Wine Harvest Luncheon: A Perfect Kickoff to Atlanta's Wine Auction Season

As my wife Dio beamed with pride while she surveyed the beautifully set tables at Local Three Kitchen & Bar, I couldn't help but feel immense excitement for what would soon unfold. After months of meticulous planning, November 8, 2024, marked the debut of the High Museum Wine Auction's very first Wine Harvest Luncheon — a sophisticated kickoff event that would set the tone for the entire 2025 auction season. What began as the High Museum team's vision to combine their traditional, separate luncheons had grown into something truly special: an intimate gathering featuring four exceptional winemakers, an inspired multi-course meal, and a selection of auction lots that would provide benefactors with many exciting opportunities to support the Museum's mission.

Standing outside Local Three just before the luncheon started, I felt that familiar flutter of anticipation that comes with attending truly special wine events. Atlanta’s autumn weather was near-perfect, and seeing the various High Museum banners and signage made it clear this wasn't just another lunch — this was the official beginning of wine auction season!

A YEAR-LONG, BEHIND THE SCENES COMMITMENT

Shortly after the 2024 Wine Auction concluded in March, Dio had been approached about serving alongside Lauren Reeves as co-chair for the 2025 event. As I wrote earlier here about our 2024 Cultivation Trip, both women accepted the prestigious volunteer position and dove headfirst into the year-long commitment of planning and executing one of the country's premier charity wine auctions.

The co-chair responsibilities are extensive and meaningful. Working closely with the High Museum's Wine Auction team, co-chairs help determine the auction's theme, cultivate participation from both long-term patrons and new benefactors, secure donations for live and silent auctions, and help coordinate all manner of events throughout the year. From bi-weekly planning meetings to the annual cultivation trip to wine country, co-chairs are intimately involved in every aspect of the auction's success.

All told, it’s a fairly massive — and multifaceted — undertaking.

The High Museum team had already made the strategic decision to discontinue the separate Ladies' and Gentlemen's Lunches that had been traditional staples of the auction for years, creating instead this new, single Wine Harvest Luncheon that would welcome all benefactors together in one group. Dio and Lauren collaborated closely alongside the other team members to collectively make this inaugural event successful. They helped to select exceptional wineries that would deliver both outstanding wines and compelling stories for this entirely fresh approach to auction season.

SELECTING THIS YEAR’S LINEUP

When it came time to choose the four wineries that would participate in this inaugural event, Dio's selections were deeply personal and strategic. Having built relationships with these producers over our years of wine adventures, she knew exactly which winemakers could be trusted to “bring the goods.”

First, she reached out to Michael Kennedy at Fraîche Wine Group (someone we'd gotten to know over the years and later even invested with), and his response was immediate and enthusiastic: "This is amazing news,” he replied. “Congrats on this!!! Thank you so much for thinking of us. We'd be honored. Please count us in!" Michael quickly confirmed that either he or winemaker Marc Gagnon would personally attend the luncheon.

The next conversation with Talley Vineyards was just as warm and encouraging. After Dio called Brian Talley to discuss the opportunity, his email response was characteristically straightforward: "Dio—thanks for the detail on this. I will plan to attend." The simplicity and no-nonsense nature of of his reply spoke volumes about the solid and mutually respectful relationship she and I had built with him after spending time together on several occasions — both during his visits to Atlanta and during our experiences at his family's winery in California.

The lineup was completed by Patz & Hall Wines and T. Berkley Wines, both California producers with strong reputations and interesting histories. The choice of venue was equally thoughtful. Local Three had been a reliable, longtime supporter of the Wine Auction, and Chef Chris Hall’s team's eclectic, locally sourced approach to cuisine would offer the perfect backdrop for showcasing each of these diverse wines.

PATZ & HALL BUBBLES TO START THE DAY

When the big day came, the luncheon began stylishly with a reception outside Local Three. Benefactors were immediately greeted with glasses of 2017 Patz & Hall Brut Sparkling Wine. I scored this wine 92 points for its light, refreshing character, and felt that it provided an auspicious start to our afternoon. The outdoor setting created a relaxed, social atmosphere as guests mingled and reconnected before the formal program began.

