Raise Your Glass to our Honorary Vintner and International Honorary Vintner of 2015

   Each year we review those vintners that have been instrumental in our success since inception.  We aim to identify a winemaker that has helped us define and support our mission, one that has helped us connect wine enthusiasts with the goal of helping children in need in Northwest Florida. We recognize their support by bestowing the title of Honorary Vintner at the upcoming auction.  We are proud to announce that our 2015 Honorary Vintner is Joseph Phelps Vineyards.

Joseph Phelps Vineyards, established in 1973, has yielded three perfect 100 point scores from Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate. Thirty-one of thirty-seven vintages have been rated 90 or more by various wine publications in just four decades. Over the years, they have acquired prime vineyards in Napa Valley to pursue becoming 100% estate grown. Today, the Phelps estate spreads across the Spring Valley Home Ranch outside of St. Helena, Banca Dorada in Rutherford, Backus Vineyard in Oakville, Las Rocas and Barboza vineayrds in Stags leap, Yountville Vineyard in Oak Knoll, Suscol Vineyard in South Napa, and beginning with the 2011 growing season, Larry Hyde & Sons Vineyard in Carneros. Unique to Joseph Phelps Vineyards is the honeybee program and half of the vineyards’ soil that is grazed by farm animals during vine dormancy to incorporate biodynamic farming into their viticulture program. The president, Bill Phelps, has also made half of the vineyards fully biodynamic, meaning eliminating pesticides and increasing beneficial plants, or “going green”. 

To Kick off our 10 year Anniversary, Our Board of Directors and staff would like to add to the tradition and honor our international vintners that have supported us. This year is the first year that we have chosen to recognize an International Honorary Vintner at our upcoming auction. We are pleased to announce Chateau de Beaucastel as the first Destin Charity Wine Auction International Honorary Vintner.

The first evidence of Chateau de Beaucastel as it exists today can be found in 1549, when Pierre de Beaucastel bought a barn and plot of land. The manor house would then be built with the arms of Beaucastel sculpted in the stone of the wall of the drawing room. Fast forward to 1909 when Pierre Tramier lead the wine estate and then passes it on to his son-in-law Pierre Perrin, a scientist who developed Beaucastel. Jacques Perrin continued the efforts of his father. The 5th generation work today together with Jacques Perrin’s sons. Respecting the Terroir and highlighting the history is Beaucastel’s philosophy. They continue the tradition of blending 13 historical varieties of Chateauneuf du Pape, which results in an unmatched style, every year. 

We would like to invite you to raise your glass and congratulate Bill Phelps as well as Marc Perrin and the Perrin Family with us. #CheersTo10Years everyone!

Published on Thursday, February 5, 2015