Champagne Laurent-Perrier + The Speckled pear
at LA CAVE AT petit philippe
Join us for an intimate dinner featuring the esteemed Champagne Laurent-Perrier with Molly Finnegan, Regional Manager of Laurent-Perrier US at La Cave at Petit Philippe’s flagship store in Myers Park. Longtime Charlotte Wine + Food Week partner, Chef Michael Bader of the newly opened The Speckled Pear, will delight you with a carefully curated menu inspired by classic French cuisine to pair with the wines as you mix, mingle, and toast for a good cause!
Family-owned and women-led with over 212 years of history, sold in over 120 countries worldwide, Laurent-Perrier is well recognized as one of the premier Champagne houses that focuses on improving quality year over year. The brand’s modern-day success is owed to the many innovative women of the house including widow Mathilde Perrier who launched one of the first wines "sans sucre", a wine without sugar, creating a non-dosage category in the mid-1800s. Her trailblazing legacy continued through the enduring work of Bernard de Nonancourt, who joined the company in 1948 after returning home a decorated World War II hero who stormed Hitler's Eagle's Nest and freed prisoners at Dachau.
Laurent-Perrier has been credited with techniques that define current champagne production including the first winery in Champagne to convert to stainless steel fermentation tanks, resurrecting the zero dosage category with the debut of their Ultra Brut in 1981 and the revival of non-vintage rosé in 1968. Laurent-Perrier is an international leader of quality emphasizing freshness, elegance and finesse in the entire range producing wines without oak, with a higher majority of Chardonnay in their cuvée (except 100% Pinot Noir Rosé), low to no dosage and extended lees aging in their seven miles of caves.
EVENT DETAILS
Date: Thursday, April 24
Time: Arrive: 6:30 PM | Seated: 6:45 PM
Location: Petit Philippe Fine Wine | 4001 Park Road Charlotte, NC 28209
Special Guests: Molly Finnegan. WSET Diploma, CSW | Regional Manager, Laurent-Perrier US
Michael Bader | Executive Chef and Owner - The Speckled Pear
Tickets: $250/person plus tax
Gratuity is included in the ticket price, and $50 of each ticket is tax-deductible.
Must be 21+
Hosted by Charlotte Wine & Food Board Member Jim Deupree.
WINES
WELCOME RECEPTION
Laurent-Perrier La Cuvée Brut | Champagne, France
FIRST COURSE
Laurent-Perrier Blanc de Blancs Brut Nature | Champagne, France
SECOND COURSE
Laurent-Perrier Vintage 2015 Brut | Champagne, France
THIRD COURSE
Laurent-Perrier Grand Siècle #26, Prestige Cuvée Brut | Champagne, France
FOURTH COURSE
Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé Brut | Champagne, France
Menu coming soon…
Dietary restrictions may be accommodated with advance notice. Please indicate any restrictions the event organizers should be aware of at time of your registration/ticket purchase. Alternatively, please email info@charlottewineandfood.org to notify us at minimum 5 days prior to the event.
CULINARY & BEVERAGE TALENT
MOLLY FINNEGAN | REGIONAL MANAGER - CHAMPAGNE LAURENT-PERRIER US
Molly Finnegan joined Laurent-Perrier US as a Mid-Atlantic Market Manager in April of 2022. Molly has worked in the wine industry for the past two and half decades which given her the opportunity to convey her passion for the culture and cuisine surrounding food to consumers. Molly came to Laurent-Perrier US from Olé & Obrigado Imports where she worked for nearly five years selling a boutique Spanish & Portuguese portfolio.
Molly attained first level certification from the Court of Master Sommeliers, earned the Wine & Spirits Education Trust Diploma, WSG Champagne Master Level Certification and received certification as a Specialist of Wine from the Society of Wine Educators. She earned a B.A. in English from the University of Virginia and an A.S. in Wine Sales and Marketing from Napa Valley College. A native of Baltimore, Molly lives in Washington, D.C. with her husband, Chris, and 9 year-old son, Charlie and 5 year old son, James.
MICHAEL BADER | OWNER & EXECUTIVE CHEF - THE SPECKLED PEAR
With almost 30 years of culinary and food service management experience, Chef Michael Bader is passionate about supporting local farms and purveyors to deliver the highest quality dining experience.
Chef Bader recently opened The Speckled Pear in Fort Mill, a scratch-prepared foods market, restaurant, and wine shop. Before launching The Speckled Pear with his wife and business partner in December 2024, Chef Bader served as Executive Chef of La-Tea-Da’s Catering and provided consulting services to Universities and Corporations, traveling and supporting their culinary needs. He also offered exclusive private chef and catering services for the greater Charlotte area and Coastal Carolina.
Throughout his well-rounded career, Chef Bader has worked in countless kitchens, catered large 18,000+ person events, and worked as a private chef in the Hamptons. Other career highlights include serving as Executive Chef for Wells Fargo Corporate Dining and having the honor of hosting the Charlotte Wine & Food’s Kickoff dinner for more than 7 years. Chef Bader continues to grow and evolve his style, drawing inspiration from travel, influential experiences, and exciting events. He appreciates the importance of fostering relationships and partnering with local businesses to cultivate a long-needed food service operation within the community.
Chef Bader grew up in the US on both coasts, with his early childhood spent in New York and later years in Southern California. He and his wife Robyn live in the greater Charlotte area and have four children – three sons and one daughter. To connect with him, follow him on Instagram: @chefmichealbader and @thespeckledpear
