Who: Palate Partners/Dreadnought Wines
What: Dinner with Winemaker Scott Harvey to benefit Dress For Success Pittsburgh
When: May 7, 2008 – 7:00 PM
Cost: $100 per person (limited to 30 people)
How: Pre-paid reservations required. (412) 391-8502.
www.palatepartners.com
Detail:
Respected Winemaker Scott Harvey joins Palate Partners for a Dinner Fundraiser May 7.
In Pittsburgh as part of the Pittsburgh Wine Festival, California Winemaker Scott Harvey is pitching in for the cause of Dress For Success Pittsburgh with a special evening of wines and a gourmet dinner with Michael Gonze and Deb Mortillaro of Palate Partners/Dreadnought Wines.
Scott developed a keen interest in winemaking as a high school exchange student in the Rhineland Pfalz region of Germany. Scott attended California State University at Sacramento before beginning practical Enology training at Montevina Winery in Amador County. Back to Germany in 1975, he apprenticed at K. Fitz-Ritter Winery while attending the Weinbau Schule in Neustadt. Once again returning to Montevina Winery, Scott focused on all aspects of winemaking and running a winery. In 1978, at the age of twenty-three, Scott took over as Head Winemaker for Story Winery, also in Amador County.
In 1979 as Winemaker and General Manager of Santino Winery, Scott is credited with placing Amador County on the California wine map. Crafting the best wines possible from the soils and climatic conditions of the region, Santino and later Renwood benefited from Scott's German training and innovative style.
In 1996, as Partner, Winemaker & President for Folie a Deux Winery in Napa Valley, with winemaker Richard Peterson, Ph.D, a formidable winemaking team was launched. Scott pursued his commitment to award-winning Cabernets made from the Estate Vineyards in Napa Valley while continuing his passion for Amador County Zinfandel. Access to Scott's original Grandpère vineyard in Amador County and close relationships with premier Amador County growers, resulted in award-winning wines all around for Folie a Deux. In addition, Scott's creation, the "Menage a Trois" line of wines, was an instant commercial success. In 2004, Folie a Deux, now a respected brand, was sold to Sutter Home/Trinchero Winery.
The Scott Harvey line focuses on Scott's roots - Zinfandel, Syrah and Barbera from the Sierra's. Approachable, food friendly and full of luscious fruit, these wines have struck a cord in the marketplace.
Palate Partners and Dreadnought Wines in the Strip District, well know for their wine tastings, wine expertise and unique shop full of wine accessories, formed a women-only wine tasting and networking group called Vin Fatales. In response to many years of requests for donations to limitless not-for-profit causes, Palate Partners created Vin Fatales to both give women a fun and focused opportunity to gather and network, as well as to focus their fundraising efforts into one main organization: Dress for Success Pittsburgh. They still provide goods to a handful of other not-for-profits, but Dress For Success is their main beneficiary.
The mission of Dress for Success is to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.
Founded in New York City in 1997, Dress for Success is an international not-for-profit organization offering services designed to help clients find a job and remain employed. Each Dress for Success client receives one suit when she has a job interview and can return for a second suit or separates when she finds work.
Deb Mortillaro, the chef for this dinner, graduated with honors from the Culinary Institute of America and after graduation Deb served as an apprentice in a restaurant in Siena, Italy. After returning to the US, Deb moved to Chicago and worked at Morton's of Chicago as the Garde Manger and at Stouffer's Restaurants as the Menu and Facilities Design Assistant. In 1981 Deb moved to Pittsburgh and for 14 years served as the Private Chef to Milton Fine, owner of the Interstate Hotel Corporation, before partnering with Gonze as Co-owner of Palate Partners. Deb sits on the Board of Neighbors in the Strip, Dress for Success Pittsburgh, and is the founder of "Vin Fatales", a philanthropic women's wine tasting group.
Scott will be joining Palate Partners and Dreadnought Wines at the Pittsburgh Wine Festival on May 8th, and on May 7th at 7:00 PM he will join Mike Gonze and Debbie Mortillaro at their home for a cozy dinner for 30 people.
The evening will feature five Scott Harvey Wines, hors d'oeuvres and a four-course dinner, and proceeds from the $100 per person cost will benefit Dress For Success Pittsburgh.
To be a part of this very special evening with Scott, Mike and Deb, make pre-paid reservations (required) by calling (412) 391-8502.
