Sunday E-dition: Jameson Humane’s WineaPAWlooza Raises $1.1 Million for Animals
By Dave Stoneberg
NAPA, Calif. — The crowd that attended the June 21, WineaPAWlooza auction at Napa’s Burgess Cellars was boisterous, noisy and generous. The auction of 17 lots raised nearly $890,000, and the Fund-A-Need raised an additional $224,500.
Overall, the event raised $1.1 million to benefit Jameson Humane, a no-kill rescue and sanctuary based in Napa for homeless companion and farm animals.
That Friday evening, auctioneer Fritz Hatton welcomed Amy Burkman, a muralist, multimedia artist and speed painter, to the stage. In front of her was a blank canvas. Burkman told Hatton it would take her seven minutes to complete a painting. And she was better than her word, completing the painting in six minutes and 20 seconds. It didn’t look like a lovable cow — at least until she turned it over. Hatton started the bidding at $5,000 and got it. When bidding stalled, he admonished a bidder saying, “Show your love for the cow, sir.” The crowd did, and the painting sold for $7,000. Hatton sold an additional five paintings – yet to be done – for $7,000 each, raising $42,000 to start the auction.
Chef Daniel Gomez Sanchez was the lead chef for Friday night, when he and his crew fed 280 people in a tent on the Burgess Cellars property. With the volunteers and staff, that number increased to more than 320 people.
“Everything worked. It was flawless,” said Jameson Humane founder Monica Stevens.
Screaming Eagle
Several hours later, when Hatton was nearly finished with his night’s work, he urged the audience to donate for the Fund-A-Need lot. Stevens said since Jameson began 10 years ago, she has never seen the need larger than it is today. “We get calls, emails, people need help” with their animals’ care.
“Who would like to donate $50,000?” Hatton asked. Jeffrey Miller, friend of Jameson Humane and a resident of St. Helena and Miami, did. In making the significant Fund-A-Need donation, Miller dedicated it to the late David Stevens, who passed at age 72 in November 2023. David and Monica Stevens founded Jameson Humane in 2014.
For the past two years, Miller, a wine collector, has played a significant role at WineaPAWlooza by paying $125,000 each year to buy the coveted cult wine Screaming Eagle cabernet sauvignon. Last year he bought a 6-liter bottle of 1999 Screaming Eagle, one of only two produced, made by Heidi Barrett. This year, it was an even rarer wine, a 3-liter from Screaming Eagle’s inaugural year, 1992.
Hatton said he has auctioned off a couple dozen big bottles of Screaming Eagle, made from grapes grown in an Oakville vineyard owned by Jean Phillips. The inaugural vintage was “the smallest vintage ever,” he said before the auction began. “It was only 175 cases total, so it’s the rarest and it’s more expensive. It’s twice as expensive on the open market as the other Screaming Eagle vintages.” The bottle, one of only five made, came from Phillips’ own cellar and was signed by Phillips.
In the 2000 Napa Valley Wine Auction, Hatton sold a 6-liter bottle of 1992 Screaming Eagle for a record price of $500,000.
“And we thought it might sell for $50,000,” Hatton said. “There have been other bottles since then, and we’ve never been able to push them past $500,000.”
The half-million-dollar mark seems to be the glass ceiling for big bottles of Screaming Eagle cabs.
“The last time we got to $500,000, I begged the audience for someone to come in at $501,000,” Hatton said. “Begging, begging, but no one did. So there it is. There seems to be great fear about going beyond $500,000.”
Monica Stevens said she and David first met Miller when a driver brought him to their shop, 750 Wines in St. Helena, for a tasting.
“I don’t know what year it was,” she said. “He just loved David. And, you know, he was a really great client of ours. And we’ve just stayed friends. He goes back and forth to Miami and has a home here in St. Helena. He really loves Jameson, and he comes to as many WineaPAWloozas as he can.”
Stevens and I tried to get an interview with the reclusive Phillips, but it was no deal. She didn’t want to answer any questions, even posed by Stevens. She has donated bottles of Screaming Eagle cabs to all 11 WineaPAWlooza events, raising significant funds for the nonprofit, and I’d like to know why animals and Jameson Humane have such a special place in her heart.
Noteworthy lots
In between the first and last lot there were several other noteworthy auction lots: A seven-night trip touring Japan ($32,000); 60 magnums from Napa Valley producers, from Adversity Cellars to Zakin Family Estate ($34,000); two VIP seats to Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour in Miami in October ($31,000); and a grand party in September for 29 people touring Beckstoffer’s Dr. Crane Vineyard with Andy Beckstoffer and dinner at Arrow&Branch winery ($145,000).
Wines poured
Friday night was at Burgess Cellars, one of six wineries that make up Lawrence Wine Estates. The others pouring their wines were Heitz Cellar, Ink Grade, Stony Hill and Haynes Vineyard. Burgess winemaker Meghan Zobeck was glad to be hosting WineaPAWlooza and Jameson Humane.
