Lot #1
Banfi Cum Laude, 12 x 750 ml, 2004

Sponsored by by Marcasa Clothing & Meridian LTD

Castello Banfi's newest Super Tuscan cuvee, Cum Laude - Latin for "with honors" - combines 25% of a Banfi clonal selection of the Sangiovese grape with 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 15% Syrah. Each wine is individually vinified and aged 14 months in French oak barriques to develop its unique style, then masterfully interwoven with the others to achieve an elegant bouquet and full, round flavor. Cum Laude is characterized by a rich color and soft, ripe fruit flavors. The wine is complex, with aromas of juicy berries and spicy cherries, as well as clove, anise and black pepper. As a full-bodied red with dense tannins, it marries well with all red meats, hearty stews, pasta dishes and cheeses. Rated 91 by the Wine Spectator.

Lot #3
Rosenblum St. Peter's Church Zinfandel, 12 x 750 ml, 2005

Sponsored by Doug Kirby, owner, State Liquor Store #196

This wine was produced with grapes from St. Peter's Church vineyard. So the wine maker writes: "This wine reflects the relative divinity of the vineyard. This Zinfandel was heaven sent. Ripe cassis and blackberry fruit pervade the bouquet, followed by whiffs of ripe, dark cherries and currants, with elements of chocolate, licorice and menthol. The finished wine shows flavors of blackberry and currant, with hints of cigar box, coffee, mocha and hazelnut, with a defined acid and soft tannin backbone. This wine is the perfect partner for garlic-braised lamb or chateaubriand."

Lot #4
An Evening of Extravagance! Premier Wines with a Gourmet Touch
Tasting for eight with wine service at your home.

Donated by City Vineyard and Thomas Nelson Caterers

City Vineyard and Thomas Nelson Caterers will treat eight people to a wonderful night of multiple course small-plate delicacies complemented by hand selected premium wines. An extravagant evening featuring foods from one of Billings' premier caterers and wines selected from City Vineyard's extensive collection. Perfect!

Lot #5
Mixed Case of Rose Champagnes: Pommery, Dom Perignon, Laurent Perrier, and Bonnaire, 3 bottles each, 12 x 750 ml

Sponsored by the Past Wine & Food Festival Chairs Dona Hagen, Dottie Hollatz, Pat Petersen, Donna Sweeney, Billie Ruff, Ben Ripley, Sharon Weatherwax-Ripley, Evelyn Noennig, Cara Schaer, Jane Howell, Joe Howell

A rare gift for those with distinguished taste. This graceful selection displays the perfect combination of elegance and flair found only in the most marvelous Champagnes. These are intensely flavored Champagnes. The Dom Perignon displays tropical fruit, berry, and citrus aromas, while the Pommery has an excellent nose of peach, citrus, and pear mingled with apricot and a biscuity vanilla edge from its lees aging. The Laurent Perrier is a beefy Pinot Noir-like wine which is rated 91 by Wine Spectator. The Bonnaire is coral pink and is made with 33% Chardonnay, 33% Pinot Noir, and 33% Pinot Meunier grapes. These wines are highly treasured for their taste and much sought after for their very limited production and rarity.

Lot #6
O'Brien Seduction, 1 x 6 liter, 2005

Sponsored by the MSU Billings Foundation

Seduction is a proprietary red blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot. This Bordeaux-inspired blend tastes more like a high-end Tuscan blend with its dark bitter cherry, boysenberry, mulberry, menthol, rosemary, and vanilla notes. It is round and voluptuous, with juicy natural acids and sweet oak tones. This is a beautifully structured, opulent red wine, rich in blackberry, cherry, rum, chocolate and coffee flavors. This wine will age well for 10 years or more.

Lot #7
Copper Cuisine
Customized cooking class with food and wine for eight at the Copper Colander

Donated by Copper Colander and Simply Wine

The Copper Colander and its chef will provide a customized cooking class for eight people. You will work with Chef Cynthia Ware, a graduate of the California Cooking Academy in San Francisco who has recently returned to Billings and is the resident chef at the Copper Colander. The lucky bidder and Chef Cynthia will work together to select a menu or suggest his or her own. Once the menu is chosen, Simply Wine will provide perfect pairings for your evening of fun and food. Please redeem by September 30, 2008.

