Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate Fund
Combats Cancer and Illiteracy with Daniel Boulud
$1.3 Million Raised for Charity at “Best of the Best”
Gastronomic Extravaganza

Washington, DC, June 6, 2006 – Robert M. Parker, Jr.’s Wine Advocate Fund for Philanthropy (WAF) launched its Inaugural Legendary 100 Point Wine Weekend on June 2nd and 3rd in Washington, DC, netting over $1.3 Million for charity. The proceeds, raised at a $30,000 a plate dinner for 22, a $5,000 a plate dinner for 150, and a charity auction, are being given to find a cure for cancer and to provide pre-schools for at-risk kids.

The extravaganza featured the “best of the best,” bringing together the best chefs in the world, the best wines since 1834, the two top wine critics in the world (Robert Parker and Pierre Rovani), and the greatest wine lovers. The goal, to make Washington, DC the center of the food and wine world for a weekend in order to raise money for two great causes, was a tremendous success, netting over $1.3 Million.

The two night celebration began on Friday, June 2nd at the Residence of the Ambassador of France where His Excellency and Madame Jean-David Levitte hosted an intimate $30,000 a plate dinner for 22 prepared by Daniel Boulud and his team from world-famous DANIEL’s in New York City.  Guests flew in from as far away as Denmark to delight in Boulud’s cuisine as well as the benchmark setting wines, including 1900 Margaux in magnum, 1947 Petrus in magnum, 1947 Le Gay in magnum, 1961 Latour-à-Pomerol in magnum, 1989 Montrachet from the Domaine de la Romanée-Conti in Methuselah (6 liters), 1985 La Tâche from the Domaine de la Romanée-Conti in Methuselah (6 liters), multiple vintages of Château d’Yquem, and 1834 Barbeito Madeira.

On Saturday, June 3rd, the celebration continued at Halcyon House in Washington’s historic Georgetown where 150 philanthropists enjoyed eleven 100-point wines and an eight course, $5,000 a plate dinner prepared by world famous chefs Daniel Bouloud (DANIEL, NYC), Jeffrey Buben (Vidalia and Bistro Bis, Washington, DC), Alain Dutournier (Carré des Feuillants, Paris), Nancy Oakes (Boulevard, San Francisco), Michel Richard (Citronelle, Washington, DC), Frank Ruta (Palena, Washington, DC), and Eric Ziebold (CityZen, Washington, DC), with wine service provided by an incredible cast of sommeliers who flew into Washington from as far away as Seattle.

Throughout both evenings, expert wine commentary was provided by world-famous critics Robert M. Parker, Jr. and Pierre-Antoine Rovani.  A live auction, presided by auctioneer extraordinaire Jamie Ritchie, Senior Vice President of Sotheby’s, included wine trips to France and California, exclusive dinners donated by world-class Chefs, bottles of wine from rock star Dave Matthews’ personal cellar, and a dinner for 20 at DANIEL’s with Bob Parker and Pierre Rovani that sold for $250,000. 

Robert Parker commented that “On this weekend nobody on earth dined as well as this group of wonderful philanthropists who came together to help eradicate cancer and improve literacy for Washington’s at-risk children.  We are truly blessed to be able to give back in this way.  This was indeed the best of the best united to help great local and international causes.”

The beneficiaries of the Inaugural Wine Weekend are the Dana-Farber Caner Institute, which is furthering world-class research into finding cures for cancer, and the AppleTree Institute, which is dedicated to critical early learning and literacy for at-risk preschool children in Washington, DC.

For more information on the Wine Advocate Fund, the Legendary Wine Weekend, how to donate, and for a detailed list of wines served, visit www.wineadvocatefund.org or e-mail info@wineadvocatefund.org

Contact:
Wine Advocate Fund for Philanthropy
Rebecca Sanders, 703-989-9399

Press Release posted on Yahoo Finance