PRESS RELEASES
- Blackbird Vineyards, CHANEL Fine Jewelry, and XOJET Shine at the 2008 Auction Napa Valley
- A successful 2007 Harvest and Two New Vintage Releases
- A Record Price for Blackbird Vineyards Futures at the Annual Premiere Napa Valley Barrel Auction
- Blackbird Vineyards Welcomes Aaron Pott As Winegrower
- Blackbird Vineyards and XOJet Soar at 2007 Auction Napa Valley - 10 Case Barrel Lot of a Proprietary Bordeaux Blend Places in Top Five of More Than 100 Offerings
- Blackbird Vineyards Soars in its Second Year at the Annual Premiere Napa Valley Barrel Auction
- Blackbird, Ready For its Close Up
- Blackbird Vineyards Garners the Highest Bid of the Evening at the Feast of Eden Event
- Paul Leary Lands at Blackbird Vineyards
- Premiere Napa Valley Barrel Auction Raises Over $1.87 Million and Newcomer Blackbird Vineyards Spreads its Wings
PDFJune 9, 2008
BLACKBIRD VINEYARDS, CHANEL FINE JEWELRY COLLECTION, AND XOJET SHINE AT THE 2008 AUCTION NAPA VALLEY
Blackbird Vineyards collectively raises over $330,000 and its 10-case 2006 vintage barrel auction lot places 5th out of 128 Napa wineries
(Saint Helena, CA) - Wine lovers lifted their glasses and paddles this past weekend to raise an unprecedented $10.35 million at Auction Napa Valley - The American Wine Classic. The auction is one of the largest wine-focused charity auctions in the world and directly benefits healthcare, youth services, and affordable housing non-profits in the Napa Valley.
In its second year of participation in the auction, Blackbird Vineyards collectively raised an extraordinary $332,000. "We are thrilled by the enthusiastic support we received from auction attendees," states Blackbird Vineyards Proprietor Michael Polenske. "Our top tier barrel auction results over the last three years are a testament to the quality of Blackbird's terroir and to the talents of our winemaking team." Polenske continues, "the generosity of our strategic partners and friends allow us to create unobtainable auction lots that garner extraordinary bidding." The coveted lots from Blackbird that were on the auction block included a wine and fashion sojourn to Paris and the Napa Valley that raised $300,000 making it the 4th highest grossing lot, a 10-case lot of the 2006 vintage of Blackbird that had an impressive 5th place finish - selling for $30,250, and an E-Auction lot of one hand-etched 3.0L of 2005 Blackbird Vineyards Napa Valley Proprietary Red that sold for $2,100.
The brilliant wine and fashion excursion will begin with private jet transportation from New York to Paris on XOJET - the leading provider of global business aviation services. In Paris, guests will attend the spring 2009 CHANEL fashion show, receive a personal tour of the rarely seen, private Coco CHANEL apartment, and take pleasure in accommodations at the exclusive Plaza Athénéé Paris. In the Napa Valley, the winner will experience an unforgettable evening at Ma(i)sonry, the highly anticipated wine and design gallery opening in Yountville later this summer. An elegant dinner for eight will be prepared by a top Bay Area chef and enjoyed in a setting that is sophisticated, yet evokes the feel of a private home. Their wine and fashion journey is complete with a three year vertical collection of 2003 - 2005 double magnums from Blackbird Vineyards.
"Auction," as it is known, kicked off on Thursday night, June 5, 2008, and the valley was abuzz with vintner soirées. Blackbird Vineyards hosted a garden party along with Departures, Mandarin Oriental Hotels, Steinway Lyngdorf, and 30 leading Napa vintners at the Beaulieu Gardens estate in Rutherford.
The following evening, Blackbird Vineyards along with CHANEL Fine Jewelry Collection and Solstice Collection hosted 30 guests at "Indian Gap" - Solstice Collection's newest luxury estate in Napa Valley. Dinner was prepared by celebrated Executive Chef Mark Gordon from Terzo in San Francisco and paired alongside Blackbird Vineyards wines. This elegant gathering sparkled with a private viewing of the latest CHANEL Fine Jewelry Collection.