Lot #8
Joseph Drouhin Clos de Vougeot, 6 x 750 ml, 2003

Sponsored by Dr. Ronald Sexton, Chancellor, Montana State University Billings

The 2003 red Burgundies from Joseph Drouhin have been called "excitingly rich" and worthy of cellaring. Since 1960, apart from the famous Cote de Beaune vineyards, Robert Drouhin has made every effort to develop the estate in the Cote de Nuits, including the Clos de Vougeot vineyard. The 2003 Pinot Noir reflects this attention. A rosy Pinot Noir, ruby in color, it is right in the middle for depth. It displays an explicit varietal character with a pure crisp palate. Can be cellared for 5-8 years.

Lot #9
"Above Columbine and Misty May" by Neil Jussila
Framed, original oil on canvas. Finished piece measures 35" x 51"

Donated by MSU Billings Professor of Art Neil Jussila

Bold and dramatic! Shades of blue, black, white and a touch of red come together in this beautiful original oil by Neil Jussila. This exquisite piece would be a welcomed addition to your collection.

Lot #10
Dry Creek, Taylor's Musque and Estate Fume Blanc, 12 bottles each, 24 x 750 ml, 2005

Sponsored by Shane Farnsworth, owner, State Liquor Store #3

Both cases are 100% Sauvignon Blanc from Dry Creek Valley. "Musque" means both "musky" and "Muscat-like" in French; lots of wine varieties have a "musque" mutation, and Sauvignon Blanc is no exception. In this bottling, the winery elevated the mutation to a program, because one of its contract vineyards had it in abundance. So this is an unusual take on Sauvignon Blanc, one that is highly enjoyable. The scents wafting up from a glass of the Estate Fume Blanc include fresh-cut Granny Smith apple, lime zest, and crushed strawflower petals. You put the wine in your mouth, though, and you get a musky, melony, Muscat-like sweetness that just keeps expanding and lifting despite serious body and palate weight. Though there's no oak in the wine, the finish has a nice, dark dimension - yet somehow it still comes out as a refreshing California Sauvignon Blanc in the end. Statuesque and satisfying. Wine Spectator rates both wines 87.

Lot #11
California Dreaming
Round-trip air transportation, accommodations, car rental, and a Beringer Vineyards winery VIP tour for two

Donated by Albertsons and Beringer Vineyards

Dream weekend to the California wine country! Catch a flight to Napa Valley for a weekend of exploring the wonders of wines and winemaking. Add in two nights' accommodations at the Marriott Napa Valley Hotel & Spa, weekend car rental, and a VIP tour at Beringer Winery - the oldest continuously operated winery in the Napa Valley. What a wine-lovers' delight!

Lot #12
Bilancia La Collina Syrah, 6 x 750 ml, 2005

Donated by Don & Ellen Alweis and Jasons

Bilancia is one of New Zealand's top wineries and La Collina Syrah is its flagship wine. La Collina is not produced every year. This Syrah is deep in color, a deep bright purple-crimson with a violet richness to the hue. On the nose, it's rich, ripe and succulent smelling, with abundant rose pepper and a marzipan overlay to the concentrated sweet berry fruit scents. A huge wine in the palate, floral and spicy, hot and peppery, dry and silky, with red and blackberry fruits, a plushness to the powerful meaty tannins and a lovely depth of dark, savory oak. Violets emerge on the focused, fragrant finish which has excellent persistence and a subtle hint of anise with chocolate and cream. It's very young and needs time to evolve. There's 2% Viognier in the wine, which gives it a Rhone-like character.

Lot #13
Grand Symphony of Color

Donated by Chris and Paige Montague and Jay and Lynne Montague

Bagues is synonymous with modern jewelry. This uniquely beautiful pair of earrings was designed after the Horn Section of the Barcelona Symphony-Spain, from their concert collection. The set features 18K yellow-gold fired enameled earrings with .12 TW diamonds. Some of the components of these earrings "spin" to create a unique look of motion. Montague's Jewelers has once again selected a beautiful piece of artistry to enchant our Wine & Food Festival guests.

Lot #14
Domaine Jean Grivot Nuits St. Georges Boudots, 12 x 750 ml, 2003

Sponsored by Bill Royer and Tim Schruth - UBS Financial Services

Saturated red ruby in color. A deep, complex nose melds raspberry, underbrush, roasted herbs, mocha and flowers. Silky and suave on entry, then fresh and firm in the middle, with sweet red berry flavors dominating. A hint of reduction cannot completely hide the spicy and complex black fruit aromas that lead to round and very rich, delicious, sexy and pure flavors and an abundantly sappy, decidedly punchy finish. This is a seriously impressive wine with firm structure, notable power and fine balance. It will need several years of bottle aging.