“It’s very important for us to support this local charity because we also have animals,” she said. “They’re a big part of our farming process. We are very excited to be able to host this event today at our home winery.”
The tasting area was next to St. Andrews Vineyard, which was the original historic name for the vineyard when it was owned by Clos du Val. After that ownership ended, Luna took over the vineyard, and Burgess bought the Luna space to create its new home on Silverado Trail near Hardman Avenue in Napa.
Zobeck and her crew were pouring Burgess’ first sparkling wine, the 2020 Blanc de Blanc from Quartz Creek Vineyard, a cabernet sauvignon from the same vineyard and a 2021 Promiscua cabernet, which is a blend of fruit from both the valley floor and mountain vineyards.
Remembering Willie Mays
At the media table, Maxwell Glick pulled out his iPhone. On it was a Dodgers cover. Glick is a Los Angeles resident who has Dodgers season tickets. I asked him, “Tell me about Willie Mays,” since it was just days after Mays died at age 93.
“My dad actually saw him play,” Glick said, “which is wild because I’m from New York originally. Dad’s from Brooklyn. So when he was a little boy, my dad saw the catch on TV. Isn’t that insane? He was a big Brooklyn Dodgers fan. Mays, the center fielder for the New York Giants, made that catch on Sept. 29, 1954, in the first game of the World Series against the Cleveland Indians.”
Glick added his grandfather was a New York Giants fan.
“I’ve had a Dodgers, Giants, Yankees connection my whole life because that’s my whole family,” he said.
He is a content creator on YouTube, focusing on food and drink, theme parks and life as an award-winning actor and voice actor in Los Angeles.
Wristrocket performs
The two-day main event continued on Saturday with a tasting from 60 Napa and Sonoma vintners, vegetarian cuisine and an evening concert by Napa Valley’s rock ’n’ roll band, Wristrocket, headed by Jeff Smith. It was held at St. Helena’s Raymond Vineyards.
“The experience Saturday was special because the vintners loved Jameson,” Stevens said. “There were 60 of them, and they were all telling me the quality of the guests was huge. People were signing up for their lists, people wanting more information, and that means the world to me.”
On Saturday the vegan food was prepared by chef Deborah Blum and her team from Goatlandia Kitchen.
“People loved it, it was like street food,” Stevens said. “It was passed food and then sandwiches, and it was beautiful.”
For several years, Jeff Smith’s Wristrocket rock ’n’ roll band ended the night at WineaPAWlooza. It’s a special band to WineaPAWlooza attendees, since David Stevens was the band’s longtime bass player. This year, besides Smith, the band included Mike Hirby, Scott Turnidge, Scott Castro, Murray Castro and Abe Newman.
Wristrocket hadn’t closed the event since 2018, and last year Stevens contacted Smith, telling him, “I really want you guys to play.” He committed to 2024 and 2025.
“I think everyone really, really reveled in the experience of both nights and how different they were,” Stevens said.
Eleven years of memories
When asked what her favorite WineaPAWlooza memory is, Stevens said it was during the height of COVID in 2020. The event was called “Palooza in Place.”
“It was Fritz and I and Vanessa Conlin up in the Vintner’s Room at Meadowood,” Stevens said. “It was so fun because we were able to provide the tasting experience to the guests by sending them wine from our vintners. It was so memorable.”
Four hundred people from all across the United States showed up online and watched the event, which was broadcast live by SOMM TV.
“That was so memorable because it was so different, yet so well received by people,” Stevens said. “Everyone was at home and we provided all the things they could want. We were trying to create WineaPAWlooza for them at home.”
Sep Pirchner started working with the Stevenses in 2011 and has volunteered at every WineaPAWlooza. He said his job is “making sure our vintners are taken care of, that everything is set up so that the grand tasting and any wine-related aspect of WineaPAWlooza comes off perfectly and is a great experience so that people want to come back and be a part of it year after year.”
When asked about his best memory of WineaPAWlooza, Pirchner said he has are two.
“When vintner Russell Bevan did the impromptu sabering of champagne on stage, which was panic-induing, thrilling and exciting, all at the same time,” he said. “That’s something that I’ll never forget” — especially the part when the bottle broke apart and glass shards flew into the front row of the audience.
His second memory: “The first year that we broke $2 million. That was awesome to see those numbers come in and to see that the generosity was real.”
Bevan clarified the story of the broken champagne bottle: “It was too warm, so it shattered,” he said. “Then the next year they gave me a plastic lightsaber to use, and I destroyed that and a chunk of it ended up on somebody’s plate. We’ve had good WineaPAWlooza times.”
Early on, Bevan said David Stevens asked him to walk onstage banging a cowbell.
“David was a curmudgeon who had magic in him,” he said. “He had me do different things every year that were so absolutely special. My memories of WineaPAWlooza are his dedication in the way he and Monica inspired each other to make this such a grand event. When I think of WineaPAWlooza, I think of their love of animals and the camaraderie it brings.”