While I recognized many familiar faces, and was able to catch up with several good friends who’d joined us for the occasion, I was delighted as well to have the chance to meet and engage with Lauren's dad for the first time. Many of the benefactors we've had the pleasure of getting to know over our years with the Wine Auction were in attendance, creating that warm sense of community that makes these events so refreshing.

Now, this wasn't just any sparkling wine we were all enjoying — it represented a true passion project for James Hall, the founder of Patz & Hall. As Stephen Tebb, the winery's winemaker and production manager, would later explain, Hall's dedication to creating an authentic “traditional method” sparkling wine had led him to Champagne on multiple occasions. While there, he studied closely with masters of the craft and even acquired vintage winemaking equipment (with which to ensure the highest quality production possible in their endeavors).

LOCAL THREE'S WINE AUCTION TRANSFORMATION

Once the reception concluded, we moved inside Local Three, which many attendees immediately realized had undergone a noticeable transformation just for this luncheon. The restaurant had been meticulously prepared for our benefactor group, with elegant High Museum Wine Auction banners and promotional materials positioned throughout the space. Part of this polished presentation reflected Dio's art direction, as she — in close collaboration with graphic designer Jay Wilson (who’s been a wondeful sponsor of the High Museum for years) — had created the 2025 High Museum’s poster and visual identity. The tables were beautifully set with elegant place settings and thoughtfully placed programs detailing the afternoon’s menu and the various auction lots up for grabs.

What first caught my attention was the stirring display of wines that was positioned on the bar alongside gleaming rows of glassware. Bottles from all four participating wineries had been arranged in an enticing preview of what we'd soon be experiencing. Seeing the 2022 T. Berkley Chenin Blanc Norgard Vineyard, 2022 Talley Vineyards Pinot Noir San Luis Obispo Coast, and 2021 La Caccia di San Giovanni Toscana IGT lined up together created a tangible sense of anticipation for what lay ahead.

The atmosphere was festive and refined without being stuffy — exactly the tone Dio and Lauren had hoped to achieve. Tables were strategically arranged to encourage conversation, and the natural light streaming through Local Three's large windows created a warm, welcoming vibe.

OPENING REMARKS: THE TONE IS SET

Once all the benefactors had been seated, High Museum Director Rand Suffolk took the microphone to officially welcome everyone to this first-ever Wine Harvest Luncheon. Suffolk emphasized the annual auction's crucial role in the museum’s well-being, stating "The Wine Auction at large is certainly the most important fundraising for the museum." He further assured supporters that, "We're going to use everything that you donate to us as creatively and responsibly as we can to really become the museum that Atlanta deserves."

Following Suffolk's welcome, Caroline Maddox, the High's new deputy director of philanthropy, graciously acknowledged the collective effort that made the luncheon possible.

BOTH CO-CHAIRS TAKE CENTER STAGE

When Dio and Lauren stepped up to address the room, I felt a surge of pride at watching my wife shine in this leadership role. "Good afternoon. Thank you! Happy Friday!" Dio began warmly, introducing herself and Lauren as the 2025 Wine Auction co-chairs. As they welcomed the benefactors and introduced each winemaker, Dio noted "We truly appreciate your dedication to crafting incredible wines, and we're so fortunate to savor the fruits of your labor."

Check out the video below for everyone’s complete opening remarks:

Afterwards, Lauren announced the afternoon's auction component, explaining that several exciting lots would be available to support the Museum's mission. Her remarks set the stage for the unique and valuable experiences that would be offered up later in the program to the highest (no pun intended) bidders.

HOW OUR “WELCOME POUR” CAME TO BE

As Stephen Tebb took the microphone to discuss the 2017 Patz & Hall Brut Sparkling Wine, his presentation provided fascinating insight into the dedication behind the bottles we’d all just been sharing..

"Having gotten to know James Hall for the past couple of years, you get an understanding of his passion,” Tebb explained. “A sparkling wine wasn't part of his business plan. It was a project of passion for him, so he spent a lot of time going to Champagne (and) talking to many, many folks there."

