Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Crowd drawn to World’s Largest Wine Bottle

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2004 | 8:17 a.m.

Charity never tasted better than last week's World's Largest Wine Bottle Tour at Morton's The Steakhouse, an event to celebrate Morton's 25th anniversary and generate funding for the "Share Our Strength -- Fight Against Hunger" program.

Jointly presented by Beringer Vineyards and Morton's, the cocktail-hour gathering gave all a chance to view the 4-1/2-foot bottle and learn how it was created and then sent out on a national tour prior to its eventual auction by Sotheby's New York. All of the the proceeds benefitted the fight against hunger in America.

At the Las Vegas stop of the 27-city tour, the reception to honor Maximus -- as the bottle has been named -- included a brief video on the multiple attempts to create the enormous bottle and fill it with 2001 Beringer Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, equivalent to more than 170 standard bottles.

Happily sipping from the Beringer wines and enjoying an array of Morton's passed hors d'oeuvres and serving station offerings were Sig Rogich and Lee Haney (Rogich Communications Group); Larry Ruvo, Tony Goitia and Bob Fowler (Southern Wine & Spirits of Nevada); Lynn Malloy (Southwest Gas); attorney John Curtas; Dr. Larry Allen; Danny White and Brandon and Michelle Buttell.

Among those who posed for souvenir photos during the party were Realtors Lawrence Britt and Billy Joe Arthur; Elaine Waxler and Joel Jarvis (Kaercher Insurance); Pamela Mullins (Las Vegas Valley Water District); and Dianah Mukulski (Bayshore Financial Mortgage).

Epicurean expands

Recent festivities in Northern Nevada marked the first effort to replicate the splendor of the Nevada Restaurant/Nevada Hotel & Lodging Association's Epicurean Affair, previously held only in Las Vegas.

Epicurean Affair Lake Tahoe was also an occasion to raise funds for hospitality industry scholarships (for any certified hospitality training program or school) for students across Nevada. The Aug. 31 event at Harvey's Lake Tahoe resort was an ideal setting with late-summer weather and the beauty of this glacier lake drawing many Southern Nevada members and guests.

Held in conjunction with a trade show, scholarship golf tournament and dinner cruise, the Epicurean Affair was an evening to sample and savor fine foods, wines and liquors in the most pleasant of surroundings. More than 600 guests spread through Harvey's Emerald Bay ballroom and out to the adjacent gardens and pool area. Following the model designed in Las Vegas, a special "Bar Alley" was created for the generous pourings of speciality drinks, new beverages and other delights, with sparkling showgirls and nubile maidens providing an added bit of glamour to the evening.

Elaborate cooking stations included Caesars Tahoe's Stone Street Grille, Adiamo and others from the Reno Hilton and many regional eateries and resorts. Southern Wine & Spirits of Nevada and DeLuca/Silver State Liquors were sponsors.

Making the pleasant trek north for the Tahoe event were Dale Valenti (Boulevard Bar & Grille), Jonathan Boulware (Primm Resorts), Erhan Kor and Katy Heffner (Four Seasons), Dr. Rob and Diana Troell, Robert Ansara (Ricardo's), Tia Rhodes (Flamingo Las Vegas), Ronnie Highsmith (Barbary Coast), Sam Facchini (Metro Pizza), Lorri Davidson (Southwest Gas), Brad Brennan (Commander's Palace) and Rodney Ward (Cintas). Others enjoying the mountain lake conference were Dr. Hans and Amanda Berndes, Renee Evers, Ruth Mangano, Robert Nichols, Marvin Price and Gary Packer.

First String

"Summerlin String Festival: An Evening of Youth on Strings" was jointly presented by the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District and the Las Vegas Chamber Music Society. Held Sept. 1 at the Summerlin Public Library, the program of classical music was a showcase of student talents in solo performance.

Studying year-round with both private instructors and school programs those performing included Leah Marimo Woods (violin), Matthew Heenan (cello), Dominique Jackson (piano), D.J. Galante (guitar), Caleb Salgado (double bass), Columban Heo (cello) and Tena Schizuma (violin), in addition to Travis Lohman (piano), Jeremy Rhizor (violin), Paulina Haduong (violin) and Danielle Swain (violin).

Ranging in age from 11-18 years, these accomplished musicians have been nurtured by musician-instructors Mary Straub, Gary Carr, Martha Sparks, Roger Bushell, Shakeh Ghoukasian, Oscar Carrescia, Robin Reinarz, Moonlight Tran and Muriel Adler. Guests seen at the free concert were Paul Hesselink (Nevada School of the Arts), Linda Parker, Harmon Lewis, Rosalie Cusimano, Lorraine Thompson, Theda Frazer, Esther Greenberg and Daniel Nix.

In Black & White

Over the top and certain to be well attended, Aid for AIDS of Nevada's (AFAN) annual Black & White Party will be held at 8 p.m. on Sept. 18 at the Skin Pool Lounge inside the Palms. All proceeds benefit members of the Southern Nevada community living with HIV/AIDS.

Tickets are $40, or a $40 grocery gift-card donation, with advance tickets through AFAN's offices at 2200 Rancho Drive (at West Sahara Avenue), as well as at Stuff inside the Palms and at the door.

Guests are encouraged to wear their most sexy, wild or creative black-and-white attire. Costume contests prizes will be awarded and a spectacular raffle offered during the evening.

Founded in 1984, AFAN is the the oldest and largest AIDS service organization in Nevada.

Funds raised at the Black & White Party will provide direct client services, among them food programs and prevention/education outreach. For information, call 383-AFAN or visit www.afanlv.org.