New England Patriots’ Coach Bill Belichick, with his friend Linda Holliday, enjoyed the Grand Tasting on the final day of the 2010 Nantucket Wine Festival. Belichick is the head coach for the hometown favorites, and coached the team to Super Bowl wins in 2001, 2003 and 2004. He’s in his 10th season with the team.
Frank Neer, Denis Toner, Coach Bill Belichick, Linda Holliday, Mark Donato
Here are some other guests at this year’s festival, and by all measures, it was a wonderful event.
Chef Ming Tsia was recognized as the NWF Luminary of the Year 2010, and attended several dinners and other events during the weekend, including the Wine Auction Dinner.
Denis Toner, Ming Tsai
Wines were provided at the auction by Jorge Ordonez, winner of the 2008 and inaugural Luminary of the Year Award. Jorge provided amazing wines from Spain, and hosted several incredible events himself.
Jorge Ordonez
Also attending the auction dinner was Ray Coursen, winner of the 2009 Luminary of the Year Award, and an all-around amazing winemaker from Napa.
Dozens of other wineries from around the world were in attendance, as well as numerous chefs representing some of the finest restaurants in the world.
Cesare Casella
Cesare Casella came in from NYC, where he owns Salumeria Rosi (he brought his amazing salumi, and his homemade parmigiano). Todd English was on hand, and he is now partnering with The Summer House and Figs at 29 Fair in their Nantucket endeavors.
Robert Sinskey
There was a strong showing of wineries from California, including Alis Arrowood of Arrowood Winery, Jack Bittner representing Cliff Lede Vineyards, Ray Coursen of Elyse Winery, David and Jasmine Hirsch from Hirsch Winery, Rob and Maria Sinskey of Robert Sinskey Vineyards, Carissa Mondavi of Robert Mondavi Winery, and Jeff Bundschu of Gundlach Bundschu Winery in Napa.
Hugh and Pat Tietjen
Hugh Tietjen was also in from Napa, where he is publisher of some of the leading trade magazines in the wine industry, including “Wines and Vines” and “Wine Business Monthly”.
Laurent Drouhin, Maison Joseph Drouhin
From France we saw Dominique Demarville, Chef de Caves of Veuve Clicquot Champagne, Laurent Drouhin of Maison Joseph Drouhin, Michel Anglada and Martine Deleger of Domaine Anglada-Deleger, and Alex Gambal showing his impressive burgundies.
E.J. Harvey, SeaGrille
Local restauranteurs from Nantucket were out in force, including Michael Getter of Dune, Angela and Seth Raynor from The Pearl, The Boarding House and Corazon del Mar, Amanda Lydon and Gabriel Frasca of Straight Wharf, All Kovalencik of The Company of the Cauldron, Peter and Wendy Jannelle from 56 Union, E.J. Harvey of SeaGrille, Michael Lascola from American Seasons, and Geoffrey and David Silva of Galley Beach.
Bill "Smitty" Smitrovich, Eileen McLemore
Also in attendance throughout the week was Bill “Smitty” Smitrovich, a wonderful and successful character actor who continues to get great roles. He’ll soon appear in “The Rum Diaries” with Johnny Depp (focusing on the life of Hunter S. Thompson), as well as break-out television series called “The Event”, scheduled to be aired in September.
A new and beautiful guest may have been the most popular for some, although she never attended any of the events. The new Panamera 4-door sedan by Porsche had everyone’s attention, like the most popular girl in the room. Many people couldn’t stop talking about her, what a sight!
Panamera, by Porsche
Another very welcome guest at this year’s festival was the great weather, as locals and festival faithful alike know it’s not always perfect here in May. Well, this week it was. Thank you sunshine and warm days, everyone adored you this week, you made the event shine, and smiles come out in number.
wine in the sun
Please come again next year.
sunshine!
That goes for everyone else too. Join us!!
See you then,
Nantucket Wine Festival
NWF's John Hayes and Mark Donato
The Grand Tasting
