Tivens is Tops at Winewomen and Song

We can't stop crowing about the magnifique Ahnfeldt wine dinner, your amazing support for Well in the Desert and the heart-stopping voice of Jessica Tivens. Our Winewomen and Song evening under the full moon at Miramonte on Friday was nothing short of magical. In case you weren't there, here's what you missed.

First off, thanks to Randy Hazard for five awesome Ahnfeldt wines and Chef Robert Nyerick for a beautiful fall dinner anchored by ol' reliable filet mignon and lobster, both tender and letter perfect – which, for more than a hundred hungry guests that included quite of few VIPs, is not an easy thing to do.

As for all of you who came out to support Well in the Desert, the West Valley's safety net for the working poor and homeless – a giant thank you. God bless Arlene Rosenthal (pictured, to Jessica's right) and the Well staff for the incredible job they do for so many on a shoestring budget. You are true humanitarians.

Lola Rossi Meza sang a fitting People – a daring enough feat in itself – to recognize and honor Arlene and the stellar Well supporters and staff. With barely any prep or notice, accompanist Gale Enger was, as always, right on it. He is the consummate piano pro.

After the festivities, foods and wines, Jessica Tivens took to the stage to give the massive full moon a run for its money. Her vocal dexterity and poise ran a gamut of styles from Sondheim to Andrew Lloyd Webber, Massenet and contemporary Broadway tunes with gusto and humor, always hitting her notes. With stage presence, youthful grace and humor, Jessica lifted the evening to another orbit of sheer musical delight. Listen to her accompany pianist and producer Mike Garson here on Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata, which she absolutely must perform next time as an encore.

As much as we're dying to tell you about our next event at Bellatrix on November 21 in support of local scholarships to Cal State San Bernardino's Palm Desert Campus (and yes, you can start calling Kathleen at 760.799.7076 to reserve), we want to bask in the glow of Tivens' voice and the magic that was Winewomen and Song at Miramonte on Friday. More November event news coming soon.

Showtime! Winewomen and Song This Friday

Our Ahnfeldt wine dinner on Friday, October 22 is sure to hit the high notes. Between the vocal performance of classical songstress Jessica Tivens with Gale Enger at the piano, wines that include two reds from Napa's excellent 2005 vintage, Chef Nyerick's cuisine, a gorgeous outdoor venue at Miramonte and the incredible charity that is Well in the Desert, you are in for a monstrous treat.

Tivens has covered a lot of sheet music in her twenty-something years. The precocious talent made her debut on TV's Star Search when she was only eight years old. Later, she trained at New York's legendary Julliard School of Music, followed by her professional operatic debut in 1999 and an appearance at Carnegie Hall only a year after that – how tough is that in Noo Yawk? Lemme tell ya.

Besides performing for dignitaries Rudy Giuliani and the Clintons, Jessica has also shared the concert stage with Josh Groban, Davis Gaines and Michael Crawford. Listen to this lady rattle the rafters on her website – yowza!

As though all this weren't enough for one night, our Winewomen and Song event features Nyerick's gorgeous fall menu wine dinner and five pairings with Napa Valley's Ahnfeldt wines.

Start with passed appetizers and Ahnfeldt 2005 Cuvee at 6 PM and be humming your way home by 9:30 PM. The dinner includes Ahnfeldt's 2009 Pinot Grigio and Chardonnay as well as two 2005 vintage beauties: Ahnfedlt Estate Cabernet Sauvignon and Estate Merlot.

Weather permitting, Tivens' performance and our wine dinner should unfold under the stars at Miramonte's romantic Mediterranean Lawn. Proceeds will benefit Well in the Desert, a charity dedicated to food assistance, programs and services that focus on poverty prevention and intervention.

Make your just-in-time reservations today! Tickets are $75 for WinewomenPSP members and $85 for nonmembers.

See the entire four-course dinner menu and event schedule online and ring K at 760.799.7076 con brio. See you there!

Winewomen, Song and Ahnfeldt Wines

To close out California wine month, we want to tip our hats to a small Napa Valley winery you'll have the chance to get to know better next month – Ahnfeldt Wines.

Plan to join us as we reprise Winewomen & Song with a special Ahnfeldt wine dinner on Friday, October 22 at Miramonte Resort and Spa. Our last Winewomen & Song was such a magical evening under the stars at Miramonte's Mediterranean lawn that we were driven to do it again!