Lot #15
Girls' Day Out
Ritual's Dayspa and Salon's "Just Right" package, lunch and dinner for four

Donated by Ritual's Dayspa and Salon and The Granary

Sponsored by the Wine & Food Festival Live Auction Committee

The ultimate girlfriends' day out! A day of pampering with friends followed by an evening of dinner and fun - looking and feeling fantastic! You and three of your friends will start your day of luxury at Ritual's Dayspa and Salon. You each will enjoy an herbal steam, sauna, 60-minute full-body massage, 60-minute pedicure, and a 60-minute elemental facial. To finish your ultimate day of relaxation, you will receive a shampoo and style with light face color. While at the spa, lunch will be served. After your day of luxury, you will enjoy a custom-designed four-course dinner with wines, all provided by Executive Chef Alan Sparboe and The Granary Restaurant. What a great day of friends and fun!

Lot #16
Justin Isosceles, 1 x 3 liter, 2005

Sponsored by Mike Ross & Lisa Larr

The 2005 Isosceles is dark purple, with a slight crimson overtone around the rim. Aromas of boysenberry, leather, mocha, mint and cassis combine with light layers of caramel and vanilla resulting from the extended oak aging. A soft, fruit forward, elegant entry segues into a mild palate with length and complexity. Seamless, integrated tannins marry with ripe fruit, and flavors of coffee, butterscotch and hint of pencil lead on the finish of this wine. Robert Parker writes of this wine, "One of the finest Bordeaux blends (93% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Merlot and Cabernet Franc) I have ever tasted from Paso Robles, it offers glorious aromas of camphor, creme de cassis, smoke, and subtle oak. Voluptuously rich and full-bodied with beautiful purity as well as a sense of elegance, definition, and harmony, this gorgeously proportioned, rich proprietary red should drink well for a decade or more. Kudos to the folks at Justin for a brilliant achievement. 95 Points." The 2005 Isosceles is very young, and will continue to evolve from now through 2025.

Lot #17
Winemaster Lot
Gundlach Bundschu Vadasz Pinot Noir, 12 x 750 ml, 2005

On the palate, this wine is medium bodied and smooth, with flavors of cherry and hints of vanilla. The finish is soft and dry.

Lot #18
"Untitled" by Ted Goerschner
Framed giclee on canvas. Finished piece measures 32" x 38"

Donated by The Frame Hut and Gallery

A beautiful giclee on canvas by artist, Ted Goerschner. This soft landscape with its warm palette will add that special touch of decor to please the eye. Goerschner has taught for the past twenty years in both workshops and art schools. A graduate of the Tamps School of the Art, Goerschner resides in California's pristine Santa Ynez Valley.

Domestic Wine Star of the Show
Lot #19
Chalk Hill Clone Block Chardonnay, 6 x 750 ml, 2003

Sponsored by by Don & Marilyn Floberg and Prudential Floberg Realtors

In 1996, a high-quality Chardonnay vineyard block was planted to 17 different clones of Chardonnay for evaluation. The goal was to select the clones best suited to each particular site at Chalk Hill Estate in order to produce the best possible wine. This is an ongoing research project for viticulturist Mark Lingenfelder and his team.

From the 2003 vintage, winemaker Steven Leveque selected five of these clones to be vinified by identical methods, and then bottled as a demonstration of the varied nature of flavors and bouquet each clone possesses. He also put together a unique blend of four clones to demonstrate how the personalities of individual clones can complement each other in an estate blend. The clones selected for this were U.C. Davis numbers 15, 17, 22, 76 and 95. The set of six wines was specially bottled and is sold only as a set, so Wine Enthusiasts can compare and contrast the results. Only 224 six-bottle wood cases were produced - with only one six-bottle case coming to Montana. This wine is highly sought after due to its limited production.

Lot #20
Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape 1 x 3 liter, 2005

Sponsored by Thomas & Jeanne Vogel

Chateauneuf-du-Pape is a town and commune in the Vaucluse departement in Provence, in southern France. Its name derives from a castle built by the Popes when they ruled from Avignon in the fourteenth century. The 2005 Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape is a wine that probably needs 7-10 years of bottle age. The wine has very high tannins, seems totally closed aromatically, but in the mouth is a weighty wine exhibiting a dense ruby/purple color and tight aromatics consisting of new saddle leather, porcini, meat juices, licorice, tar, and black fruits. The wine is full-bodied, powerful, very tannic, and structured in a dramatically masculine, age-worthy style. Really dense and locked up now, it is packed with dark fig, currant and blackberry fruit shrouded by layers of tar, hot stone, bittersweet licorice and espresso. The long, dense finish has a great tug of iron buried within it. Best from 2011 through 2030. Rated 94 by Robert Parker and 96 by Wine Spectator.

