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The 26th annual “Amazing Grapes Fine Wine and Entertaining Auction” took place on a beautiful Friday, May 13 evening to benefit the Hermann-Grima/Gallier Historic Houses’ educational programs, as well as the maintenance of the two national historic landmarks. The night kicked off with a cocktail party in the Hermann-Grima Courtyard.
Patrons enjoyed champagne with blood orange liqueur provided by Evan Hayes of Delachaise and hors d’oeuvres made by the Ralph Brennan Restaurant Group. After the reception, guests second-lined down St. Louis Street to the beautifully decorated Omni Royal Orleans.
At the hotel, more than 300 guests enjoyed a three-course dinner of Caprese salad, seared pork chop with potato mash and haricots verts and chocolate doberge cake. Trinchero Family Estates provided wine for the evening. A live wine auction lead by Ruthie Winston preceded the dinner. Co-chairs Courtney Murphy and Mary Funderburk put on a lavish auction featuring items such as a bottle of 2007 Opus One donated by the board of managers of the Woman’s Exchange, a liter bottle of 2004 Marchesi Antinoir Tignanello donated by Brad Adams and a Napa Valley getaway for six donated by Trinchero Napa Valley.
Some of the guests in attendance included President Julie Breitmeyer; Executive Director of Hermann-Grima/Gallier Historic Houses Mamie Gasperecz; Tommy Westervelt, representing sponsor Iberia Bank; and Barry Wiss and Keith de la Gardelle, representing the Trinchero Family Estates.