This time, we're honored to showcase talented vocalist Jessica Tivens and her accompanist, the ever-charming Gale Enger. Chef Nyerick has composed a gorgeous menu to pair with five Ahnfeldt wines.

Napa's Ahnfeldt has been turning out 90+ point winners, a laudable feat for a winery that only began in 2002. Crushing this successful run is enologist and winemaker Craig MacLean who put his talents to work at Markham Vineyards, Cain Cellars and Spring Mountain Vineyard. MacLean's handcrafted wines for Ahnfeldt are made only from grapes harvested from Ahnfeldt vineyards. They show beautiful fruit while offering refinement and complexity.

Check out the amazing lineup here along with the menu and festivities. Not only are you are in for a treat, but you'll also support Well in the Desert, the west valley charity that provides services to seniors and the working poor, homeless and disabled.

Bring a light evening wrap or someone special to keep you warm. Call Kathleen today to reserve at 760.799.7076 and you'll soon be singing Ahnfeldt's praises too.

WinewomenPSP Raise the Roof

For WinewomenPSP and the charities we serve, there's no summer break. Chill out with us at events and activities true to our mission all summer long.

Lend a hand and join us Friday, July 23 as we help raise the roof for those served by Habitat for Humanity of the Coachella Valley. Our wine dinner event will take place at a venue that's new to our organization – Nick Faldo's Restaurant at Marriott Shadow Ridge in Palm Desert. Catch details on our WinewomenPSP website and the Desert Sun online here.

Read the amazing story of our local Habitat for Humanity® affiliate chapter here to discover how partner families contribute "sweat equity" to help build their homes and learn about home ownership.

Call Kathleen at 760.799.7076 to make your reservations today. Help us raise the roof for the next Coachella Valley family helped to help themselves by this great organization!

Rodney Strong Vineyards: Who Knew?

Bellatrix at the Classic Club rolled out a grand welcome for our April 30th wine dinner that featured six outstanding wines by Rodney Strong. Representatives from the Sonoma County winery and director of fine wines Stefen Soltysiak transformed the desert setting into a virtual winery experience, complete with tidbits of history, tasting-room only wines and tales that made each sip all the more enjoyable.

Many wine lovers trace their wine romance with the stories – of people, earth and nature, hard luck, hard work and struggles that all come together in an aromatic glass of deliciousness. This winery has great stories.

Rod Strong was a Balanchine-trained professional dancer who fell in love with the sights and tastes of Parisian life as a Lido dancer in the 1940s. Knowing how unkind age can be for dancers, Strong sought out a post-ballet life for himself and dance partner-wife Charlotte. Read more about their remarkable journey here.

Back to Bellatrix, Executive Chef Gregg Monette turned out five delicious courses punctuated by a raspberry sorbet intermezzo for the six wines:

Sauvignon Blanc 2008, "Charlotte's Home" – Named for Rodney's wife, this grass-scented earthy white paired well with Chef's flaky mushroom tarts.

Chardonnay 2008, Sonoma County – Part barrel- and tank-fermented, this food-friendly Chard was a table favorite, despite an unconventional food pairing with goat cheese and intensely seasoned vinaigrette.

Chardonnay 2008, "Chalk Hill" – This new release is 100% barrel fermented with aromas and flavors of toasty oak. Round and rich, it was served with soy/sake-marinated halibut with lump crab crust.

Pinot Noir 2008, Russian River Valley – Aromas of rose petals with black cherry flavors and delicate clove-scented spice on the finish. More, please.

Meritage 2006, "Symmetry" – The winery's flagship wine is a hand-sorted Bordeaux-styled Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend with 10% Malbec, 8% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot aged in French oak for 21 months. A luscious pairing for grilled filet mignon with mushroom ragout.

"Gentleman's Port," 2006 Sonoma County – A winery-only pleasantly sweet and silky curtain call made from Zinfandel, Syrah and Petite Sirah served with chocolate sweets, macaroons, berry crumbles and other delicacies.

As though the restaurant's majestic setting, décor and a roomful of VIPs weren't enough, our 100-strong group also enjoyed piano music by impressive 13-year-old Colt Bosson. Thanks to Gigi Muth and our April charity, the American Heart Association's Go Red For Women campaign, the Auen family, PGA general manager Greg Rubino, Christine Paxton and all who made this evening a huge success. Enjoy their Roses and Rosé Mother's Day brunch at Bellatrix tomorrow!