A Passion 4 Pinot raises a glass to Les Dames d'Escoffier International Palm Springs
The second annual Palm Springs Pinot Fest, aka “A Passion 4 Pinot,” made an extraordinary comeback this year, after being canceled last year due to the pandemic. Producer Dave Fraschetti brought together 60 award-winning world-class winemakers at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa for the classy event, attracting more than 800 attendees, with safety on the forefront whereby patrons showed proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test upon entry. Situated outside with a gorgeous palm tree-lined background, the setting was spectacular with a beautiful desert sunset.
The premier event was not only a unique opportunity to engage with foremost winery owners and winemakers while learning about winemaking practices and philosophies that produce wines of distinction, there was an illustrious silent auction benefiting the nonprofit Les Dames d'Escoffier International Palm Springs, which supports scholarships to women pursuing careers in the hospitality and culinary arts and related fields.
The auction raised $18,000, with 100% of the money going to the organization.
Scholarship recipients are often young women who are the first in their families to attend college. As a student progresses through schooling and after graduation, the organization continues to serve as a mentor, helping to guide them in starting their career path.
As the second largest Pinot Noir tasting event in Southern California, the fest drew attendees from around the country. Samplings of amazing “cult-classic collectable” wines were offered along with food samplings from Wildest Greens, featuring the Ahi Tuna Tartare with avocado, mango papaya salad, sweet chili lime emulsion and furikake seasoning, while the JW Marriott provided a variety of tasty bites. Nick Sosa and his band entertained the festival goers, some of whom even took to dancing.
A few if the world-class wineries included Williams Selyum, Papapietro Perry, Tongue Dancer, Domaine Della, Maggy Hawk, Foxen Vineyards, Keller Estate, Clarice and many others. Also participating in the event was our local Desert Wine Shop on Highway 111, which featured a few of the labels offered at their shop, including a unique Lichen white Pinot Noir from California’s Anderson Valley. The wine is made in an unusual way by combining the juice of Pinot Noir grapes that are pressed right after picking with Pinot Gris juice. With apple and peach flavors, it is a light-body and low-alcohol wine that offers crispness with smoothness. This wine can only be found in a few stores in the country.
Sponsor Renova Energy provided the keepsake wine glasses embellished with the A Passion 4 Pinot trademark. Other sponsors included Visit Greater Palm Springs, The Fine Jewelry Bar, Palm Springs Podiatry, Coachella Valley Firebirds, State Farm Agent Cindy Pieper and media sponsors KESQ News Channel 3, CBS Local 2 and Fox 11 Palm Springs.
Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, Chris Clemens Martello has resided and practiced public relations in the Coachella Valley for 20 years. She is the founder of ClemensPR, working with nonprofits and a variety of clients in varied industries.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: A Passion 4 Pinot raises a glass to Les Dames d'Escoffier