Hatton had the final word: “We’ve got to protect the animals. And with Monica here, in my next life I hope I come back as an animal in Napa Valley.”
If today’s story captured your interest, explore these related articles:
Disasters impact pets: Jameson Humane to host WineaPAWlooza fundraiser
David Stevens: A trailblazer in Napa Valley's wine culture and champion of animal welfare
Monica Stevens’ Studio 1299A fuses luxury wine with social good
Dave Stoneberg is an editor and journalist who has worked for newspapers in both Lake and Napa counties.
Levity Corner
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Last Week
Tim Carl discussed the evolving economic pressures and changing consumer behaviors that are impacting Napa Valley's tourism and wine industries in "Under the Hood: Slowing Travel, Declining Wine Demand Threaten Napa Valley." Carl noted that while travel remains a priority for Americans, budget-conscious choices and fewer trips per traveler are becoming the norm. This shift, combined with a decline in wine demand, particularly among younger consumers who view alcohol as unhealthy, poses significant challenges. The report highlighted that reduced travel spending and a 19.4% drop in Napa County tasting-room visitations are exacerbating the region's economic vulnerabilities.
Rosemarie Kempton highlighted the philanthropic efforts of Tatiana Copeland in "The Harmony of Generosity." Copeland, co-owner and chairman of Bouchaine Vineyards, has been a significant supporter of the Festival Napa Valley, particularly through the Bouchaine Young Artists Series, which provides young musicians with performance opportunities and scholarships. Despite not disclosing the exact amount, the Copelands were noted as top donors with contributions of $700,000 or more. Copeland's passion for music and philanthropy is deeply rooted in her heritage, and her contributions extend beyond Napa Valley to various arts organizations and humanitarian efforts.
Kathleen Scavone detailed the historical use of native plants by the Indigenous Wappo people in "Native Plants Were Food and Medicine for the Wappo People." Scavone highlighted how the Wappo utilized various plants for sustenance and remedies, such as bay laurel nuts for food and medicine, pine nuts for their nutritional value and oak acorns for making flour. She also described the practical uses of soaproot, including its application in crafting brushes and as a fish-stunning agent. The article underscores the Wappos’ deep environmental knowledge and its relevance today.
Dan Berger explored the history and characteristics of the often-overlooked semillon grape in "Dan Berger’s Varietal Views: Semillon’s Surprising Story." Berger recounted a tasting where wine professionals mistook an aged semillon for riesling, highlighting the grape's unique aroma profile that includes notes of petroleum. Despite its relative obscurity and declining acreage in California, semillon has a dedicated following, particularly in Australia’s Hunter Valley, where it is known for its ability to age beautifully. Berger emphasized that semillon deserves more recognition for its complex flavors and aging potential.
Bob Niklewicz discussed the multifaceted benefits of gardening in "Gardening Yields Physical and Mental Benefits." Niklewicz explained how gardening offers both physical exercise and mental relaxation, serving as a form of therapy and meditation. He highlighted the cardiovascular benefits of walking in the garden and the mental tranquility derived from engaging with nature. Niklewicz also cited scientific studies supporting the positive impacts of gardening on mental health, including reductions in depression and anxiety, improved cognitive function and enhanced quality of life.
Napa Valley Features announced that memorial services for Warren Winiarski, the esteemed vintner and philanthropist. Winiarski, who co-founded Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, passed away peacefully at 95. He was renowned for his 1973 cabernet sauvignon's victory at the 1976 Judgment of Paris, a milestone that elevated Napa Valley's global wine status. His legacy extends beyond winemaking to significant contributions in land conservation and philanthropy. The public wake will be held at Mont La Salle Chapel, with the private memorial service available online.
Glenda Winders examined the generational tensions and potential for collaboration in "Sunday E-dition: Generational Collaboration Can Build a Better Future." Winders reflected on the lighthearted but pointed critiques of baby boomers by younger generations and explored the challenges faced by Gen Z, such as economic uncertainty and climate anxiety. Highlighting the strengths and values of Gen Z, she advocated for bridging generational divides through mutual understanding and cooperation. Winders concluded that fostering dialogue and sharing responsibilities could lead to a more inclusive and collaborative future.
Next Week
Next week we have more interesting articles from a host of Napa Valley Features contributors. Sasha Paulsen will share details on upcoming events in Napa Valley. Tim Carl will explore the intricacies of a local winemaker turned red beer maker. Dan Berger will provide his insights on Napa Valley wine trends. Additionally, our Master Gardener series will continue with expert advice on gardening. As always, Friday's Weekender will guide readers through the best events and activities in the area, and Saturday's "Under the Hood" series will delve into the shifting nature of wine auctions and offer an economic dashboard and recommended reading by our team. The Sunday E-dition will showcase a photo gallery from the 4th of July, and, as always, be on the lookout for more information and timely stories, too.
Thank you, Dave, and NV Features team for all your hard work and support! Tim, beautiful photos!