Hall’s dedication to authenticity was remarkable. He insisted on utilizing traditional method production, meaning that secondary fermentation had occurred in the same bottles served to us that afternoon. But the most charming detail was how they’d acquired their tirage bottling equipment: It seems James Hall had discovered a small, vintage unit during one of his trips to Champagne and somehow he managed to transport it back to California for use in their facility.

"The first time I saw this thing was really fun," Stephen recalled with obvious affection, highlighting the hands-on, artisanal approach that makes small producers so special. Their substantial efforts to maintain complete control over the entire sparkling wine process, rather than outsourcing any of that process to larger outfits, demonstrated the almost devotional commitment to quality that has come to define truly exceptional winemaking.

SARAH BRAY’S GEORGIA HOMECOMING — BEARING WORLD-CLASS WINE

As we moved to our first course, a beautifully prepared cauliflower dish, we were introduced to the 2022 T. Berkley Chenin Blanc Norgard Vineyard, which earned 90 points from me for its medium tanginess and excellent pairing with the food.

Sarah Bray's introduction was particularly meaningful for the Atlanta audience. "We are a husband and wife team behind T. Berkley wines,” she said. “But most importantly for today, I am a hometown girl. I grew up right around the corner. Chef Hall's wife was my chemistry and physics teacher at Pace Academy here."

Her connection to the High Museum Wine Auction ran deep. "I grew up looking forward every March when the tents would come to town for the wine auction. I had the great fortune of having access from a young age to winemakers as they came to town. I loved all of these wonderful people who would just be the big hearted souls who came here... I credit the High Museum Wine Auction with my 15-plus years in this industry."

Sarah explained T. Berkley's Loire-inspired philosophy, which is focused on Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc with an emphasis on sustainable farming practices and expressive terroir. The Norgard Vineyard, located in Mendocino, features old vine fruit from the 1980s planted on rootstock designed for longevity. The wine spends two years aging in concrete eggs with just a touch of new oak. The result? The creation of wines with "gorgeous acidity and tension in the fruit."

Her personal journey through the wine industry — training in New Zealand and Austria, working for prestigious producers like Littorai and Kosta Browne — had led to this moment: Returning home to share her wines with the community that had inspired her career.

BRIAN TALLEY'S MULTI-GENERATIONAL FARM STORY

Our second course featured a phenomenal beet preparation that paired beautifully with the 2022 Talley Vineyards Pinot Noir San Luis Obispo Coast, which I rated at 92 points. This was a particularly meaningful moment for me, as I had built a strong relationship with Brian overmultiple encounters — including memorable 50th birthday experiences earlier in the year at his family's operation. That visit and celebration included both an intimate dinner with Brian and his mother Rosemary (which you can read about here), and a comprehensive tour and tasting at Talley Vineyards (check out my blog post about that visit here).

Brian's presentation was both informative and heartfelt, as he shared the remarkable story of his family's four-generation farming operation. It had initially begun as a vegetable farm in 1948 before transitioning to wine grapes in 1982. "We are situated in the coolest wine growing region in the state of California, which makes it very ideally suited for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir," Brian explained, noting their company’s philosophy of “minimal intervention” winemaking. "I hope you appreciate just the purity and the transparency that you taste in this wine," he offered.

Check out the video below for Brian's complete presentation about Talley Vineyards and their farm-to-table auction experience:

BORGO BONELLI'S RESPECTFUL APPROACH TO THE LEGACY OF ANCIENT LAND

Our final wine pairing featured the 2021 La Caccia di San Giovanni Toscana IGT, which earned 93 points from me and created — alongside an expertly prepared rice dish — what I considered the most spectacular pairing of the afternoon. This wine holds special significance for Dio and I, as we are both investors in Borgo Bonelli, the historic Tuscan estate that produces La Caccia wines, (which you can read about here). Our investment represents our commitment to supporting sustainable winemaking practices at this remarkable property.