May 2008
BLACKBIRD VINEYARDS HAS REASON TO CELEBRATE
A successful 2007 Harvest and Two New Vintage Releases
(Saint Helena, CA) - Recognized as an ultra-premium producer of Pomerol-inspired wines, Blackbird Vineyards has proven in just three short vintages that Merlot-driven wines can compete with their French and American counterparts. With the fifth harvest behind them, the team at Blackbird Vineyards reflects on the unpredictable yet productive growing season of 2007. Winegrower Aaron Pott had to constantly adapt to the changing conditions in the vineyard, but in the end harvested some of the highest quality fruit Winemaker Sarah Gott has worked with since Blackbird Vineyards' inception in 2003. "With the lower yields and steady and mild temperatures, allowing for longer hang time, overall quality from the Blackbird vineyard is excellent. In 2007, wines are showing intensity of color and flavor, ripe tannin, and a seamless balance of sweetness and acidity," says Gott.
The 2007 growing season was one fraught with both challenges and successes. The year started out cold and dry; nighttime temperatures dropped into the single digits and a dry pattern continued into the season with only 60% of normal rainfall typically found in the valley. In addition, spring proved unseasonably warm and resulted in an early bud break. The low rainfall levels halted canopy production, but this production "intermission" allowed the Renteria Vineyard Management team the opportunity to further refine the fruit. The result: only the highest quality grapes were left on the vine.
Summer was temperate, until a heat spike around Labor Day interrupted the modest valley temperatures and provoked rumblings of an early harvest. Fears were laid to rest when temperatures subsided after a few days and remained mild until the late September harvest.
On September 29, 2007, harvest workers met for a "midnight harvest" of Blackbird's vineyards. Grapes were picked in the middle of the nightÑwhen the acids and brix levels in the grapes were at an optimum balance. "By harvesting at night," winegrower Aaron Pott says, "we ensure that the grapes are in a perfect condition for their transaction from vine row to winery sorting table." This nocturnal harvest served as Pott's formal welcome to the Blackbird Vineyards family.
February 26, 2008
A RECORD PRICE FOR BLACKBIRD VINEYARDS FUTURES AT THE ANNUAL PREMIERE NAPA VALLEY BARREL AUCTION
(Saint Helena, CA) - When the last gavel dropped to close the 12th annual Premiere Napa Valley wine auction on February 23, 2008, a record $2.2 million was raised for the Napa Valley Vintners. Blackbird Vineyards' five-case lot of an elegant Bordeaux blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon sold for $22,000 ($4,400 per case). Celebrating its fifth vintage in 2007, Blackbird produces appropriately balanced wines with grapes sourced from its own vineyard in the Oak Knoll District as well as notable vineyard estates in the Napa Valley.
"We are honored to be an integral part of the Napa Valley Vintner's efforts, and thrilled to have the bids that we are receiving in just our third year of participation in Premiere," states Proprietor Michael Polenske. "An eighth place positioning (out of 200 wineries) for us validates that the market appreciates the combined experience of the Blackbird winemaking team and their qualitative commitment to our artisan wines."
Together, Winemaker Sarah Gott and Winegrower Aaron Pott crafted a five-case lot, from the 2006 vintage, to produce a 50% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon blend for this singular event. Pott (previously of Quintessa and Chateau Troplong Mondot in St. Emillion, France) comments that the blend for this year's lot offers "aromatics of lush blueberry, black cherry, violets, and coffee. There is a noticeable weight in the mouth with soft tannins on the midpalate, dense texture and an expansive finish that mirrors the bouquet."