Lot #21
Tahoe Tasting and Cruising
For two people, two nights' accommodations, festival tickets, cruise. Transportation not included.
Tentative date is Friday, November 7, 2008, subject to change - to be confirmed on August 7, 2008.

Donated by the Soroptimist International of South Lake Tahoe

Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Soroptimist International of South Lake Tahoe and the 38th year of "An Evening of Food and Wine Tasting" in beautiful Lake Tahoe. Two lucky people will spend two nights enjoying all Lake Tahoe has to offer. You will attend "An Evening of Food and Wine Tasting" at the Harrah's Tahoe Convention Center feasting on wonderful wines and tasty foods presented by Lake Tahoe's best, and one afternoon you will enjoy a daytime cruise on Lake Tahoe aboard the MS Dixie. Accommodations will be at the Embassy Suites of South Lake Tahoe.

Lot #22
Dinner Fit for Royalty at The Rex
Dinner and wines for six at The Rex with limo service

Donated by Gene Burgad and The Rex Restaurant and Limo Scene & Carriage Co.

Your royal evening begins when the limousine arrives to drive you and your guests to The Rex on Montana Avenue for an evening of extravagant dining. You will enjoy a specially prepared dinner for six, with Executive Chef David Maplethorpe personally overseeing your dinner. Start with cocktails in the bar, then move to the dining room, where your first course will be giant shrimp wrapped with smoked salmon and drizzled with white truffle oil. Nicholas Feuillatte Brut Rose Champagne will be served with the shrimp. The next course will be a Caesar Salad with shelled Alaskan King Crab claw. Mer Soleil Chardonnay will be served with the salad. Your next course will be your choice off The Rex menu; we suggest beef, as the wine will be Caymus Napa Cabernet. Dessert will be a New York Style cheesecake with a 20-year-old Tawny Port. After dinner drinks follow. Your magical evening is complete with your limousine ride home. What a fantastic evening!

Lot #23
Chateau Ste. Michelle Eroica Riesling Ice Wine, 12 x 375 ml, 2004

Sponsored by Rick & Nicki Larson and EBMS

Eroica is the result of a special partnership of German and American winemakers to craft an extraordinary Riesling from Washington State grapes. This is more than a blend of two estates, Dr. Loosen from the Mosel and Chateau Ste. Michelle from the Columbia Valley: it's an intermingling of Old World and New World philosophy and technique. Dazzling in flavor, it displays sure-handed balance of sweet apricot, pineapple, honey and lemon-candy elements against a clean, sharp acidity. Stylish, elegant and amazingly refined, it has 29 percent residual sugar but tastes like one-third of that.

Lot #24
"Pine Jumpers" by Mike Capser
Framed, signed artist's proof limited-edition print, number 6 from an edition of 60. Finished piece measures 19 1/2" x 38 3/8"

Donated by Mike Capser and Toucan Gallery

Bringing the outdoors inside, this signed, artist's proof limited- edition is sure to bring a touch of nature and delight wherever it is perched.

Lot #25
Viader Vertical, 6 x 750 ml, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005

Donated by David Maplethorpe, Executive Chef at The Rex Restaurant

The Viader blend captures an ideal balance between Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. The Cabernet Franc contributes to the early approachability, elegant structure and violet-like aromatics, while the Cabernet Sauvignon adds complexity and character as well as providing the backbone structure for long aging potential. Viader is made from the finest selection of the Viader Vineyard's hillside estate on Howell Mountain. Viader is aged up to 24 months in French oak barrels. Consistently rated in the 90s, the 2001 was rated 94 by Wine Spectator.

Lot #26
Winemaster Lot
Kuleto Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, 1 x 6 liter, 2005

The 2005 California Cabernet Sauvignon rates excellent to outstanding. This vintage may eventually rival 2001. The Kuleto 2005 Estate Cabernet is amazingly deep red and rich in color with flavors of blackberry, black currant and licorice. This well-balanced wine is approachable now, but has the potential to develop into a California superstar.

Lot #27
Rogue Chefs Dinner
Dinner for eight with wine pairings for each course; service at Juliano's Restaurant, Billings, Montana

Donated by Executive Chef/Owner Carl Kurokawa of Juliano's and Executive Chef David Maplethorpe of the Rex Restaurant

Join the Rogue Chefs, Carl Kurokawa from Juliano's and David Maplethorpe from The Rex, for an evening of impeccable dining paired with exclusive wines that are sure to please the palate. The traditional "cigars and conversation" on Juliano's patio will be the perfect ending for this infamous dinner party.