Michael Kennedy's presentation beautifully captured the combination of passion and a sense of duty that are essentially required when owning an historic Tuscan estate. He explained that Borgo Bonelli is located in Central Tuscany, west of Siena and south of San Gimignano, in a region historically known for Sangiovese. The estate's incredible 900-year history makes them the first non-family owners in nearly a millennium, which he described as both a privilege and an enormous responsibility.

Michael shared details about the 133-acre estate's diverse terroir, composed of limestone, clay, sand, and granite soils. This terroir virtually demands a respectful approach to winemaking. He emphasized their philosophy of honoring not only the land but what was already long established there when they took over the property. As opposed to reflexively imposing California winemaking techniques upon this historic plot of Tuscan land.

The team's commitment to authenticity extends to their winemaking approach, and Michael explained how he, winemaker Marc, and Italian winemaker Nicola Berti have focused on expressing the unique characteristics of Tuscan terroir. They want to showcase what Sangiovese brings to the blend while exploring how Cabernet Sauvignon performs in this specific Tuscan environment.

"What Mark, myself and Nicola Berti, our Italian winemaker, want to do is we want to really bring in that super high tone, Sangiovese to level this out,” he avowed to the gathered guests. “(We want) to bring some freshness, and then really explore what Cabernet Sauvignon does in Tuscany."

Their restraint in the usage of oak — about 50% new oak compared to 100% for Napa Cabernets — reflected their commitment to expressing the Tuscan terroir rather than imposing a traditionally “California” approach. Michael's excitement about the upcoming 2026 hotel that’s being opened on their property added another dimension to the Borgo Bonelli story. One that portends future opportunities for serious wine lovers to experience this historic estate firsthand.

THE BIDDING BEGINS

The meal concluded with a beautiful and delicious dessert course, and one that provided the perfect transition to the afternoon's auction component. Lauren offered an opportunity for guests to support the Museum through a $200 donation. That would see them entered them into a drawing for a valuable High Museum Circles membership and wine trio — a creative way to engage benefactors while supporting the institution's mission.

As the formal presentations concluded, the atmosphere shifted to the exciting auction portion of the event. Five carefully curated lots were presented, each offering unique experiences that would ideally appeal to different types of wine enthusiasts.

Lot 1: Patz & Hall Winery featured a Sonoma escape that included a two-night stay at The Lodge at Sonoma Resort, a private tasting with founder James Hall, a 12-bottle wine selection, and dinner at Michael Mina's Wit & Wisdom. In total, this was valued at $2,000.

Lot 2: T. Berkley Wines offered a globally inspired in-home tasting for up to eight people, featuring their California wines alongside bottles from their international travels — collectively valued at $2,000.

Lot 3: Talley Vineyards presented the ultimate farm-to-table experience: harvesting produce at Talley Farms, cooking lunch with the Talley family paired with wines from Brian's personal cellar, plus signed magnums and cookbook — which was valued at $1,000.

Lot 4: Borgo Bonelli showcased a Napa Valley getaway for ten (!) at the luxurious Yount Leap Estate, including a VIP cheese tasting at the Fraîche Cheese Shed and concierge planning — which was valued at an impressive $11,500.

Dio and I also contributed to the auction effort, donating a case of the 2021 La Caccia Toscana Rosso that we had brought to share. The wine was so well-received during lunch that Michael generously donated an additional case on the spot, creating two separate lots for this exceptional Tuscan blend.

She and I were then thrilled to be the successful bidders for the Patz & Hall lot, securing our October 2025 Sonoma adventure that will undoubtedly provide plenty of material for future blog posts!

ONE FOR THE BOOKS!

As the afternoon wound down, its success was tangible. The event raised $27,000 for the High Museum's exhibitions and educational programs while building excitement for the March 2025 auction. The Wine Harvest Luncheon had successfully established itself as a new tradition that honors the Wine Auction's legacy while creating a more inclusive approach to auction season.

It was a pleasure to be there to watch this event come into its own, and a treat to know that Dio played a key role in launching such an ambitious undertaking. I couldn’t be more proud of her!