On the Friday prior to the auction, Polenske and Pott hosted an intimate luncheon and tasting - for key restaurateur, hotelier, and retailer guests from around the world - to offer a preview of its auction lot at Martin in St. Helena. The art and furnishings showroom provided a sublime setting for showcasing the 2006 barrel sample and the currently allocated 2005 vintage. Blackbird Vineyards released its acclaimed 2005 Napa Valley Proprietary Red in the fall of 2007 at a V.I.P. dinner, hosted by CHANEL. The gala event was held at Cut, Wolfgang Puck's ultra-chic Beverly Hills steak house.
September 7, 2007
BLACKBIRD VINEYARDS WELCOMES AARON POTT AS WINEGROWER
(Napa Valley, CA)-Coinciding with its third release this fall of a Napa Valley Proprietary Red Wine, Blackbird Vineyards is pleased to announce that Aaron Pott has been named winegrower. Pott brings with him domestic and international winemaking experience from notable producers, including Quintessa and Saint Clement in the Napa Valley to Château La Tour Figeac and Château Troplong Mondot in Pomerol, France.
"Aaron is a great addition to our growing team. I learned more about the subtleties of winemaking in Pomerol during my first meeting with him than in the last four years of studying the region. His practical experience as a winemaker in Pomerol combined with Sarah's known talents is a captivating combination for Blackbird. His technical and cultural expertise with the wines of that region will further solidify our positioning as a producer of Pomerol inspired wines," says Polenske.
Pott worked for nearly six years making wine in France before returning to the States to take a position with Beringer Wine Estates. As a winemaker for the company's international brands in France, Italy and South America, he had the pleasure to work with French winemakers Jean-Louis Mandrau, formerly of Château Latour and André Porcheret, whose resume includes the Hospice de Beaune and Domaine Leroy. Pott's joined St. Clement as winemaker in 2001. In 2004, he accepted the position as winemaker and general manager at Quintessa.
In 2007, Pott formed "Huis Clos Wines" and is dedicated to consulting for a limited quantity of notable producers as well as making wines of his own.
Founded in 2003 by Michael Polenske, Blackbird Vineyards is an artisanal producer of Pomerol inspired wines from the Napa Valley. Planted in 1997, the estate vineyard is located in the heart of the Oak Knoll District - a region appreciated for its moderate climate and deep, gravelly soils. The vineyard's valley floor topography presents optimum growing conditions for winemaker Sarah Gott and winegrower Aaron Pott to produce an elegantly styled, appropriately balanced red wine that offers short and long term cellaring potential. Limited quantities are available through an allocated mailing list direct from the winery and in the finer restaurants and hotels around the world. www.blackbirdvineyards.com
June 11, 2007
BLACKBIRD VINEYARDS AND XOJET SOAR AT 2007 AUCTION NAPA VALLEY
10 case barrel lot of a Proprietary Bordeaux Blend places in top five of more than 100 offerings
(Napa, California) - Wine enthusiasts, collectors and philanthropists from around the globe flocked to Napa Valley this past week for the 2007 Auction Napa Valley - "The American Classic." The penultimate event of the four day affair - which raised over $9.8 million for Napa Valley community charities - was Saturday night's live auction and dinner at Meadowood Resort.
In its first year of participation, Blackbird Vineyards' barrel auction lot impressively placed in the top five, with notable Napa Valley producers Shafer, Pride Mountain, Joseph Phelps Vineyards (the 2007 auction chair) and D.R. Stephens Estate holding the top positions respectively. Furthering its position that Pomerol inspired Merlot and Cabernet Franc wines can compete directly with Napa Cabernet Sauvignons, Blackbird's 2005 Bordeaux Blend was one of the only wines not crafted primarily from Cabernet Sauvignon to place in the top ten.
By participating in every auction and hospitality event at this year's auction, Blackbird Vineyards single-handedly generated collective winning bids of $120,000 for local health care, youth services and affordable housing non-profits. This was highlighted by an exclusive "Town & Country" experience live auction lot that sold for $90,000; an E-Auction lot, in which one three liter bottle of the 2004 Proprietary Red Wine - hand-signed by winemaker Sarah Gott - sold for $2,800 ($700 per 750ml bottle); and the barrel auction, in which a 10-case lot of Blackbird Vineyards 2005 Bordeaux blend sold for $28,150 (or $235 per bottle).
