Sat. April 22: The road to Côtes Du Coeur is paved with big hearts
Dallas, TX (March 2017) – It is time to open the social scene datebook and mark April 22, 2017, for one of the most anticipated events of the year – Dallas Côtes du Coeur! Held at The Omni Hotel in Dallas, the event series leads up to an annual fine wine auction and celebrity chef dinner attended by more than 1,200 of Dallas’ most generous individuals who make formal look fabulous.
(Featured photo: Michael “Buzzy” Zeve, David Holben, the Phillips Family with Steve Grimshaw, Richard Chamberlain, Kevin Garvin.)
One of Dallas’ power pairs, Kelly and David Pfeil, lead this year’s Gala as co-chairs.
“Our support of the American Heart Association is both highly personal and professional,” says Kelly. “We have lost three immediate family members to heart issues, Dave’s brother had a valve replacement and his father, after two heart attacks, has six stents.”
“Kelly’s career as a PhD scientist in research and development of food and beverage was devoted to heart healthy products by eliminating and reducing trans and saturated fats and reducing sugar and sodium with Coca-Cola and Frito Lay,” adds David. “Our common desire to save and improve lives keeps us involved with the work of the AHA.”
The lifesaving mission of the American Heart Association is to build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.
“Cardiovascular diseases claim more lives than all forms of cancer combined so this isn’t something we can ignore,” says Melissa Cameron, Executive Director of the American Heart Association, Dallas Division. “The funds raised at Côtes du Coeur go directly towards cardiovascular research and heart health educational programs both locally and nationwide.”
During its more than 25-year history, Côtes du Coeur has attracted more than 22,000 attendees and has raised more than $30 million, making it the number one fundraising gala in the nation for the American Heart Association.
The big bottle party kicked off the pre-party series on January 26th with the price of admission being a generous heart and a big bottle of wine at the home of Pam and Mark Okada. These large format bottle donations were gathered for the “big bottle alley” section of the silent auction at the Côtes du Coeur gala. Next on the calendar, was the February 19th Chef Announcement Party at the Wolf/Subzero Showroom, where Chef Chair Richard Chamberlain, one of America’s leading chefs, had the honor of introducing the team of celebrity chefs for the upcoming gala. In front of a crowd of donors and long-time supporters, the chefs announced the delectable bites they would be serving the night of Côtes du Coeur as well as their wine pairings.
Coming up on the schedule is the Catalog Preview Party on March 30th at the home of Tucker and Rich Enthoven. This party focuses on previewing the auction catalog and packages. Wine Chair Steve Ellis will guide top level sponsors and donors through the highlights and “auction lots to watch.”
So, who’s who with Côtes du Coeur?
The Event
Kelly and David Pfeil will serve as the 2017 Côtes du Coeur Gala Chairs. The Executive Leadership Team Chair (ELT) is Barbara Smith, President and Chief Operating Officer of Commercial Metals Company. Tim Gallagher, Chairman of Electronic Transaction Consultants Corporation, is serving as ELT Vice Chair. Cindy Fox leads the way in the wine auction as Auction Chair.
The Food
Chef Chair Richard Chamberlain, from Chamberlain’s Steak & Chop House and Chamberlain’s Fish Market, leads the celebrity chefs which include: Chef Aaron Staudenmaier: Shinsei, Lovers Seafood and Market, Jim Severson: Sevy’s Grill, Dean Fearing: Fearing’s Restaurant, The Ritz-Carlton, Kevin Garvin & Anita Hirsch: Neiman Marcus, David Holben: Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House, John Tesar: Knife, Dan Landsberg: Dragonfly, Carl Murray: NOBU, Garth Blackburn: Sub-Zero/Wolf Showroom, Gerard Thompson: Rough Creek Lodge & Resort, Donald Chalko: Omni Dallas Hotel, Matt McCallister: Filament & FT33, Stephen Rogers: Gemma, Alex Astranti: Uchi, Angela Hernandez: Top Knot, Jody Denton and Stephen Kalil: Frito-Lay Kitchen and Chad Houser: Café Momentum.
The Wine
Steve Ellis and Howard Mudrick serve as Wine Advisory Co-Chairs with Georgia Davis, Kim Bannister and Cindy Fox leading the Auction.
