Frederick's Memory

My favorite memory at Blackberry Farm was during the Finale Dinner of the 2016 Hospice du Rhone Weekend. I was sitting at dinner with my friend Clémence Lelarge of Champagne Lelarge-Pugeot, my organic, grower Champagne producer. At the adjacent table was Jean-Paul and Chantal Daumen, owners of Domaine de la Vieille Julienne and some of my favorite people in the world to be around. We had started the night with 2005 Lelarge-Pugeot Quintessence, and, at dinner, the last course, prepared by Chef Frank Stitt, was served with 2006 Vieille Julienne Châteauneuf-du-Pape from magnum. I watched my growers speak in English to all of the guests and, completely spontaneously, add very special auction items to the auction that was taking place that night. The evening was electric! I can still see the big smiles on the faces of Jean-Paul, Chantal, and Clémence that night. The night ended with more champagne and a special performance in The Barn by one of my favorite singer/songwriters, Amos Lee. It was absolutely perfect! Everything that night was absolutely perfect!