Wine Spectator’s Bring Your Open Magnum Party made a triumphant return after a five-year hiatus on June 4, as industry icons from around California gathered in the Napa Valley town of St. Helena for one of the most exclusive wine-country fêtes of the year. As the unofficial kickoff of Auction Napa Valley, the party gave vintners and winemakers a chance to relax and socialize before the hectic weekend of events.
“Everyone was starving for a Magnum Party,” said Carole Meredith of Lagier Meredith, as nearly 500 guests arrived at Louis M. Martini winery.
Linda Reiff, president of the Napa Valley Vintners, agreed. “We needed this party now more than ever.” The sentiment reflects the challenging times now facing the wine industry and the appeal of seeing old friends and catching up.
The Magnum Party has been a tradition since Wine Spectator held the first one in 1988. For this year’s celebration, senior editor James Molesworth welcomed the crowd on behalf of editor and publisher Marvin R. Shanken, who was unable to attend. “We’re back, and not only are we back tonight, we’re coming back every Wednesday night of Auction Napa Valley, just like it used to be,” said Molesworth.
The guests were a who’s who of California wine, with veterans and newcomers alike. Mingling in the crowd were Tim Mondavi of Continuum, winemaker Paul Hobbs, Mike and Kendall Officer of Carlisle, winemaker Jeff Mangahas of Williams Selyem, Cleo Pahlmeyer of Wayfarer and Cabernet masters Randy Dunn and Thomas Rivers Brown. Jackson Family Wines was represented by chairman Barbara Banke and winemakers Chris Carpenter and Greg Brewer.
Three tables were scattered on the lawn, offering hundreds of magnum bottles brought for the tasting. Gems included the Abreu Cabernet Madrona Ranch 2012, Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Cask 23 1995, Mayacamas Cabernet Sauvignon 1999, Shafer Vineyards Merlot 1995 and a Louis Martini Mountain Cabernet from 1964. The latter still had a lovely core of fruit, not surprising since most of the grapes came from the prized Monte Rosso Vineyard.
Mel Mannion, special adviser to the publisher at Wine Spectator parent company M. Shanken Communications, also addressed the crowd, to update them on the work of the Wine Spectator Scholarship Foundation. “While this party may have taken a hiatus, the foundation has been very busy,” she said. “For 44 years, the foundation has supported the institutions that educate students that become part of the wine and hospitality industry, our fabulous industry. We are close to completion of the Wine Spectator Education Center at Napa Valley College. The project is the largest donation made by the Wine Spectator Scholarship Foundation, in the amount of $10 million.”
Guests hovered around the stylish and spacious grounds outside Martini winery, which is shaded by old sycamore trees and decorated with cabanas and tables. The al fresco kitchen, part of the winery’s wine and food pairing program, served a grand menu of pizzas fresh from the oven, lobster ravioli, pork porchetta, octopus salad, ahi tuna cones and more. “People are so excited this party is back,” Brown said.
Larry Turley of Turley Cellars, who recently celebrated his 80th birthday, recalled the early years of the party. “I use to be one of the Young Turks coming to this. Now I don’t feel so young anymore, and as I look around, there’s less of us. But it’s a spectacular party.”
Perhaps vintner Bill Harlan summed the evening up best. “We get to see our friends that we only see sometimes once a year. It’s a great time, a great tradition of Marvin’s that brings the wine community together,” said Harlan, recently featured on Wine Spectator’s June cover. “Marvin and the organization have been supporting us all here in the Napa Valley, and have made a big difference for the Napa Valley as a whole.”
Watch the Reel from the event!
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