Lot #28
The Art of Food & Wine Palm Desert
Round-trip airline tickets, accommodations and All-Access Connoisseur Weekend Festival passes for four.
Dates: November 6, 2008 - November 10, 2008

Donated by Kelly Holmes

Sponsored by the Wine & Food Festival Live Auction Committee

You and three friends will enjoy a weekend in Palm Desert, California, where you will participate in The Art of Food & Wine Palm Desert. This is a unique four-day celebration that will display the very best in art, food and wine education. There will be featured events such as food and wine tastings, celebrity chef demonstrations, culinary seminars, art, music and shopping is nearby. Your four-day festival pass includes Thursday evening "Food Flights" - an Iron Chef event; Friday Sweet Dreams Party-Poolside; and, Saturday and Sunday Grand Tastings. Take in all that Palm Desert has to offer while experiencing exceptional wines, foods and art - a perfect weekend!

Four travelers will fly on Delta award tickets, leaving Billings on Thursday, November 6, 2008, and returning to Billings Monday, November 10, 2008. You will stay at the beautiful J.W. Marriott Desert Springs Resort, where you can enjoy the amenities of the resort, including golfing and resting poolside - or take a short ride to the world renowned El Paseo Drive, where you will find all the retail and street cafes necessary to enjoy a beautiful day in Coachella Valley.

Can you think of any better way to spend a long weekend?

Lot #29
Terra Valentine Yverdon Cabernet Sauvignon, 12 x 750 ml, 200

Sponsored by Bob & Joan Carr

Opens with sweet black currant, spicy cedar, toasted marshmallow and caramel. On the palate you'll find spicy, lush fruit with a hint of fresh ground espresso. Round cocoa tannins finish off this rich, elegant wine. The Yverdon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is not for sale outside the vineyard. Rated 92 at CellarTracker.

Lot #30
100 Acre Ancient Way Shiraz, 6 x 750 ml, 2004

Sponsored by Morrison Maierle Inc.

If you enjoy a big Shiraz, this is it. Ancient Way marks the inaugural release of this much-anticipated wine from Philippe Melka and Jayson Woodbridge, who make the legendary 100 Acre Napa Cabernet. This single-vineyard, Barossa Valley Shiraz is crafted from select cuttings from Penfold's Grange Hermitage. The beautiful, plump grapes were hand picked just as the 100 Acre Kali-Morgan Vineyard is harvested. This wine is very limited and new, and has just been reviewed. Before it was reviewed, one taster said, "Once it has [been reviewed], prices will skyrocket. It is that phenomenal. ...This wine is massive and dark and richly tannic and will comfortably cellar for 10 to 15 years." Another said "Everything [was] hand crafted, hand pruned, scrutinized and aligned for the desired response: near critical perfection and some of the finest wine known to man." Only 72 cases of this fabulous wine were produced. Recently rated 94 by Wine Enthusiast.

Lot #31
"Afternoon on the Pass" by John Potter
Framed, original oil on canvas
Finished piece measures 19" x 16"

Donated by John Potter and Rimrock Art & Frame

"Majestic" best describes this original oil on canvas by local artist John Potter. This panoramic landscape with serene glacial lakes, rugged outcroppings and warm beckoning plateaus reaching out to distant mountain ranges will add beauty and value to your art collection.

Travel Star of the Show
Lot #32
Caribbean Dreaming
Seven nights in a courtyard suite for four at the Banana Beach Resort, San Pedro, Belize, and a $100 VISA gift card. Transportation not included.

Donated by by Banana Beach Resort and Avanta Federal Credit Union

Watch the sun rise on the Caribbean…walk along the warm sands of Ambergris Caye…Belize — YOU ARE THERE…a journey of a lifetime.

Belize is the democratic English-speaking nation once known as British Honduras. The weather is mild, the beaches beautiful and the history rich. Four people will enjoy seven nights in a Courtyard Suite for four on the island of Ambergris Caye Banana Beach.

Ground transportation to and from the San Pedro airstrip is included. Unlimited activities include fishing, diving, snorkeling, parasailing, biking. Explore all that Belize has to offer…spectacular limestone caves, winding waterfalls, Mayan ruins and temples, tropical rainforests and the second largest barrier reef in the world. Your Caribbean dream will come true!

