THE CITY`S HOTTEST SALONS: OUR READERS` CHOICE WINNERS

LI FESTYLES
THE CITY'S HOTTEST SALONS: OUR READERS' CHOICE WINNERS
TOP
DOCTORS
2014
150+
PHYSICIANS IN
47 SPECIALTIES
PLUS
A SPOTLIGHT ON
SOME OF MUSIC
CITY’S BEST MDs
July 2014
nashvillelifestyles.com
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taste
The Amazing Dinner Party at the home
of Keith and Deby Pitts
Invite Only
THE NASHVILLE WINE AUCTION CONTINUES TO THROW
THE MOST EXCLUSIVE DINNER PARTIES IN TOWN.
Brian McHenry, Eliza Kra
ft Olander,
and Allison and Jay DeM
arcus
BY KAY WEST. PHOTOS BY WILL VASTINE AND AMY CHERRY.
ON A MISTY NIGHT this past spring, 12 people
gathered in the home of Mary and Michael
Spalding. The same 12 people had stood together
previously, in the ballroom of the Loews Vanderbilt Hotel last July, during the 34th annual l’Eté
du Vin. They were the winning participants of a
live auction item: a spot at a dinner with pairings
of 1966 Bordeaux. When they finally took thei
seats inside the Spaldings’ exquisite dining room,
they were anxious to savor their reward—14
Bordeaux wines, including four First Growths. All
of the wines came from the cellars of Deby and
Keith Pitts and Tom Black.
“Our mission is to unite the wine community to
fund the fight against cance ,” says Holly Whaley,
executive director of the Nashville Wine Auction,
which produces l’Eté du Vin and its satellite
events throughout the year. “There are several
ways to do that, and one is a somewhat challenging tasting like this. It is a rare opportunity to
have all of these wines together. Even the collectors who donate them aren’t going to open 14
bottles in one night. You want to be together with
friends to share and learn,” she adds.
While the evening began with guests enjoying passed hors d’oeuvres and 1990 Charles
Heidsieck champagne in the living room, like all
good dinner parties, everyone ended up in the
Spaldings’ large kitchen. Mary Spalding, Deby
Pitts, and Nancy Hearn chatted with Miel chef
Will Uhlhorn, who was cooking for the evening, at
the royal blue French range. Miel owner Seema
Prasad stood alongside, on hand to plate the feast.
At the other end of the kitchen, dozens of
glasses were lined up in precise rows on a linencovered table, each with paper collars on the
stem identifying the wine to be poured. Keith
Pitts and Billy Ray Hearn hovered over sommelier Nando Fernandez, assistant director of food
and beverage at Gaylord Opryland Hotel. There
was a mixture of anxiety and admiration from
the pair as Fernandez approached each 48-yearold bottle. Designated pourer Jennifer McDonald, who also works at Gaylord, and Fernandez
were volunteering their time and talents. “I love
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doing this,” said Fernandez. “It reminds me of
the romance of wine.”
He was all business as he slowly and carefully
worked a specialty corkscrew, called The Durand,
around the old corks. “There will likely be at
least one that has turned,” said Hearn. “But these
horizontal tastings are so educational. They tell us
something about each vineyard and winemaker.”
As servers delivered the first of four courses
seared quail with foie gras velouté and crispy
potato puree—Keith Pitts remained standing to
discuss the first four wines
It is a role he also performed last August, when
20 guests came to the Pitts’ stunning home for
The Amazing Dinner Party—five courses pr pared by chefs Ashley Christensen, Tandy Wilson,
and Tyler Brown with wines from the Pitts, Eliza
Kraft Olander, and Brian McHenry.
“We have such a generous community of
donors, and they love to plan these dinners,”
says Whaley. “We are in the process of gathering 1985s. Certain vintages are great in certain
regions of the world, but ’85s in particular seem
to be a vintage that was good around the world, so
we’re collecting Italian, French, Australian, and
California wines. We’ll probably have 30 different
wines. Watermark restaurant will be our host for
a Saturday brunch event. Guests will go in the
morning, have a multi-course brunch, taste all
these wines, and then go home and take a nap!”
The Watermark brunch, a Dom Pérignon dinner for 16 in a private home, and a dozen more
wining and dining opportunities will be spotlighted at the 35th annual l’Eté du Vin on August
2 at Loews Vanderbilt Hotel (see more in the
sidebar). Featured this year are legendary First
Bid High, Bid Often
A few of the auction items you’ll
find at this year s l’Eté du Vin.
Around the World in 1985: Taste 30
spectacular wines from around the globe,
all from the outstanding 1985 vintage at
Watermark Restaurant.
Dinner with America’s Most Famous
Wine Family: Sit down with fourthgeneration winemaker Tim Mondavi as he
guides a vertical tasting of the 2005-2011
vintages of Mondavi’s Continuum.
Margaux All Out: A one-of-a-kind
tasting, showcasing wines from the
legendary Château Margaux, including
vintages from 1982, 1983, 1988, 1990,
1995, 1996, 1998, 2002, and 2003.
Seared quail with foie gras velouté
Growth Château Margaux and Paul Pontallier, the
Bordeaux estate’s managing director and winemaker. It is the grand finale of a weekend tha
includes a Grand Cru Evening at Barbara and Kix
Brooks’ home, the Vintners’ Tasting at the Richland Country Club, and the Patrons’ Dinner at
the Hermitage Hotel. All funds raised—over $18
million so far—benefit organizations in Middl
Tennessee devoted to the treatment, patient care,
and eradication of cancer.
Champagne Fête with Dom Pérignon: A
gourmet dinner for 16 with the world-class
champagnes of Dom Pérignon. Big Kenny, Sean Brock and
Billy Ray Hearn
For tickets or more information, go to
nashvillewineauction.com.
Chefs Tyler Brown, Ashley
on
Christensen, and Tandy Wils
A few of the 1966 Bordeaux tasted at the home of Mary and Michael Spalding
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