Fine Wine Program
Many of the RNO’s international donors appreciate fine wine as much as they do great music. The Fine Wine program marries these two arts in a most spectacular fashion.
Under the direction of Dennis Foley, rare-wine consultant to Zachy's auction house, the Fine Wine program has the active involvement of leading winemakers, winery owners and private collectors from the US and Europe.
The Imagine benefit auctions, wine tastings and dinners are a cornerstone of the program. Held annually in San Francisco since 1999, in 2003 Imagine expanded to California’s famed Napa Valley on April 25-27. The first ever Imagine-in-Russia takes place in Moscow, on September 25, 2003. Funds raised through Imagine benefit children’s charities.
Other events include:
July 2003 – Private vineyard tour and tasting at Domaines Schlumberger, the largest and among the most famous wineries of France’s Alsace region. Estate manager Alain Beydon-Schlumberger hosted the group that had traveled to France for the RNO’s concerts at the Colmar Festival.
May 2003 – Dinner hosted by Gordon Getty at his San Francisco residence that featured 8 vintages of Château Cheval Blanc, 1945-1964. Patron Dr. Michael Scianamblo, who donated the wine from his personal cellar, was toasted more than once by the 20 lucky guests seated at one grand table in the Music Room.
November 2002 – In Paris, dinner at the Ambassador’s Residence hosted by US Ambassador Howard H. Leach and his wife Gretchen. The elegant event featured selections from Stag's Leap Wine Cellars and Schramsberg Vineyards, and coincided with the RNO's Paris debut at Théâtre du Châtelet (see photos below).
August 2002 – The RNO's debut in California’s Napa Valley was preceded by dinner at the home of Margrit and Robert Mondavi, attended by special guest Sophia Loren and 30 other patrons who supported bringing the RNO to Napa. The concert was a part of the annual RNO-Grove Street Winery Summer Concert Series.
April 2002 – Two very special wine events were included in a 10-day RNO patron trip. On their way to Russia, the patrons were honored guests for dinner at London’s historic Spencer House hosted by Lord Jacob Rothschild, Donald Kahn and Thomas Black, featuring rare vintages of Château Cheval-Blanc, Montrachet Domaine de la Romanée-Conti and Château d'Yquem. In Moscow, there was a private tasting of premium California Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon – all from wineries owned by patrons. The event was held at the exclusive Monolith Club.
Photos from November 2002 Paris event
 Ambassador Leach greets RNO patron John A. Traina.
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 Gretchen Leach, Ambassador Leach, Warren Winiarski (holding a Jeroboam of 1985 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cask 23), Barbara Winiarski and Gordon Getty. |
 RNO patron Jeanne Vanderbilt, formerly of Palm Beach and now living in Paris. |
 Véronique Jourdain, the RNO's representative in France, with Ambassador Leach. |
 RNO patrons Baroness Philippine de Rothschild, owner of Château Mouton Rothschild in Pauillac, France, and Warren Winiarski, owner of Stag's Leap Wine Cellars in Napa Valley, California. |
 Ambassador Leach welcomes RNO patrons to the Residence and congratulates the orchestra on its Paris debut. |
 RNO Chief Executive Sergei Markov, in his remarks at the dinner, commented on the mutual interest of civilized nations in promoting culture. |
The Russian Arts Foundation, a US 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, accepts in-kind donations of wine in support of the Fine Wine program. These donations are tax-deductible in the U.S. to the extent provided by law, and donors receive an appraisal from a qualified appraiser. For more information please contact