Nestled in the heart of Napa Valley, Sullivan Rutherford Estate boasts 26 acres of vineyards and lush grounds. Founded in 1972 by Napa Valley wine pioneer James O’Neil Sullivan, Sullivan is a boutique winery acclaimed for producing distinctive Merlot & Cabernet Sauvignon over the last 50 years.
Wine Circle
Wine Circle 2024 on NOV 15 at 6pm
The Wine Circle 2024 is an exclusive event celebrating gastronomy and wine, designed for guests to indulge in an epicurean experience while supporting the Lycée. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Lycée's MIND Endowment Scholarship: Merit, Inclusivity, Need-Driven, ensuring that a Lycée education remains accessible to students who have demonstrated exceptional academic merit and are subject to economic constraints.
wineries | MIND ENDOWMENT SCHOLARSHIP | PREVIEW LIVE AUCTION | register |
2024 MENU
Reception
An assortment of passed Canapé & Tsar Nicoulai Golden Reserve Caviar
1st course:
Scallop Crudo, Micro-Greens, Caviar & Lemon-Vinaigrette
2nd Course:
Line Caught Local Halibut Saffron Sauce & Seabeans
3rd Course:
Grilled Cote de Boeuf, Wild Mushrooms, Potato Gratin & Haricot Vert
4th Course:
French cheese - Epoisses, Tomme de Savoie & Fourme d’Ambert
5th Course:
Opera Cake
Wine Pairings
LA CAVE
Frederick BOELEN
Champagne Guilleminot Pinot Noir, N.V.
FAYARD WINES
Camille GAIO
Purlieu Platt Vineyard Chardonnay, 2018
AXR
Jean HOEFLIGER
AXR Ganzin Sauvignon Blanc, 2023
HANDWRITTEN
Frédérick Boelen
Cabernet Franc Calistoga, 2021
SULLIVAN RUTHERFORD ESTATE
Juan Pablo Torres-Padilla
J.O. Sullivan Founder’s Reserve Merlot, 2019
THOMAS FOGARTY WINERY
Tommy Fogarty, Jr.
La Vida Bella Vineyard Pinot Noir, 2017
VGS CHATEAU POTELLE
Jean-Noël Fourmeaux
VGS Cabernet Sauvignon, 2020
MYSTERY WINE
Midori & Pierre-Yves Lesaicherre
ABOUT THE EVENT
November 15, 6pm
French Club-Cercle de L'Union, 414 Mason Street, Suite 801, San Francisco
The fourth edition of the Wine Circle, will once again be held in one of the most prestigious clubs of San Francisco: the French Club - Cercle de L'Union, which amateurs of wine and gastronomy in-the-know highly appreciate.
Enjoy the evening by savoring a French 5-course gastronomic dinner prepared by renowned chef Lionel BALBASTRE paired with a selection of exceptional wines.
Our vintners, guests at the table, will present their wine as it is poured. Professional auctioneer, Devon Bell, will auction off a carefully curated selection of a few wine lots and experiences. Guests will raise their glasses in toasts and raise their paddles for the Lycée MIND Endowment Scholarship (Merit, Inclusivity, Need-Driven) to ensure access to Lycée education.
All proceeds will benefit the MIND Endowment Scholarship, ensuring that Lycée education will continue to be available to students who have demonstrated exceptional academic merit who face socioeconomic challenges.
We invite you to purchase tickets and register. Note, seating is limited to 50 and is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Jean Hoefliger is an artisan inherently driven to push the envelope, continually challenging the cognizance of, not only winemaking, but life in general. With an insatiable appetite for art, philosophy, and a good discussion, Jean thrives when his creativity and passion are left unbound by conventional thinking. In his winemaking, the essence of these experiences is brought to life through a particular craft of winemaking: fundamentally balanced by his experiences in bordeaux, now left unbridled on the frontier of Napa Valley, making AXR a delectable intersection between the past and future of wine.
Julien Fayard is a winemaker with over 25 years of experience, crafting Fayard Wines alongside his team, including Camille Gaio, Director of Winemaking. Using traditional methods, Fayard Wines emphasize the importance of his traditional approach: “There’s a lot of anticipation in my decision-making on the ground,” he explains. “Great wine is a natural product of the grapes, which is why my philosophy is rooted in the vineyard.”
VGS’ moto is “Perfection Without Pretention.” Over the last 35 years, Chateau Potelle has built a solid reputation for its commitment to quality. VGS Chateau Potelle, is known only by those who search for wines that have dimension, subtlety and definitive character. Their assertiveness is all in the layers of nuances, not in the over-ripeness of fruit
Tom Fogarty Jr. was 10 years old when Chardonnay was first planted on the family's property. Tom views the estate vineyards as an extension of his family. In his words, "I have a brother who was born a little bit before the vineyards, but it basically came right along with all of my siblings. It certainly is the neediest member of the family."
Frederick Boelen is the 7th generation wine merchant started in 1883 by George Wheeler in the UK. Growing up in the luxury hospitality industry in Honfleur, France, Frederick moved to the US in 2015 and started an extension of his French shops “La Cave” in Napa Valley, importing and selling exclusive boutique wines direct to consumers
Handwritten celebrates ancient traditions, honoring the art of craftsmanship and individuality in each vintage. Just as handwriting is unique to each person, so is each wine, creating a gathering place for wine and literary enthusiasts who value exploration and conversation. Handwritten’s story centers on crafting exceptional Napa Valley District Cabernet Sauvignon from premier hillside and mountain vineyards across diverse terroirs.
The evening
6:00 PM
Welcome
Hors d’oeuvres and Champagne
7:00 PM
French 5-course gastronomic dinner with wine pairing.
Wine Auction
The MIND Scholarship Paddle Raise
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
WHEN: FRIDAY, NOV 10, 2023 6 PM
WHERE: 414 Mason Street, Suite 801 in San Francisco.