Live Lot #30, generously donated by Blackbird Vineyards and XOJet, brought in $90,000 alone and is a once-in-a-lifetime experience combining a extraordinary travel experience and elegant Blackbird Vineyard wines. The winning bidder and their guests will be whisked from their home in Illinois to San Francisco by XOJet - the world's first private airline. XOJet operates a fleet of Citation X jets that fly faster (at mach .92) and higher than any other business jet in the world. Upon arrival, guests will enjoy a four-night "Town and Country" sojourn, in San Francisco and the Napa Valley.
Town - In San Francisco, the six guests will enjoy two nights in style at The Clift Hotel - an inspired fusion of old-world hotel elegance with distinctly contemporary energy and glamour. They will delight in hosted dinners at the highly acclaimed Boulette's Larder in the Ferry Building marketplace - the mecca for San Francisco's artisan food community and at Terzo, one of the San Francisco Chronicle's top 10 restaurants of 2006.
And Country - In the Napa Valley, guests will be treated to suite accommodations at The Vintage Inn - a four-diamond property offering the services and amenities of a small luxury hotel. They will take pleasure in private tastings of Blackbird Vineyards wines and the wines of some of the region's most legendary vintners and enjoy an intimate dinner at The Napa Valley Reserve with Blackbird Vineyards proprietor Michael Polenske and its winemaker Sarah Gott.
The winning bidder also receives an extensive collection of Blackbird Vineyards wines, a four year collection of hand-etched and signed 3.0L's and 36 bottles from the 2004 and 2005 vintages, including the premiere release of the newest addition to their wine portfolio.
Beyond the auction lots, Blackbird hosted auction guests to exclusive events, including a "garden party" on Thursday evening at the historic Beaulieu Garden estate in Rutherford. Partnering with Departures, Mandarin Oriental Hotels, Steinway Music, Vinfolio and Singapore Airlines, along with 17 boutique Napa Valley wineries, Blackbird Vineyards welcomed over 250 guests to this elegant affaire of food, wine and music. Martin Showroom in Saint Helena was the setting for an intimate Friday evening dinner prepared by award winning San Francisco chef Mark Gordon of Terzo. The dinner featured multiple vintages of Blackbird Vineyard wines and was set amongst the antiques and aesthetic engineering of the Martin gallery.
The Auction is sponsored by the Napa Valley Vintners (NVV), a non-profit trade organization dedicated to the promotion and protection of the Napa Valley Appellation. Vintner members donate wine, auction lots, hospitality events, and their time in support of the event - truly "neighbors helping neighbors." Some vintners are also top Auction bidders. The Auction has given nearly $70 million to the Napa Valley community over its 26-year history - what's raised in Napa County, stays in Napa County. All proceeds are distributed locally. Past recipients include Clinic Ole, Healthy Moms and Babies, Boys and Girls Club, Calistoga Affordable Housing, St. Helena Hospital, and Queen of the Valley Medical Center, and Sister Anne Dental Clinic, to name a few. www.napavintners.com
February 28, 2007
BLACKBIRD VINEYARDS SOARS IN ITS SECOND YEAR AT THE ANNUAL PREMIERE NAPA VALLEY BARREL AUCTION
The 2005 Bordeaux Blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc sells for $3,600 per case
(Saint Helena, California) - The 11th annual Premiere Napa Valley wine auction held on February 24, 2007 raised $2.16 million for the Napa Valley Vintners promotion and protection of one of the finest winegrowing regions in the world. With its second year contribution, Blackbird Vineyards' five-case lot of a balanced Bordeaux Blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc sold for $18,000 ($3,600 per case) - more than double the average selling price of all lots auctioned. "The winning bid of $18,000 ($300 per bottle)," says proprietor Michael Polenske "validates my belief that a Pomerol inspired wine can compete with the established Cabernet Sauvignons of the valley."
