We are so excited to kick off our 37th year of fundraising this fall with a bang!
Join Charlotte Wine + Food’s Connoisseurs for a Cause for our 11TH ANNUAL WELLS FARGO KICKOFF dinner and LIVE AUCTION to raise money for Charlotte-area children's charities as we proudly host a powerhouse wine industry professional, Laurent Drouhin, Director of Sales for North America and Caribbean from Maison Joseph Drouhin. This experience is sure to be a remarkably special occasion for all and a chance to taste an array of Drouhin’s portfolio from both Oregon and France.
The Drouhin family’s winemaking roots run deep, having taken hold in Burgundy’s best vineyards more than a century ago. Through the years, there has been a very clear link, a continuum through the generations, that inhabits Maison Joseph Drouhin in Burgundy, and now in Oregon at Domaine Drouhin Oregon in Dundee Hills and Roserock in Eola-Amity Hills. The family’s quest for excellence in producing elegant, exquisite Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays is forged from the family’s tradition of winemaking since the beginning in 1880.
Wednesday, October 2 | 6:15 p.m.
The cocktail reception featuring an open bar and music by Vadim Kopolokov begins at 6:15 p.m.,
followed by a four-course wine-pairing dinner, live auction and dessert reception.
The cocktail reception will feature Mixologist Bob Peters from Built-on Hospitality and the team behind Ramble Drinkery.
Menu* created by Porcupine Provisions
See the featured wines below.
Foundation For The Carolinas
220 N Tryon Street
Charlotte, NC 28202
Attire: Cocktail, no ties required
Tickets are $500/seat with $250 of each ticket being tax-deductible.
Tables of 8 are available for $4000 with $2000 of each ticket being tax-deductible.
All seating is at round tables of 8.
*NOTE: dietary restrictions can be accommodated if indicated at the time of registration.
If buying a table, please notify us of as many guests’ names and their emails at the time of registration.
Extra-Pour Package Option
Anyone purchasing a full table will have the option to take advantage of our extra-pour package. The extra-pour package will provide table hosts with two extra bottles of the 2021 Joseph Drouhin Pommard (3rd-course wine) to be dropped at the table during the third course to be enjoyed the rest of the dinner and through the live auction which will start with the 4th course. The cost is $250/table with $50 tax-deductible. Purchase must be completed by September 23.
***Featured wines will be available for sale through the Wine Vault***
10% of proceeds from wine sales will benefit our charitable partners.
ABOUT Maison Joseph Drouhin | BOURGOGNE, FRANCE
Founded in Beaune in 1880, Maison Joseph Drouhin’s cellars have spread from the historical Cellars of the Dukes of Burgundy and the Kings of France in Beaune (12th-18th centuries) to the Moulin de Vaudon, an 18th-century watermill in Chablis. Rigorous attention to detail, self-imposed discipline, a desire to learn, a strong sense of values, passion and daring, are the qualities that have been handed down through the generations, together with the art of winemaking and a never-ending search for excellence.
With 93 hectares (230 acres), the Joseph Drouhin Domaine is one of the largest estates in Burgundy. It owns vineyards in all of Burgundy: Chablis, Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune, Côte Chalonnaise, Mâconnais, and Beaujolais. and is comprised of a majority of Premier and Grand Crus, planted with the two Burgundian grape varietals, pinot noir and chardonnay.
The Domaine was put together through the years thanks to judicious purchases and agreements between families. Some vineyards are among the most famous in Burgundy, such as Clos des Mouches, Musigny, Clos de Vougeot, and Corton-Charlemagne, to name a few.
For some village or regional appellations, Joseph Drouhin complements its supplies by purchasing grapes from other vineyard owners who have been long-time partners and share the same quest of excellence.
Starting with the vintage 2008, the name “Vaudon” has been associated with Joseph Drouhin for all its Chablis wines as a sign of the firm’s allegiance to this historical terroir.
The Moulin de Vaudon, a property of Joseph Drouhin, is an 18th-century watermill straddling the Serein River, close to the Grand Cru vineyards of Chablis. Because of its unique location at the heart of the estate, this historical mill is the headquarters of the Drouhin Domaine in Chablis.
