Oui, darlings, it’s the ninth annual LA PAULÉE DE SAN FRANCISCO, and the winos are celebrating. Here’s some background on the posh event: “Over the years, Burgundy aficionado Daniel Johnnes has dedicated himself to educating consumers and collectors about the fine wines of Burgundy, promoting the rich cultural traditions of the region and bringing many of the humble winemakers out of their cellars and into the spotlight to share their superb wines. Starting in the late 1980s, Daniel began hosting wine dinners with some of the most sought after winemakers from Burgundy—opening bottles that most collectors had never seen outside of France. Thanks to growing interest and a desire to reach a broader audience of Burgundy enthusiasts, Daniel introduced La Paulée to New York in 2000.
“La Paulée is Daniel Johnnes’ homage to La Paulée de Meursault, a convivial Burgundian fête where growers and their guests come together to celebrate the harvest. It is the third component to “Les Trois Glorieuses” or “The Three Glorious Days” in Burgundy that are made up of a formal dinner at Clos de Vougeot, the famous charitable auction of Les Hospices de Beaune, and the lively Paulée de Meursault where winemakers bring bottles from their cellars to toast the harvest. The first La Paulée de Meursault took place in 1923 in a local restaurant in Meursault and was hosted by Jules Lafon, the great grandfather of Dominique Lafon, winemaker of Domaine des Comtes Lafon in Meursault and regular participant in Daniel Johnnes’ La Paulée. The tradition continues and the annual La Paulée de Meursault is one of the most sought-after tickets for lovers of great Burgundy.”
In 2010, the 9th annual La Paulée will be held in San Francisco. Guests at La Paulée de San Francisco will delight in the newest releases and older vintage wines from over forty of the most sought after Domaines of Burgundy. The event gives collectors with deep cellars a unique opportunity to enjoy their most prized bottles with the winemakers themselves, other collectors, top sommeliers from across the country and chefs. Daniel Johnnes himself is often seen at the event carrying around a Methuselah of an outstanding wine to toast with guests and winemakers, thanking them for joining him at La Paulée!
Host chef Michael Mina will welcome 3-star Michelin-rated chefs Daniel Boulud and Michel Troisgros to collaborate on an unforgettable menu (I am quite sure). The beneficiary of this year’s charity auction held during the Gala Dinner will be Meals On Wheels of San Francisco.
Here is the list of attending growers from Burgundy: Domaine Marquis D’Angerville ٠ Domaine Charles Audoin ٠ Domaine de L’Arlot ٠ Domaine Ballot-Millot ٠ Domaine Bonneau du Martray ٠ Bouchard Père et Fils ٠ Domaine Brocard ٠ Domaine Chevalier Père et Fils ٠ Domaine Blain-Gagnard ٠ Domaine Alain Chavy ٠ Domaine Jean-Louis Chavy ٠ Domaine Bruno Colin ٠ Domaine Philippe Colin ٠ Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey ٠ Domaine de Courcel ٠ Joseph Drouhin ٠ David Duband ٠ Domaine Dujac ٠ Domaine D’Eugenie ٠ Domaine Faiveley ٠ Domaine Michel Gay et Fils Domaine Pierre Gelin ٠ Camille Giroud ٠ Domaine Jean Grivot ٠ Domaine Michel Gros ٠ Maison Louis Jadot ٠ Domaine des Comtes Lafon ٠ Domaine de Lalande ٠ Domaine Leflaive ٠ Thibault Liger-Belair ٠ Domaine Long Depaquit ٠ Domaine Matrot ٠ Domaine de Montille ٠ Domaine Christian Moreau Père et Fils ٠ Domaine Denis Mortet ٠ Domaine Michel Niellon ٠ Domaine Perrot-Minot ٠ Patrick Piuze Domaine Ramonet ٠ Domaine Michèle et Patrice Rion ٠ Domaine Georges Roumier ٠ Domaine Tollot-Beaut ٠ Domaine de la Vougeraie ٠ a presentation from the Hospices de Beaune ٠ and a selection from the Village of Meursault.
The program of events is pretty sick (uh, $1,400 gala dinner), so I’ll let the website tell you all about the super-luxe events. But one thing to note is the Grand Tasting on Saturday March 13th from 12pm-3pm ($275).
Event Info
Thursday Mar 11, 2010 – Saturday Mar 13, 2010
Tickets/info
Westin St. Francis
212-625-2519
