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

As I watched my wife Dio beam with pride while surveying the beautifully set tables at LocalThree Kitchen & Bar, I couldn't help but feel immense excitement for what was about to 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 started as the High Museum team's vision to combine their traditional separate luncheons had materialized into something truly special: an intimate gathering featuring four exceptional winemakers, an inspired multi-course meal, and auction lots that would provide exciting opportunities for benefactors to support the Museum's mission.

Standing outside LocalThree just before the luncheon began, I felt that familiar flutter of anticipation that comes with attending a truly special wine event. The autumn Atlanta weather was perfect, and seeing the High Museum banners and signage made it clear that this wasn't just another lunch – this was the official beginning of wine auction season!

THE YEAR-LONG COMMITMENT BEHIND THE SCENES

Shortly after the 2024 Wine Auction concluded in March, Dio was approached about serving as co-chair for the 2025 event alongside Lauren Reeves. As I wrote about in my earlier post about our 2024 Cultivation Trip here, both accepted this prestigious volunteer position, diving 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 numerous 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.

The High Museum team had made the strategic decision to discontinue the traditional separate Ladies' and Gentlemen's lunches that had been auction staples for years, instead creating this new Wine Harvest Luncheon that would welcome all benefactors together. Dio and Lauren worked closely with the team to help make this inaugural event successful, helping select exceptional wineries that would deliver both outstanding wines and compelling stories for this entirely fresh approach to auction season.

SELECTING THE 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 would deliver both exceptional wines and compelling stories.

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

The conversation with Talley Vineyards was equally warm. 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 of his commitment spoke volumes about the relationship we'd built after spending time with Brian 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 compelling stories. The venue choice was equally thoughtful – LocalThree had been a longtime supporter of the Wine Auction, and Chef Chris Hall's team's eclectic, locally-sourced approach to cuisine would provide the perfect backdrop for showcasing these diverse wines.

PATZ & HALL BUBBLES TO START THE DAY

The luncheon began in perfect style with a reception outside LocalThree, where benefactors were immediately greeted with glasses of 2017 Patz & Hall Brut Sparkling Wine. I scored this wine 92 points for its light, refreshing character that provided an excellent start to our afternoon. The outdoor setting created a relaxed, social atmosphere as guests mingled and reconnected before the formal program began.

Among the familiar faces, I was delighted to meet Lauren's dad for the first time and catch up with several good friends who had joined us for the occasion. 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 special.

This wasn't just any sparkling wine we were enjoying – it represented a true passion project for James Hall, Patz & Hall's founder. 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 on multiple trips to Champagne, where he studied with masters of the craft and even acquired vintage equipment to ensure the highest quality production.

LOCALTHREE'S WINE AUCTION TRANSFORMATION

Once the reception concluded, we moved inside LocalThree, where the transformation was immediately apparent. The restaurant had been meticulously prepared for our group of benefactors, with elegant High Museum Wine Auction banners and promotional materials positioned throughout the space. Part of this polished presentation reflected Dio's work art directing the creation of the 2025 High Museum poster and visual identity, collaborating closely with Jay Wilson, a graphic designer who has been a wonderful sponsor of the High Museum for years. The tables were beautifully set with elegant place settings and thoughtfully placed programs that detailed the menu and auction lots.

What truly caught my attention was the impressive wine display positioned on the bar alongside gleaming rows of glassware – bottles from all four participating wineries arranged in an enticing preview of what we'd 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 an immediate sense of anticipation for the journey ahead.

The atmosphere was festive and elegant 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 LocalThree's large windows created a warm, welcoming environment.

OPENING REMARKS: SETTING THE TONE

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 wine auction's crucial role, stating "The wine auction at large is certainly the most important fundraising for the museum," and 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 collaborative effort that made the luncheon possible.

THE CO-CHAIRS TAKE CENTER STAGE

When Dio and Lauren stepped up to address the room, I felt a surge of pride watching my wife 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 all of their complete opening remarks:

Afterwards, Lauren also announced the afternoon's auction component, explaining that several exciting lots would be available for bidding to support the Museum's mission – setting the stage for the special experiences that would be offered later in the program.

THE STORY BEHIND OUR WELCOME POUR

As Stephen Tebb took the microphone to discuss the 2017 Patz & Hall Brut Sparkling Wine we had been enjoying, his presentation provided fascinating insight into the dedication behind the bottle in our glasses.

"Having gotten to know James Hall for the past couple of years, you get an understanding of his passion. 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 talking to many, many folks there."

The dedication to authenticity was remarkable. Hall insisted on traditional method production, with secondary fermentation occurring in the same bottles being served to us that afternoon. But the most charming detail was how they acquired their tirage bottling equipment – discovering a small, vintage unit during one of Hall's trips to Champagne and somehow managing to transport it back to California for use in their production.

"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. The effort to maintain complete control over the sparkling wine process, rather than outsourcing to larger facilities, demonstrated the commitment to quality that defines exceptional winemaking.

SARAH BRAY RETURNS HOME WITH 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. 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+ years in this industry."

Sarah explained T. Berkley's Loire-inspired philosophy, focusing 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, creating 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 of 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 stunning beet preparation that paired beautifully with the 2022 Talley Vineyards Pinot Noir San Luis Obispo Coast, which I rated 92 points. This was a particularly meaningful moment for me, having built a strong relationship with Brian through multiple encounters – including memorable 50th birthday experiences at his family's operations earlier in the year that featured 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, sharing the remarkable story of his family's four-generation farming operation that began 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 minimal intervention winemaking philosophy: "I hope you appreciate just the purity and the transparency that you taste in this wine."

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 ANCIENT LAND

Our final wine pairing featured the 2021 La Caccia di San Giovanni Toscana IGT, which earned 93 points from me and created what I considered the most spectacular pairing of the afternoon with the expertly prepared rice dish. This wine holds special significance for us, as Dio and I are 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 900-year-old property.

Michael Kennedy's presentation beautifully captured the responsibility and passion behind owning a historic Tuscan estate. He explained how 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 remarkable 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 that require a respectful approach to winemaking. He emphasized their philosophy of honoring the land and what was already established when they took over, rather than imposing California winemaking techniques on this historic Tuscan property.

The team's commitment to authenticity extends to their winemaking approach, with Michael explaining how he, winemaker Marc, and Italian winemaker Nicola Berti focus 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 to bring some freshness, and then really explore what Cabernet Sauvignon does in Tuscany."

The restraint in oak usage – about 50% new oak compared to 100% for Napa Cabernets – reflected their commitment to expressing the Tuscan terroir rather than imposing California techniques. Michael's excitement about the upcoming 2026 hotel opening on the property added another dimension to the Borgo Bonelli story, promising future opportunities for wine lovers to experience this historic estate firsthand.

SWEET ENDINGS AND AUCTION EXCITEMENT

The meal concluded with an elegant dessert course, providing the perfect transition to the afternoon's auction component. Lauren introduced the opportunity for guests to support the Museum through a $200 donation that would enter them into a drawing for a 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 appeal to different types of wine enthusiasts.

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

Lot 2: T. Berkley Wines offered a global-inspired in-home tasting for eight people, featuring their California wines alongside bottles from their international travels – 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 – valued at $1,000.

Lot 4: Borgo Bonelli showcased a Napa Valley getaway for ten at the luxurious Yount Leap Estate, including VIP cheese tasting at the Fraîche Cheese Shed and concierge planning – valued at $11,500.

We also contributed to the auction effort, donating a case of the 2021 La Caccia Toscana Rosso 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.

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

THE WINE HARVEST LUNCHEON'S SUCCESSFUL DEBUT

As the afternoon wound down, the 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.