ABOUT DOMAINE DROUHIN OREGON | DUNDEE HILLS, OREGON
Domaine Drouhin Oregon - the estate winery in the Dundee Hills creates elegant, fine Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines forged from teh Drouhin family’s tradition of fine winemaking in France. For more than 30 years, the Drouhin Family has brought a wealth of hard-earned experience to their vineyards in the Dundee Hills, just southwest of Portland, Oregon.
ABOUT ROSEROCK | Eola-Amity Hills, Oregon
Roserock is the newest chapter of the Drouhin story. Purchased in 2013, Roserock is the Drouhin Family's prized, LIVE-certified estate on 305 acres in the Willamette Valley's Eola-Amity Hills AVA. Here, just 25 miles south of sister estate Domaine Drouhin Oregon, a markedly unique climate and soil profile create the ideal growing conditions for cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Laurent Drouhin, Director of SaleS, North America and Caribbean - MAiSON JOSEPH DROUHIN
Born in 1966 in Beaune, the center of France’s Burgundy region, Laurent Drouhin is the second son and third child of Françoise and Robert Drouhin.
A graduate of Ecole Supérieure de Géstion (ESG) with a specialization in international commerce, Laurent joined Maison Joseph Drouhin in 1993 as sales manager responsible for the Paris market. In 1999 he assumed responsibility for the United States and Caribbean markets. The United States is the number one export market for the wines of Joseph Drouhin. With his outgoing charm and exuberant personality, Laurent is a natural ambassador for Joseph Drouhin wines. To many people the wines of Burgundy are dauntingly complicated and complex, but to Laurent it is far simpler: “The more you know about wine, the closer you get to Burgundy, and the more you know about Burgundy, the closer you get to Maison Joseph Drouhin.” Within a short space of time, Laurent can convince the most nervous of neophytes that they “get” Burgundy.
He and his wife Beatrice, along their two children, Aurore, born in 1996, and Amaury, born in 2002, currently live in the suburbs of New York City from where he oversees the sales and marketing of all Drouhin wines with a special relationship with Dreyfus Ashby, importers of the family's wines since the 1960s.
His children, Laurent notes, were born in stellar vintage years. Over the years, Laurent has developed a passion for golf.
MENU & WINE LIST
RECEPTION
Chef's Choice Passed Appetizers
2022 Joseph Drouhin Chablis Premier Cru
FIRST COURSE
Poached Halibut, Peach Carpaccio, Ver Jus Focaccia Pangrattato
2022 Joseph Drouhin Pouilly-Fuissé
SECOND COURSE
Pan Seared Duck, Pickled Dried Wild Maine Blueberries, Beet Greens, Smoked Beets, Pistachio Olive Gremolata
Side by Side: 2022 Domaine Drouhin Oregon Pinot Noir | 2021 Joseph Drouhin Côte de Beaune Rouge
THIRD COURSE
Creamy Panisse, Swiss Chard, Braised Local Mushrooms with Red Wine Porcini Reduction
2021 Joseph Drouhin Pommard
FOURTH COURSE
Deconstructed "Beef Short Rib Bourguignon"
Side by Side: 2021 Joseph Drouhin Vosne-Romanée | 1.5 oz Taste of 2021 Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru
Dessert Reception:
NV Champagne Drappier Rosé de Saignée Brut
Brown Butter Biscoff Cookie
Strawberry Cake Cookie
Courtesy of Honeybear Bakeshop
BRUCE & LESLIE SCHLERNITZAUER | PROPRIETORS - PORCUPINE PROVISIONS
Bruce Schlernitzauer, a Navy brat, is mostly from Massachusetts and Leslie is a Charlotte native. They met in college in Massachusetts and later Bruce went to Johnson & Wales in Cranston, RI in their advanced standing culinary program while Leslie received her MBA from Boston University. In 1994, they arrived in Charlotte and two years later opened Porcupine Café on East Boulevard. After closing Porcupine Café, they opened Porcupine Provisions, becoming one of Charlotte's top caterers. In June of 2020 they launched Gathered, a twice monthly delivery basket filled with carefully curated local lovelies from the catering team behind Porcupine Provisions.