Lot #33
Joseph Drouhin Clos des Mouches Blanc, 12 x 750 ml, 2003

Sponsored by Laughlin Construction and Yellowstone Woodshop

Clos des Mouches white is a generous wine combining the body of Corton Charlemagne and the elegance of Montrachet. Its hue is bright, limpid, and pale golden. It has an elegantly perfumed nose of smoky citrus with tinges of vanilla. On the palate, the aromas are reminiscent of honey, almond, lemon and, apricot. Beautifully balanced and very appealing now, but should also age well. Best from 2008 through 2015. Only 600 cases imported; rated 92 by Wine and Spirits.

International Star of the Show
Lot #34
Chateau Haut-Brion Graves Rouge, 12 x 750 ml, 2003

Sponsored by Lamplighter Square, LLC

Chateau Haut-Brion is one of five great vineyards whose wines are classified as "Premier grands crus classes" (first great growths), and the only one not located in the Medoc. The 2003 Graves Rouge exemplifies the great tradition of Haut-Brion. It is a blockbuster which possesses extremely high tannin, but that component is well concealed by a cascade of mulberry, blackberry, cherry, and plum-like fruit. There is even a hint of figs under the blue and red fruit spectrum. While broad and ripe with a sweet, glyceral mouth feel as well as a long, powerful, persistent finish, it retains its elegance and nobility. Robert Parker writes, "[it is] a wine of both power and finesse, it will benefit from 3-4 years of cellaring, and keep for 25-30. Rated 95." Wine Spectator says it is "A beauty in all senses of the word," and rates it 96.

Lot #35
Twisted Gourmet Dinner
Dinner and wines with service for ten at hosts' home

Donated by Ben Ripley and Sharon Weatherwax-Ripley, Gene Burgad and Anne Clancy, Bruce and Gayle Whittenberg, Russ and Evelyn Noennig

Ten people will spend an evening at the home of Ben Ripley and Sharon Weatherwax-Ripley to enjoy a gourmet dinner prepared by the Twisted Gourmet Group. Imagine an evening of fine dining, appropriate wines, great friends and no dishes! This will spiral into a memorable evening...with a twist!

Lot #36
Simon Says

Donated by Scott and Kelly Wickam, Goldsmith Gallery Jewelers

Goldsmith Gallery Jewelers is offering a dazzling diamond antique fashion ring from the designer Simon G. Your finger will be adorned with this 18K three-tone ring featuring four round .04 cts TW Yellow diamonds, six round .04 cts. TW Pink diamonds, 20 round .24 cts. TW white diamonds and four princess .16 cts. TW white diamonds (diamond total weight = .48 ctw). Simon says this item will be a striking addition to any outfit.

Lot #37
Perrier Jouet Grand Brut, 1 x 9 liter, NV

Sponsored by Joel & Andrea Long

Shows some spicy yeast complexity and age on the nose but still has a lime and citrus freshness. Freshness is also evident on the palate, which is lively, long, elegant and flavorsome. It displays a great acid backbone. Rated 92 by Wine Spectator.

Lot #38
Winemaster Lot
Kuleto Estates Single Barrel Cabernet Sauvignon, 12 x 750 ml, 2004

In the exceptional 2004 vintage, winemaker Dave Lattin discovered several barrels of Cabernet Sauvignon that were so distinctive and individually expressive of the grape that he determined not to blend them with any other wine. This year marks the inaugural release of four Kuleto Single Barrel wines. Each wine was aged in different French oak barrels. These are small lot hand-crafted wines, right down to the hand-labeled and individually numbered bottles.

Lot #39
"Reserve Stock" by Carol Spielman
Original acrylic on gallery-wrapped canvas
Finished piece measures 30"x 24"

Donated by Carol Spielman

Brilliant shades of red provide this dramatic background for MSU Billings alumna Carol Spielman's signature horses. In the home or office, this beautiful acrylic on gallery-wrapped canvas will be the center of attention.

Lot #40
Mile High Salute
Accommodations and tickets for two and a $100 VISA gift card
October 11-12, 2008. Transportation not included

Donated by Wendy's of Montana, Rimrock Mall and Kelly Holmes

Take off for a Mile High weekend in Denver. You and a friend will see the Denver Broncos vs. the Jacksonville Jaguars football game on October 12, 2008, at Invesco Field at Mile High Stadium. VIP parking and passes to the exclusive Stadium Club will also be provided. This package includes two nights' accommodations for two at the Denver Courtyard Inn - Downtown. Use your $100 VISA gift card to take in one of the many exciting entertainment opportunities - a game of one of the many other professional sports teams, shopping, dinner or cultural offerings of the city. The possibilities are endless!

