SALUTE! WINE AUCTION 2003
at
LYRIC OPERA OF CHICAGOFriday, February 21
featuring "Super Tuscan" winemaker
Marchese Piero Antinori
as Honored Guest
($350/person, black tie)On Friday, February 21, some 500 formally dressed wine aficionados and Lyric Opera supporters will gather at the Civic Opera House in Chicago for one of the most important (and fun!) wine auctions in the country: Lyric Opera of Chicago's Wine Auction 2003.
This is the seventh wine auction organized by the Women's Board of Lyric Opera of Chicago since 1988. Mrs. T. Kimball Brooker and Mrs. James C. Pritchard are co-chairmen of Wine Auction 2003. Mrs. Ian McCutcheon is vice chairman.
One of the company's most significant fundraising events, Lyric Opera's Wine Auctions have raised more than $2.3 million since 1988. The proceeds go directly to Lyric's annual campaigns, which support the world-renowned opera company's activities.
The evening's honored guest is Marchese Piero Antinori, admired and respected internationally for his stellar contributions to the wine industry. The native of Florence is credited with enhancing the wine reputation of the Tuscany region of Italy as well as inventing a new category of wine, the Super Tuscan, by blending Cabernet Sauvignon with the grape traditional to the Tuscany region - Sangiovese. Today, Antinori's Tignanello and Solaia are two of the world's finest and most sought-after Super Tuscan wines. They will be featured in Lyric Opera's Wine Auction 2003.
Beginning at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, February 21, wine lovers from around the country and abroad will refresh themselves with champagne and hors d'oeuvre while placing silent auction bids in the Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Grand Foyer of the Civic Opera House. More than two hundred lots comprised of fine and rare wines, specialty items, and assorted indulgences will be offered.
At 7:45 p.m. the silent auction will close. Guests will proceed onto the beautifully set stage of the Ardis Krainik Theatre (with elegant opera scenery completing the unique setting) for a lavish dinner prepared by Executive Chef François Kwaku-Dongo of Spago and Wolfgang Puck Catering. Fine wines will be served to complement each course.
The live auction of approximately 100 lots will begin at 9:15 p.m., conducted by Michael Davis (Sotheby's), and Ursula Hermacinski (Zachys). It will feature exceptional wines and luxury offerings. Included amongst the outstanding auction items are a magnum of 1986 Solaia signed by Marchese Piero Antinori; a magnum of 1990 Tignanello signed by Lyric Opera's music director, Sir Andrew Davis; 1 Imperial of Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 1982; 6 magnums of Château Cheval-Blanc 1955; 12 bottles of 1986 Chateau Margaux; a magnum of 1998 Harlan Estate Proprietary Red Wine; and a 10 day/9 night stay for four in Kerry, Ireland and London, England.
The Lyric Opera event "is clearly one of the leading wine auctions in the country," says Michael Davis. "What distinguishes Lyric's wine auction is that it has very deep and very broad support from private collectors as well as from corporations that are not wine-related. That support is very impressive and unusual." Davis also notes that "whereas most charity wine auctions occur yearly, Lyric's holding its auction every three years enables the Women's Board to hone every detail, so the end result is nothing less than magical."
Serving as honorary chairmen of Wine Auction 2003 are Women's Board members Mrs. Lester Crown, Mrs. James J. O'Connor, Mrs. Paul W. Oliver, Jr., Mrs. Patrick G. Ryan, Mrs. D. Gideon Searle, and Mrs. Jane Duboise Silvestri.
Wine Auction 2003's Presenting Sponsor is Northern Trust. Additional sponsors are Sara Lee Corporation (Leadership Wine Donor); Dr. and Mrs. Gerald Dorros, Jane B. Gidwitz, and The McTigue Financial Group (Lead Sponsors); Mr. and Mrs. John W. Jordan II, Katten Muchin Zavis Rosenman, Kraft Foods and Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation (Sponsors); Mr. and Mrs. Edgar D. Jannotta, Pricewaterhouse Cooper LLP, and Mr. and Mrs. D. Gideon Searle (Benefactors). Special thanks to Lyric Opera's Official Airline, American Airlines, for its generous donations to Wine Auction 2003.
Tickets for Wine Auction 2003 are available at $350. Donations of fine wines or luxury items will be accepted until the date of the event. To make reservations and/or donations, please call (312) 827-5682 or email WineAuction2003@lyricopera.org. For additional information about Wine Auction 2003, including specific wines, luxury items, and exciting travel packages being offered, please click here.
For more information about Wine Auction 2003, to purchase a catalogue, to inquire about reservations, or to make a donation of fine wine or a luxury item, please call 312-827-5682. $350/person, black tie.
