Club Laird Party 2007

     Here at Laird Family Winery in Napa Valley our Wine Club members visit the winery often, and receive discounts and complimentary tastings.  In return, members receive regular wine shipments and special offers.

     To show our gratitude and appreciation to our faithful supporters we entertain them at the winery with a party every summer.  One such party was held last July 14, a warm, glorious day  at the sunny winery.  I would like to share with you the party planning, and how we put it all together. 

     Before we set the date I called Wendy Suvino, an old freind and owner of Bella Cucina, a local caterer.  I had attended Wendy's parties before and was impressed by the food and presentation.  We talked about prospective dates and her availability.  We decided on July 14 because there were no conflicts with Wendy or the Laird staff.  Wendy also helped me with deadlines.  She would need an exact count two days prior to the event, so I would request RSVP from club members a week before the party.

     About 6 weeks before the party date I designed the invitations and contacted a local printing company.  We needed 500 invitations because we wanted to send to all our club members, even out of state.  I printed out address labels using our wine club software, which helped immensely.

     Two days after we sent out the invitations calls and e-mails started arriving from members, mostly from California.  It was exciting to begin receiving responses, and RSVP's kept coming right up until the deadline.

     I had been in close contact with Wendy Suvino throughout the planning stages.  We decided on a menu that would be appropriate for a warm summer afternoon in wine country, as well as one that would compliment our Laird Family Estate wines. 

     Upon arrival at 11:00 a.m. the guests would be offered our 2006 Pinot Grigio, a perfect first wine with the cheeses and fruit we had on display.  In addition to the Pinot Grigio, we planned to pour our 2004 Red Hen Chardonnay from magnums. 

     During the arrival and check-in, Wendy would start up the grill.  Sausages, chicken breasts, and tri tip would be paired perfectly with the Laird Suscol Merlot and Napa Cabernet, which were being poured from magnums.  Wendy's side dishes, that I had enjoyed before, included sweet and smoky beans, caprece salad, Caesar salad, Mediterranean pasta salad, and grilled asparagus.  For dessert we would have chocolate covered biscotti.  We had a plan!

     When the RSVP deadline arrived we had a list of 125 guests!  I informed Wendy of the number, and then it was time to fine tune everything.  I double checked with the party rental company about the number of tables and chairs we needed.   Wendy needed a gas grill, so we rented that too.  Wendy shopped for the meats and prepared all the salads and side dishes two days before the party.  It was my job to buy all the fruits and cheeses and flowers.

     It was fun to shop for 25 lbs. of artisan cheeses at Trader Joe's.  I selected brie, both domestic and imported, some gargonzola, some Stilton, some pepper jack, some pesto cheese (yummy), and some marinated mozzarella. There was a big chunk of some cheddar layered with gargonzola, which was incredible.  I could not resist some Swiss, from the Alps!

    I bought some imported Thompson seedless grapes, both red and white. We also needed some blueberries, strawberries, dried apricots and dried figs.  My checklist included nice crackers, the best disposable plates and utensils, and napkins in hunter green, the color theme for the party.  The morning of the party I was buying sunflowers at the Farmer's Market.

    Everything was falling in to place.  But I had not booked a musician.  I called an old friend about 24 hours before the party, and he was available.  Leigh Wyckoff played a wonderful guitar and sang peaceful, easy music in the background. I was lucky to book him. Sometimes luck is needed!  He was playing a gig at Far Niente that night.

     I had arranged for 8 Laird cellar workers to help with party. They were to do all the moving of tables, chairs, set up, and pouring wine during the party.  The morning of the party they were excellent workers, carrying out the plans I had for the grounds. 

     Rebecca Laird, the Laird General Manager, was present and gave two great tours of the winery and bottling line, where club members each received a freshly bottled red wine.

     The food and wines were wonderful, and the guests enjoyed themselves to the max.  Once the party was over I was greatly relieved.  The party was a success on all levels, and there were a few left overs!  The Mediterranean pasta salad, the day after the party was even better.