Blackbird was one of only a few wines consisting primarily of Merlot. Winemaker Sarah Gott crafted a one-of-a-kind five-case lot of 2005 Napa Valley Proprietary Red Wine - which is a balanced blend of Merlot from the Blackbird estate in the Oak Knoll District and Cabernet Franc from a single vineyard in Saint Helena.
Polenske welcomed media and trade attendees of the auction the preceding day at Martin in Saint Helena; a showroom balancing art, engineering aesthetics and personality. The afternoon included an intimate luncheon for select media paired with the allocated 2004 vintage of Blackbird and 2005 barrel samples revealing their balanced and elegant flavor profiles. The afternoon reception included over 150 key restaurateur, hotelier and retail guests from around the world. "These wines offer a certain cachet for an already premium wine list," said Alan Arora, the winning bidder of the Blackbird Vineyards Premiere lot, and representing Graycliff Hotel in Nassau, Bahamas. "They are a cut above the rest."
Winemaker Sarah Gott (previously of Joseph Phelps Vineyards and Quintessa) comments that the blend for this year's Premiere lot "offers rich, full flavors of the Blackbird Merlot balanced by the intense bouquet and elegant acidity of the Cabernet Franc; it is truly a distinctive wine." Polenske believes so as well. So much, that Blackbird Vineyards will introduce a variation of this wine as an additional limited production bottling for their private clients.
February 28, 2007
BLACKBIRD, READY FOR ITS CLOSE UP!
Vanity Fair Selected the 2004 Napa Valley Proprietary Red as the Exclusive Red Wine for its Oscar Bash
(Napa, Calif.) - Blackbird Vineyards, an exceptional boutique winery in the Napa Valley, was recently chosen as the only red wine poured for guests at the coveted 2007 Vanity Fair Oscar Party on February 25th.
The star-studded event, held at Morton's, Beverly Hills, was attended by a myriad of celebrities from film, television and music industries - including Martin Scorsese, Jennifer Lopez, Tom Cruise, Madonna and Oprah, to name a few. Since 1994, Vanity Fair has hosted a decadent dinner during the telecast, and the infamous post-Oscar bash following the awards. "The list for this party is one of the most difficult to get on in Hollywood, which makes it an honor and all the more exciting for Blackbird Vineyards," says Polenske, Proprietor of Blackbird Vineyards.
The 2004 Napa Valley Proprietary Red Wine is the latest release from Blackbird Vineyards and with an allocated case production of only 1,100 cases, the wine is as exclusive as the party at which it was served. Renowned winemaker, Sarah Gott, crafted this elegant Bordeaux blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon from a 10 acre estate in the Napa Valley.
"The wine is deep purple, with red hues and aromas of black cherry, jammy fruit and notes of mocha. The tannins are ample and sweet, giving to a well-integrated mouth feel that will continue to evolve over time. The flavors are ripe and vibrant with an elegant finish," says Gott.
October 3, 2006
BLACKBIRD VINEYARDS GARNERS THE HIGHEST BID OF THE EVENING AT THE FEAST OF EDEN EVENT
Top Lot!
(Napa, California) - The Land Trust of Napa County gathered at Hudson Vineyards Estate on July 29, 2006 in the Carneros area of Napa, California for the third annual Feast of Eden, an event to benefit organization's land preservation work.
The dinner and auction raised $200,000 with the largest grossing lot being sold for $21,000. The winner of this phenomenal package, 'Five Nights of the Iguana,' were whisked away to a luxurious Puerto Vallartan estate on a private jet in owner-class service provided by XOJet, all the while enjoying the incredible wines of Blackbird Vineyards.
"We worked hard to organize a fun package that would also raise a lot of money for such a worthy cause. We could not have been more excited to learn that it was the top lot of the night! It's an exciting time for Blackbird Vineyards with our second vintage being released this November. We look forward to participating in more events such as this," says Polenske, Proprietor of Blackbird Vineyards.