Leslie serves on several boards including Charlotte Wine + Food, Council for Children’s Rights and previously served on the Advisory Board for Charlotte Concerts. They have two children (girls) Megan (24) and Grace (20). When not cooking for a profit you will find them cooking for a cause every chance they get!
BOB PETERS | BEVERAGE DIRECTOR - BUILT ON HOSPITALITY
Bob Peters of Built on Hospitality group is actually a Charlotte native which makes him as rare and as special as the libations you will find behind his bar. With strong southern roots, Bob has always enjoyed the art of dining and taking care of friends. He is well known for his creative palate as well as for his ability to entertain. Peters has won numerous awards including the 2015 Global Mixologist of the Year for The Ritz-Carlton Corporation, numerous Best of Charlotte Awards from Best Mixologist, Best Upscale Bar, to Most Inventive Cocktail. He has been featured often in national, regional and local publications and is a regularly featured guest on Charlotte television. In the spring of 2016 & 2018 he accompanied some of the most elite chefs from Charlotte, NC to the coveted James Beard House in New York City to present a “Taste of Charlotte” dinner to the Big Apple’s food fanatics.
In January 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 Bob was a featured mixologist at the highly acclaimed Cayman Cookout food festival hosted by Eric Ripert, Jose Andres, and by the late Anthony Bourdain. At the Cayman Cookout Bob has been featured with Emeril Lagasse, Andrew Zimmern, Rick Bayliss, and Sean Brock creating cocktails paired with the headlining chefs’ food.
Bob has been featured talent at the Charleston Wine & Food, Savannah Seafood & Spirits Festival, and the Atlanta Food & Wine Festivals. Along with teaching seminars at Las Vegas Nightclub and Bar show in 2017, 2018, & 2019 Bob started Bob Peters Consulting LLC and his first client was listed in Charlotte’s Best New Restaurant and Bar programs.
You will now find Bob as the Beverage Director for the esteemed restaurant group Built on Hospitality including The Goodyear House, Old Town Kitchen & Cocktails, Haymaker & soon to be Chief’s cocktail bar.
When you join Bob for a cocktail, be prepared to linger and let go of the reins. In no time, you will be carried away on a journey sure to delight the senses. Check him out in Charlotte, North Carolina. You will be captivated by what you find and heʼll have the hootch ready.
Hannah Neville | Owner & Pastry Chef - Honeybear Bake Shop
Hannah is the owner/pastry chef of Honeybear Bake Shop. She studied Baking and Pastry Arts at The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY and received her associate’s degree in 2010. After graduating, she worked at The Inn at Little Washington. She then moved to Vail, Colorado, and worked at Sweet Basil and The Sebastian Hotel. After her time in Colorado, she moved and found her home in Charlotte, NC. Since moving to Charlotte she has been the pastry chef at 5Church Restaurant Group, Big View Diner, and The Ritz-Carlton Hotel. She was furloughed from her job at The Ritz-Carlton when the pandemic hit.
That is when Honeybear was created; during her time of being furloughed, she started baking more from home. She wanted to fulfill her dream of opening her own bakery. She started baking cookies, lots and lots of cookies. She decided that Charlotte needed a fun cookie bakery with unique fun flavors! Here we are today! Honeybear Bake Shop has been in business for two years. Honeybear Bake Shop has won Best Cookies in North Carolina by Yelp in 2021 and Charlotte Magazine BOB Award for Best Cookies in 2021 and 2022.
DAN LYLES | auctioneer
Dan is a professional fundraising auctioneer who has a passion for helping non-profits maximize their fundraising potential. Daniel has conducted hundreds of auctions and is the “go-to guy” for many of the largest fundraisers in Charlotte, NC, Charleston, SC and Greenville, SC. Dan relies on humor and fun to set the stage for high-impact giving.
His professional experience includes sales, marketing, and brand management. He is a graduate of The Southeastern School of Auctioneering, and is currently an instructor in the school on art and marketing/branding and teaches auctioneers on the state level with continued education courses.
Dan is an active member of the South Carolina Auctioneers Association (SCAA) and the National Auctioneers Association (NAA) and serves as Director for the South Carolina Auctioneers Association.