Lot #41
SCHOLARSHIP LOT

Donated by YOU!

Again this year, we ask our Saturday-evening guests to join in spirited, generous bidding to provide scholarships for MSU Billings students. The scholarships you fund allow us to assist deserving students and reward students who demonstrate outstanding leadership and academic excellence. Scholarships also allow the University to attract and retain talented students. Please raise your bid cards and help us set a new record in 2008!

Lot #42
HEADS OR TAILS

Stand up and have a great time - and possibly win a gourmet dinner for ten in your home! Sodexho's Regional Executive Chef Barry Smith will once again provide our lucky Heads or Tails winner with an evening of fun and dining. You and nine of your friends will feast on Barry's culinary masterpieces in the comfort of your home (wine not included). The perfect dinner party! Please join the fun and help provide additional scholarship dollars to MSU Billings students. Good luck!

Lot #43
MSU Billings Foundation Board of Trustees Lot, 28 x 750 ml

Sponsored by the MSU Billings Foundation Board of Trustees

A mixed lot of 28 bottles of wine, each selected on behalf of one the Foundation's Trustees. These are elegant wines which exemplify good taste; they are premium wines of high value and will be sure to enhance your wine cellar.

Lot #44
Winemaster Lot
Gundlach Bundschu 150-Year Anniversary Cabernet Sauvignon, 6 x 750 ml, 2005

2008 marks the Gundlach Bundschu Sesquicentennial - the 150th Anniversary of the oldest family-owned winery in California. To mark this occasion, Gundlach-Bundschu has created a very special wine. This is a big bold wine with all of the hallmarks of a Gundlach-Bundschu Cabernet. Its limited production and rarity make it a collector's treasure.

Lot #45
Cajun Celebration
Dinner for eight at the home of George and Cathey White with wine and service

Donated by Dr. George White and Cathey White

To eat Cajun is to discover the love and experience the joy of the most unique American cuisine ever developed. Eight lucky people will experience the love and joy of Cajun cuisine when Louisiana natives Dr. George White, Interim Academic Vice Chancellor and Provost at MSU Billings, and his wife Cathey White prepare some of their favorites for you. The menu will include jambalaya, gumbo, fried catfish with hushpuppies and boiled crayfish, potatoes, and corn (crayfish are only available in the spring). All the makings of a great evening!

Lot #46
Orcas Island Fantasy
Seven-day condominium accommodations for up to four people. Transportation not included.
Available between October 1, 2008 - June 15, 2009.

Donated by Sue and Eakle Barfield

Enjoy one week on Orcas Island, the largest of the San Juan Islands, in a luxurious two-bedroom condominium. Orcas Island is a mix of lush forest, farm valleys, placid lakes and stunning mountains, all wrapped around a beautiful fjord. Spend your time whale watching, sea kayaking or golfing. Don't forget to save plenty of time to enjoy the beauty of the island. A spectacular opportunity!

Lot #47
Ridge Montebello Cabernet Sauvignon Vertical, 6 x 750 ml, 2 each of 1990, 1991, and 1992

Sponsored by Alpine Plumbing, Heating & Cooling

These are big, dark Cabernets. They show an open nose with aromas of cherry, eucalyptus, and caramel. Big, forward fruit with flavors of cherry, chocolate, eucalyptus, and mint, with substantial acid and soft tannins, and a long fruity finish. Complex, fruity, fully mature, but holding well. All vintages consistently rated in the 90s, with one reviewer giving a rating of 95 to the 1992 vintage.

Lot #48
Chateau Ste. Michelle Ethos Chardonnay, 12 x 750 ml, 2004

Sponsored by MSU Billings Foundation

Chardonnay from Chateau Ste. Michelle's vineyard at Canoe Ridge Estate made up over half of the blend, along with fruit from their Cold Creek Vineyard. Individual lots were managed separately, allowing the winemaker to identify the best lots for Ethos. Barrel fermented in 55% new and one-year-old French oak for enhanced complexity. Ethos is the pinnacle of Chateau Ste. Michelle Chardonnay; it combines old world complexity and elegance with concentrated Washington fruit. Rated 92 by Parker and 91 by Wine Spectator.

