With the 2019 Dallas American Heart Association‘s Cotes du Coeur on Saturday, May 4, approaching, Event Co-Chairs Laura and Eric Hutto arranged to have sponsors donate really “big bottles” on Thursday, January 24, for the annual wine auction. They even got Jennifer and Peter Altabef to open their fabulous home for the collection of bottles valued at $250+. Here’s a report from the field:
American Heart Association’s 2019 Côtes du Coeur season officially kicked off Thursday, January 24, with a modern Great Gatsby themed Big Bottle Party, at the Preston Hollow home of Jennifer and Peter Altabef. Guests, including Kim and Greg Hext, Deloitte’s John Levis, Toyota’s Rich Valenstein and his wife Kitty Valenstein, Event Co-Chairs Laura and Eric Hutto, past Co-Chairs Terri and Tim Gallagher, Caliber Collision’s Steve Grimshaw with his wife Melissa Grimshaw, Competitive Camera/ gourmet cook Eugene Jabbour with his sister Gina Park (Eugene’s bride Melanie Jabbour was home with an under-the-weather youngster) and American Heart Association’s Melissa Cameron, enjoyed delectable appetizers from the Food Company and fine wine from Stags Leap District’s Pine Ridge Vineyards.
On a pass through the grand parlor, one couldn’t help but over hear ooo’s and ahh’s of the Altabef’s stunning home and the amazing scent in the air. For those wondering, Jennifer confirmed the delightful fragrance was courtesy of her Nest candle – bamboo scent! As guests took in the palatial backyard, palettes were delighted by Pine Ridge Vineyards’ 2015 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and 2016 Carneros Collines Vineyards Chardonnay.
The Deloitte sponsored event, which requested attendees bring a big bottle valued at $250 or more, is the first of four events leading up to the Côtes du Coeur Gala. The 100+ guests were in for a treat when they got to compete for whose big bottle was the best of the best, with competition categories including: Biggest Bottle, Most Unique, Best Etching and Best in Show.
The Biggest Bottle honors went to Sandy Nachman and her Imperial bottle of 2005 The Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon. Trisha and Rick Allen’s 2012 Vietti Barolo Ravera received the Most Unique honors, while Hailstone Vineyard’s 2014 Hailstone “Impact” Cabernet Sauvignon was Best Etched. Patti and Joe Brayton rounded out the competition with their signed and engraved Imperial bottle of 2007 Ramey Pedregal, receiving Best in Show. This exclusive bottle of wine is No. 2 of 12 created in the world.
The American Heart Association is still accepting big bottle donations to be included in Big Bottle Alley, one of the largest fine wine auctions in the southwest, at Côtes du Coeur on Saturday, May 4, at the Omni Dallas. For more information on Dallas’ premiere fine wine and celebrity chef experience visit cotesducoeur.heart.org.