This year’s Tête du Cuvée winner is Merry Edwards of Merry Edwards Winery and the event will also feature wines from B Cellars, Barnett Vineyards, Beaulieu Vineyards, Beringer Vineyards, Château Minuty, Checkerboard Vineyards, Clos du Val, Domaine Paul Blanck, Egelhoff Wines, Ehlers Estate, Etude House, Hall and WALT Wines, Herb Lamb Vineyards, J. Bookwalter Winery, JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery, Loring Wine Company, Macauley Vineyards, Modus Operandi Cellars, Montagu Wines/ Silver Ghost, Mullan Road Cellars, Ramey Wine Cellars, Red Mare Wines, Schweiger Vineyards, Sequoia Grove, Stewart Cellars, Torii Mor, Trujillo Wines, Turnbull Wine Cellars and W&J Graham.
For a full list of the leadership team, chefs and wineries or for more information on the event and how to purchase tickets, please visit www.DallasWineAuction.com/tickets. #cotesducoeur
About Côtes du Coeur
The Côtes du Coeur event series is a premiere fundraising campaign hosted annually in Dallas, Texas to benefit the American Heart Association (AHA). Sponsored by the Dallas Division of the AHA, the event series leads up to an annual fine wine auction and celebrity chef dinner. This culminating black-tie gala event is the largest of its kind, making it the number one fundraising gala in the nation for the American Heart Association. Proceeds from Côtes du Coeur go directly to the AHA for cardiovascular research and heart health educational programs both locally and nationwide. During its 25-year history, Côtes du Coeur has attracted more than 22,000 attendees and has raised more than $30 million. #cotesducoeur
About the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association
The American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association are devoted to saving people from heart disease and stroke – the two leading causes of death in the world. We team with millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies, and provide lifesaving tools and information to prevent and treat these diseases. To learn more or to get involved, call 214.441.4200, visit heart.org/dallas or follow us on Facebook and Twitter. #Dallasheart
Items from the Live and Silent Auction Catalog:
The City of Lights – a Private Parisian Tour
The winning bidder will gather a group of up to 20 people, or a more intimate group if you prefer, to have the Louvre and Palace of Versailles all to yourself!
THE LOUVRE – The Louvre averages just under 30,000 visitors per day. Often crowds are 15 deep in front of the Mona Lisa. BUT, your group will wander the Louvre filled with works by the world’s greatest artists without any distractions. Crowds will not obscure your appreciation for Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, Michelangelo’s Dying Slave, the Winged Victory of Samothrace or the Venus de Milo. Delight in 3 hours (6:30 to 9:30 pm) of uninterrupted bliss in the largest museum in the world.
THE PALACE OF VERSAILLES – The next afternoon (or previous afternoon), experience the approximately 2,000 acres of Palace of Versailles’ incredibly beautiful gardens. From 2:30-5:00 pm, marvel at the symmetry of the Gardens, enjoy the fountains, tour the stables, and contemplate what it took to create such a marvelous estate.
Behind the Scenes with Filmmaker Ken Burns
Shadow Emmy Award winning Ken Burns and the writers, producers, and other film makers that work with Ken producing amazing films of America’s history at his studio in Walpole, New Hampshire. View clips of upcoming films such as The Vietnam War and Country Music.
Montana Mountain Retreat
Embrace nature’s beauty as your group of 8 fish, hike and explore the mountains of Montana. Relax in a beautiful 4-bedroom, 2 cabin home by the natural treasure of Flathead lake. Explore the Glazier National Park or sail to Big Fork, Crazy Horse Island for excursions during your 6 night/ 7-day retreat.
Experience Russian River Valley’s Merry Edwards
Experience the sights, sounds and tastes of the world-renowned Russian River Valley during a three (3) night stay at Merry Edwards’ extraordinary new guest house in Forestville. Your group of eight will be treated to a VIP winery tour and tasting at Merry Edwards winery. Enjoy a relaxed dinner with Merry and Ken paired with library wines selected from their cellar. A true wine lover’s dream and a once-in-a-lifetime getaway featuring one of the greatest wine producers in California!
Photos courtesy American Heart Association.