Lot #49
Gramercy Cellars 21 Grams Walla Walla Red Wine, 3 x 750 ml, 2005

Donated by Don & Ellen Alweis and Jasons

Two wineries in Walla Walla, Waters Winery and Gramercy Cellars, debuted their new joint wine brand, 21 Grams, at a showing of Nihonga artists at the Dillon Gallery in New York City in March. This wine is elegant and sultry--in aromatics and flavors alike. Plum, mocha, dark cherry and tobacco dominate the nose and palate, complemented by rhubarb and fig. Bold, elegant, complex, and layered with a nice, long finish, 21 Grams boasts an ethereal balance of fruit, acids, tannins and body; the dark, mystic nature of the bottle, designed by a Nihonga artist, aptly mirrors the contents. While it can be enjoyed young, 21 Grams (2005) will enter its prime in three to five years. The wineries produced only 75 cases of the 2005 vintage Cabernet blend, so it is extremely rare and highly sought.

Lot #50
The Delicious Art of Indian Cuisine
Dinner for 10 with services at the hosts' home. Following the tradition of Indian cuisine, alcoholic beverages will not be served.
Available between August 2008 - May 2009.

Donated by Dr. Tasneem Khaleel & Dr. Shafiq Khaleel

Imagine the sights, the sounds, the tastes of India. Imagine that you are fortunate enough to travel to India and be invited to a wedding feast. What a meal that would be, what a wonderful experience! The lucky winner of this lot will have that experience (along with nine of her friends) - without the jet-lag. They will enjoy an Indian feast with authentic dishes from across the sub-continent. Schedule your Indian feast for the summer months and you can dine in the rose garden. As one guest said, "The meal was superb, the setting fantastic." As the meal is authentic, no alcoholic beverages will be served.

Lot #51
Beringer Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, 24 x 750 ml, 6 bottles each from the St. Helena, Chabot, Rancho de Oso, and Marsten Vineyards, 2002

Sponsored by Larry Petersen and Chuck Hingle, Holland and Hart LLP; John Crist, Crist Law Firm, LLP

A rare opportunity for the connoisseur to obtain wines usually available only through the vineyard. The single vineyard wines are blended to produce Beringer's premier wine, the Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. These wines, all vinified by the same methods, give the Wine Enthusiast a chance to observe the effects of terroir on wine of the highest quality.

Lot #52
Chappellet Pritchard Hill Cabernet Sauvignon, 1 x 6 liters, 2004

Sponsored by Holiday Station Stores

"The full-bodied 2004 Pritchard Hill Estate Proprietary Red (78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Petit Verdot, and 8% Merlot) boasts a sensational inky, ruby, purple color to the rim, as well as broad, rich creme de cassis, licorice, graphite, and spice-like flavors, and a tannic finish. While approachable, it will benefit from several years of bottle age, and should age gracefully for two decades." Rated 94 by Robert Parker.

Lot #53
Culture and Sports...Minneapolis Style
Four $250 travel vouchers from Northwest Airlines, three nights' accommodations and Minnesota Twins tickets for four, and a $100 VISA gift card
Dates: July 18 - July 21, 2008

Donated by Northwest Airlines and Avanta Federal Credit Union

Sponsored by the Wine & Food Festival Live Auction Committee

Travel to the City of Lakes for a fun-filled weekend! This package, for four, provides four $250 travel vouchers on Northwest Airlines toward travel to Minneapolis on Friday July 18, and home on Monday, July 21, 2008. You will enjoy three nights at the Holiday Inn Metrodome. On Saturday, July 19, you will watch the Minnesota Twins vs. Texas Rangers game from lower-level seats - transportation to and from the Metrodome will be provided by the Holiday Inn. Your hotel is located in the heart of culture and sports, so spend your free time exploring the theater district and museums, or just stroll and enjoy the sights. What a great weekend!

Lot #54
Northstar Walla Walla Merlot, 12 x 750 ml, 2003

Sponsored by Jim & Lin Roscoe

Northstar's Walla Walla Merlot is actually a Bordeaux-style blend of 84% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 4% Cabernet Franc. This is a smoothly structured wine that balances dusty malt, dried herbs, and bright cherry flavors and concludes with a long, supple finish. It is a medium to full-bodied wine with a delightful nose of cherry, spice and sage. It is velvety-textured, intensely flavorful, and lush, layered with black cherries, blackberries, raspberries, and spices. An engaging wine which can be drunk over the next six-seven years. Rated 92 by Robert Parker.

Lot #55
Gloria Ferrer Jose's Pinot Noir, 6 x 1.5 liter, 2003

Sponsored by American Drilling - Curt & Sweet Sue Schelle

A silky palate entry opens to flavors of explosive cherry, spice and toasted oak. This is a complex Pinot Noir to enjoy now or lay down for further development. Very limited production in a large format.