Central Coast Wine Classic

The Central Coast Wine Classic is coming up the second week in July in Avila Beach, CA.  This annual charity food and wine spectacular raises money to help a number of non-profit organizations in and around the Central Coast of California.  While there are several dinners, wine tastings, seminars and other events in addition to the day long wine auction, we will present here a few of the highlights.  Additional details can be found at the Central Coast Wine Classic website (www.centralcoastwineclassic.org).

The Dinner at Hearst Castle in San Simeon

One of the most magical events of the CCWC is their gourmet dinner at Hearst Castle in San Simeon on Thursday evening.  It is a black tie affair and it promises to give you an evening you will remember for a lifetime.

Understand that the Hearst Castle (now a property of the California State Park system) only allows two dinners of this kind every year.  One is for the Central Coast Wine Classic and the other is for the Friends of the Hearst Castle, so it is an exceedingly rare and special event.

The event begins with a champagne reception around the famous outdoor Neptune Pool, which is one of the most well known icons of the castle grounds.  Portrait photographers are on hand to take portraits with the Neptune Pool serving as a dramatic background.

Champagne Reception at the Neptune Pool

Portrait of Jodie and I at Hearst Castle

Those who wish to do so can take a very special tour that takes you into places that regular visitors to the Castle can hardly see.

The dinner is nothing short of a culinary extravaganza.  Renowned Chefs from across California provide a six course dinner fit for a king with matching wines served by a small army of sommeliers.

Can anyone count the number of glasses on those tables?

Dessert or Fine Art Sculpture?  The entire piece is made of Chocolate.

One never has to worry about driving after enjoying all of that wine.  The entire party is delivered to the Castle on luxury bus liners and returned to the central hotel after the event is concluded.

VIP Outdoor Winery Dinner Dance

This outdoor dinner and dance, held on Friday evening at the Avila Beach Country Club features the wines of several central coast winemakers artfully paired with the culinary creations of one of the event's celebrity Chefs.

Archie McLaren - Leader of the CCWC at the VIP Dinner

Master Chef Frank Ostini with Ritchie and Jodie

Can you feel the rhythm

Rare & Fine Wine & Lifestyle Auction
Silent Auction and Luncheon

Saturday brings the crowd back to the Avila Beach Country Club for the main event, the Auction.  Silent auction lots and live auction lots keep patrons busy all day long.  A gourmet luncheon is presented through much of the afternoon, again created by one of the visiting celebrity Chefs.  Patrons are treated to a literal wall of wine, as pourers constantly mill about the room ( a bright yellow and white tent ) pouring from a wide selection of the Central Coast's best wines.

Auction lots range from wines of all types, vintages and sizes (here you can even bid on rare huge 3L, 5L and 9L bottles ), lifestyle lots such as luncheons, dinners and international trips and many other things to amaze and amuse you.  You can see the full range of auction lots online at the CCWC website.

Before the Auction gets underway

Morning pastries for early arrivers

Bid Spotters

Jim Glines - Head of the spotters

One of the Auction Lots

Many of the auction lots feature hand painted 9L bottles and are
accompanied by the artwork that is reproduced on the bottle
and yes, that bottle holds the equivalent of a full case of wine.

The very beloved and recently departed Auctioneer, David Reynolds
He will be deeply missed.

Jodie & Ritchie with Celebrity Chef Emeril Lagasse

Jodie and I with some Vineyard Art by Joanne Beaule Ruggles

Reserve Wine Tasting

Sunday brings the event to a close with the Reserve Wine Tasting with 50 notable California wines complimented with music and hors d'oeuvres.  All and all, the Central Coast Wine Classic is a wonderful way to spend a high-powered long weekend enjoying great wine, incredible food and wonderful friendships.  Won't you join us this year?

Central Coast Wine Classic

Thursday, July 10, 2014 - Sunday, July 13, 2014

Avila Beach, CA

Central Coast Wine Classic Website: http://www.centralcoastwineclassic.org/

Venice Family Clinic Art Walk - 2014

The Venice Family Clinic held its 35th annual Art Walk auction at Google's offices in Venice last Sunday.  The event is a large silent auction of fine art combined with studio tours and architectural tours in and around Venice.  The actual event on Sunday features over 300 works of art for sale, live entertainment and a street full of food trucks for patrons to choose from.

Approaching the event - Sign in tables

Venice Family Clinic is one of the largest free medical clinics in the country with 10 facilities serving Venice, Santa Monica and surrounding communities on the west side of Los Angeles.  Their annual Art Walk is their 2nd largest fundraiser, contributing over $600,000 to their annual operating fund.

For the last three years, the Art Walk has been held at Google's Venice offices in the famed "Binocular Office Building" that was originally the home of the Chait Day advertising agency.

Google's Binocular Office Building

Works of art are on display in two areas of Google's offices, an entry corridor and a large hall with sculpture on display in an outside area near the performance area.

Large crowds mill through the exhibit, placing their bids on forms posted next to each work.  The Art Walk is free for the public to attend and each guest is given their own unique bidding number upon entering the event.

My wife Jodie has worked at the event for the last 15 years or so and her cousin Kimberle King has assisted for the last 5 years or more.