May 29, 2006
PAUL LEARY LANDS AT BLACKBIRD VINEYARDS
Former Associate Vice President of Marketing, Duckhorn Wine Company, announces that he will join Blackbird Vineyards
(Napa, California) - Blackbird Vineyards, who recently launched the inaugural release of their ultra premium 2003 Merlot from Napa's Oak Knoll District, is pleased to announce that Paul Leary has joined as Chief Operating Officer/Chief Marketing Officer. "Paul has a remarkable track record in developing key consumer and trade strategies for the luxury wine tier. He has demonstrated a strong history of sales and marketing capabilities and will be a tremendous asset to our team as we prepare for the release of our second vintage," said Blackbird Vineyards' proprietor Michael Polenske. "We are delighted that he has chosen to join the team at Blackbird Vineyards."
Leary was most recently the Associate Vice President of Marketing at Duckhorn Wine Company, where he was responsible for the short and long term planning, marketing expenditures and budgets, including packaging for three wine brands, public relations, website development, ecommerce, email marketing and numerous point of sales materials for direct and wholesale sales channels. As Chief Operating Officer/Chief Marketing Officer for Blackbird Vineyards, Leary will develop forecasting strategies, establish sales and distribution channels, develop an infrastructure for direct to consumer sales, and oversee the short and long-term objectives of the winery. "It is truly an exciting opportunity to be a part of the Blackbird Vineyards team. The estate vineyard offers exceptional roots to establish a winery of the highest character," said Leary.
Leary has been, and will continue to be, an active member of the Marketing and Promotions Committee for the Napa Valley Vintners. Among other charitable organizations that Leary is dedicated to, he has also been a Certified Volunteer Firefighter in St. Helena. Leary will continue to reside in Napa while representing Blackbird Vineyards regionally and nationally.
March 1, 2006
PREMIERE NAPA VALLEY BARREL AUCTION RAISES OVER $1.87 MILLION AND NEWCOMER BLACKBIRD VINEYARDS SPREADS ITS WINGS
Blackbird's 2004 Merlot and Winemaker Sarah Gott Soar
(Napa, California) - Premiere Napa Valley Wine Auction raised $1.87 million for the Napa Valley Vintners' philanthropic programs, and Blackbird Vineyards' five-case auction lot alone raised $9,000 with its inaugural participation at the event. "We are thrilled by the winning bid of $9,000 ($150 per bottle)," says proprietor Michael Polenske. "It's a big step up from our inaugural 2003 vintage price of $70 per bottle." Blackbird was one of only twelve Merlot lots included in the event; the one-of-a-kind five-case lot of 2004 Blackbird Vineyards Merlot was a blend of the finest Merlot lots in Blackbird's cellar, to which Gott added a small amount of Cabernet Sauvignon.
Polenske held inaugural events for media and trade at the Napa Valley Reserve to introduce the launch of Blackbird Vineyards the day prior to the auction. The day included a media luncheon with wines paired with the culinary delights of Boulettes Larder, a San Francisco epicurean restaurant devoted to organic fare and which embraces the slow food movement. The afternoon reception included over 200 key retail guests from around the country. "We are delighted that the notoriety of the vineyards and Sarah's reputation as a winemaker has piqued the interest of such a prestigious group of buyers," says Polenske. "Sarah is one of the best winemakers in the valley and a joy to work with. The day could not have been better."
Gott's resume includes Joseph Phelps, Quintessa, and Wirra Wirra in Australia's McClaren Vale. She is especially fond of Blackbird's fruit source and ideal location of the vineyard in the Oak Knoll AVA of Napa Valley. She is able to translate the fruit of the vine into the bottle with minimal interference from stylistic flourishes. "The quality of the fruit is what drives the quality of the wine," says Gott.
BLACKBIRD VINEYARDS
Michael Polenske, Proprietor
5033 Big Ranch Road, Napa, CA 94558
707-252-4444
CONTACT: WAGSTAFF WORLDWIDE
>Ashley Rodgers323-871-1151
Ashley@wagstaffworldwide.com
