"Masquerade de Mystique" - Sun & Stars Wine Tasting & Auction

[Tish J]

http://www.wines.com/mfc/

19th Annual Fundraiser for Montessori Family Center to Feature Rare Napa Valley Vintages and Unique Excursion Packages


ST. HELENA, California (January 11, 2002) – The Montessori Family Center, a non-profit preschool serving Napa Valley, today announced its 19th Annual Sun & Stars Wine Auction will be held on Saturday, March 2, 2002, at the Culinary Institute of America, in St. Helena. The theme of this year’s event is, "Masquerade de Mystique."

The fundraiser, sponsored by parents and friends of MFC, supports student scholarships and offsets equipment, operating and administrative expenses for the institutions’ toddler and primary programs. The auction will feature silent and live lots consisting of rare, vintage wines donated by the valley’s leading winemakers; all inclusive adventure packages, including private parties set in exclusive Napa Valley locations; and goods and services, such as spa treatments, tickets to Bay Area sporting and entertainment events, and artwork from local businesses and artisans. Attendees will also enjoy samplings from a number of renowned Napa Valley restaurants and wineries.

"Over the past 19 years, countless families in the valley have turned to the Montessori Family Center for their childcare needs -- the program fills a huge demand in the valley for high-quality early education," said Billa Donaldson, event co-chair. "The Sun & Stars auction is an incredibly important event for the school because the funds raised help with tuition costs for less-fortunate families and supplement salaries so the school can continue to attract and retain first-class teachers. This year in particular, we’re appealing to businesses and individuals to focus at the local level and support our community and the future of our children."

The auctioneer for the event will be Robert Pecota, founder of The Robert Pecota Winery and chair of 2002 Napa Valley Wine Auction. Pecota maintains a long-standing association with the Montessori Family Center and was the chair of the school’s first auction in 1983.

Quality wines continue to make the auction a favorite among locals and collectors. "Each year we look forward to the unique and unusual lots we find at the Sun and Stars auction," said Stacey Bressler, a regular auction attendee from Bressler Vineyards, who notes a special artisan wine lot from a previous year that included a selection of small release wines put together by many of the MFC parents who are some of the Napa Valley's leading winemakers. "The date for 2002 is already on our calendar."

The cost is $65 per person in advance or $75 at the door.

The Montessori Family Center is a non-profit educational organization, dedicated to providing a nurturing educational environment for the complete and total fulfillment of children. The center is located in St. Helena, California, where it operates exceptional toddler and preschool programs for children in the Napa Valley.