Jodie with friend and fellow collector Fala Powers

Kimberle King happily at work

The event included live entertainment from 6 or 7 bands during the course of the day.  Two bands, featured here wound up the festivities at the end of the day.

Little Galaxies

 

Alexandra and The Starlight Band

Some sculpture among the music

I think this was part of the sale

The audience featured fans young and old who enjoyed the music and the delightful pre-summer afternoon, which was a huge relief after scorching 110+ days earlier in the week.

An outside patio adjacent to the musical entertainment area offered guest a place to sit and enjoy beer and wine or maybe even a game of lawn chess.

Food trucks were located along the street behind the offices where patrons could grab a bite to eat from a wide variety of different styles of cuisine.

At the end of the auction, when all the patrons were ushered out of the building so the sales could be tabulated, they were greeted with a bevy of sweets to help them bide their time.

Finally, to end the event, patrons paid for their art purchases, had it wrapped up if desired and out the door.  A very successful day!

For more information, refer to the following links below.

Venice Family Clinic Art Walk: http://theveniceartwalk.org/

Venice Family Clinic: http://www.venicefamilyclinic.org/

A gallery of photos from the event: http://www.jimrea.com/zenphoto/VFC_Artwalk_2014

Portraits of the Fallen Memorial

As we approach the Memorial Day holiday, I would like to take a moment to talk about a project that a friend of mine, artist Joan Horsfall Young is involved with.  Joan is one of the organizers of the Portraits of the Fallen Memorial which is a project of the Pasadena Art Council's EMERGE Fiscal Sponsorship Program.  According to their mission statement, the purpose of the program is to commemorate the sacrifice of those American military service members, from California, who have died while serving our country during the Afghanistan and Iraq wars.

Local artists are engaged to produce portraits of fallen soldiers from California and those portraits are transferred to porcelain tiles which are presented in an exhibit that travels to communities around the USA.

Joan sent around a notice today that the Portraits of the Fallen Memorial is on display at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library & Museum through July 6, 2014.

Artist Joan Horsfall Young with Nixon Library Supervising Curator Olivia Anastasiadis on opening day

Exhibit Marquee

Major Ricardo Crocker by Joan Horsfall Young

Portraits on Display

This is a beautiful concept to honor our fallen soldiers.  Thanks to all of the artists who have contributed their wonderful talents and to all of the many museum personnel and others who make it possible for this exhibit to be seen around the country.

For additional information:

Portraits of the Fallen Memorial Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/PortraitsOfTheFallenMemorial

Portraits of the Fallen Memorial Website: www.PortraitsoftheFallenMemorial.org

Joan Horsfall Young's Artist Website: http://www.joanhorsfallyoung.com/Welcome.html

Have a great Memorial Day holiday.

Jim Rea

Sotheby's International Realty

Pacific Palisades

Goodbye KW, Hello Sotheby's

I moved from Keller Williams to Sotheby's International Realty this week which will involve, among other things, a whole lot of work rebranding everything that I touch in my real estate practice.

I have had a wonderful time during the last four years at Keller Williams and I leave many friends whom I look forward to working with in the future.

Working in the luxury markets on the west side of Los Angeles is a challenging task where clients are increasingly focused on a select number of powerful luxury brands.  In addition,  Jodie and I regularly travel around the country attending art shows and charity wine auctions where we have developed may long-lasting friendships and relationships.  Because of those relationships around the country,  I increasingly have the opportunity to assist my friends and colleagues in luxury markets far afield of this local home base.  Another factor is the strength of Sotheby's International Realty's international network of associates and their large base of international clientele.  To successfully sell top luxury homes in today's market, it is increasingly important to be able to tap into a truly world-wide marketplace of buyers in order to stimulate sufficient demand for these properties.  The strength of Sotheby's International Realty's brand in the fine wine, fine art, and international luxury real estate presented a compelling reason for me to consider taking the leap.

I am very much looking forward to working with the international team at Sotheby's International Realty and will do my best to keep you posted not only on my progress, but also on new developments in the dual worlds of wine and art that may be of interest to you.

My new office - right at the town square

Robert Taylor Ranch Up for Auction

The famous Robert Taylor Ranch, a 112 acre ranch with an 11,700 SF main house and many other amenities up at the top of Mandeville Canyon is going on to the Auction block on Friday November 30th and some buyer will be lucky enough to acquire one of the largest estates on the west side of Los Angeles.  This is a No Reserve auction, meaning that the property WILL be sold to the highest bidder.

Concierge Auctions of New York City will conduct the auction of the property in cooperation with Marcie Hartley and Aaron Kirman of Hilton & Hyland, an affiliate of Christie's International Real Estate.

This is absolutely one of the most distinctive properties available in the country today and there is no question that buyers from around the world will be looking at this property.  I am attaching a brochure for the auction for your enjoyment.

The property will be auctioned on November 30th.  If you know anyone who might have serious interest in this property, I would be happy to work with you to arrange a visit at their convenience.

You can download the brochure from the link below.

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0BwkQFPaAN4zwMGlic0xMLXN0R2c

Here are a few photos for your enjoyment.