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot making up the remaining red grapes planted on the site. Since 2005 Larkmead has embarked on producing world-class white wines, with 10 acres of Sauvignon Blanc planted and less than two acres of 120+ year old Tocai Friulano.
The New York International Wine Auction is honored to include Larkmead Vineyards wines in our fine selection at this year's auction.
Winemaker Mike Smith of Myriad Cellars & Quivet Cellars is a true purist in choosing vineyards, and aging and developing artisan wines. He talks about how he follows his simple philosophy: creating the most natural and expressive wines California can offer. He obtains fruit from the Napa Valley and Sonoma County, and believes the extra expense of using rare French Oak for aging is well worth the superb results—subtlety not achievable with lesser methods.
Myriad's fruit is purchased from the prestigious Spring Mountain District above Napa Valley. Wines produced from this vineyard express intense and concentrated flavors coupled with polished mountain tannins. Dark, firm, rich and structured. Their wines age gracefully, producing more overall complexity and balance. Quivet Cellars produces very limited quantities of handcrafted boutique Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah by selecting specific rows of fruit from Spring Mountain, Kenefick Ranch and Las Madres Vineyard. The premium fruit is uniquely crushed, aged in rare French Oak and masterfully blended.
Mike samples and discusses those results for us: several of his 2009 vintage Syrahs among those they have generously made available to the New York International Wine Auction, a great event for a great cause.
Since the early 1970s, Schweiger Vineyards has occupied a unique property at the top of Spring Mountain Road above Napa Valley known for its long history of prime viticulture. The rich, deep volcanic soils and unique microclimates are particularly favorable for Cabernet Sauvignon and other classic varietals. In the 1980s the vineyard that pioneered sustainable farming began producing and selling their renowned fruit.
For years, the Schweigers sold to the highly regarded Joe Cafaro, ZD, Newton and Stags Leap wineries. In 1994, Schweiger Vineyards became a bonded winery. The family began bottling under their own label, and under the direction of founder Fred Schweiger's son, Andrew, who learned his trade and honed his craft at several of the industry's top wineries. Since 1999 the family has been using 100 percent of their estate fruit for Schweiger Vineyards wine. Today, 35 acres of vineyards produce about 5,000 cases each year. The primary varietals continue to be Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, with micro-blocks of Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Merlot, and Petite Sirah.
The family is proud to support the New York International Wine Auction, a great event for a great cause. Their generosity is a strong part of their family traditions.
The Rafanelli Family have been growing grapes and making wine since the early 1900. A trip to this Dry Creek winery will prove the family’s concentration on making great Bordeaux style and Zinfandel wine. The winery and Shelly Rafanelli have supported NYIWA each of the past twelve years. For more information visit www.arafanelliwinery.com.
On your way up Howell Mountain, stop in and see the folks at Burgess Cellars. The wine is exceptional, the view spectacular, and the hospitality is warm and genuine. Say hello to Tom, Steve and Catherine; great people. For more visit www.burgesscellars.com.
Posted Oct 25, 2010 by NYIWA |
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Representatives from NYIWA visited Amapola Creek Vineyards and spoke with Alis Demers Arrowood, Proprieter, about their wines. All of the vineyards on the estate are also organically grown. Alis spoke with us about how organic winemaking has affected the flavors and health of their vineyards. For more information on Amapola Creek Winery, please visit their website.
Today is the last day to get the special NYIWA hotel room rates for the event. If you already reserved your seat at the auction and a room, thank you! If not, please do now, and join us.
Excitement is building, and more superb wines are arriving almost every day for our 15th Anniversary Charity Wine Auction. If you’re looking for an event you’ll enjoy from start to finish, you’ve found it!
Want to experience a little slice of heaven as you enjoy the outstanding five-course dinner featuring gourmet foods expertly paired with the best wines? The excitement of the Silent and Live Auctions to see the wonderful wines and unique fine lifestyle items you’ve won? See some of this year’s choices.
You know you want to—RSVP and join us on Saturday, October 30th for this premiere wine and food event.
If you’re planning to attend and stay for the night, we would love for you to get the best rate available, and today is the last day to secure overnight accommodations at this rate. The Turning Stone Resort • Casino is very busy, so after today, we can’t ensure you’ll get a room—even at a non-discounted rate (the price will go from $159 per night to $249+). If you’re interested in a room, please call the Turning Stone at 1-800-771-7711 and ask for the special rate for the Herkimer ARC Wine Auction.
NOTE: You cannot secure a discounted room by going online—you’ll need to call.
Explore this site to learn more about the event. Check out the Turning Stone Resort · Casino for their many different upscale and exciting options for our guests. It’s also an easy destination to reach—just off Exit 33 (Verona) on the New York State Thruway.
If you have any questions, please call Tony Vennera, Auction Director at (315) 574-7355 or email: tvennera@nyiwa.com. We look forward to seeing you there!
