Eugenia Keegan

Wow, what an amazing adventure can be had in just a day or two. There is so much culture available in any major city in the US that a weekend of submersion is a lifetime away.

We left Portland on Friday morning, arriving to a clear, warm day in greater Los Angeles. The hills barked back with clarity on one of those precious spring days in SoCal following a cool wind off the ocean. We chose a great priceline deal and stayed in Santa Monica although our event was in Beverly Hills (ah….the beach or Rodeo Drive??? My checkbook says the beach!). After a really spectacular lunch (who knew, a Sheraton?) of shrimp Provençal and heritage tomatoes with burrata cheese and baby basil, we dressed (cocktail casual) and headed to the Beverly Wilshire.

One never knows what one will get when attending wine related events.  Wine guys are asked to donate wine and time routinely. Some events are great, most pretty good, and then there is the occasional bomb. This event, a fund raiser for the Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center,  featuring the Gil Nickel Humanitarian Award was really quite lovely. Gil Nickel, who owned Far Niente Winery in Napa Valley died of cancer in 2003. This award was established in his name as he became a large benefactor to the center that helped him in his fight against cancer.

The president of Far Niente, Larry Maguire (and an old friend of mine from Napa….that was a very fun reunion, one of several!) is a co-chair of the event. In earlier years only Far Niente wine was served but in recent years Larry has moved away from this to other wines, other regions. This year the theme was the wines and cuisine of the Willamette Valley, featuring Oregon Pinot noir.

Wineries included Adelsheim Vineyard, Archery Summit, Beaux Frères, Bergström, Brooks, Bethel Heights, Chehalem, Cristom, Domaine Serene, Domaine Drouhin Oregon, Eyrie, Montinore, Ponzi, Raptor Ridge, and Willakenzie.

Restaurants that showcased their food were The Painted Lady, Wildwood, Lincoln, Beaker & Flask, and The Allison.

After a fabulous walk about tasting with great wine and super tasty tidbits we sat down to a cheese and charcuterie plate, more wine, and a short well executed evening. The auction was lively and brisk and raised almost $1M dollars.  The entertainment was great.

The Gil Nickel Humanitarian Award was given to David Nevins, President of Showtime so there were plenty of Showtime stars there. Laura Linney, star of the comedy “The Big C” handed out the award.

It is impossible to attend something like this and not be touched.  For one evening we are allowed into the lives of people we would otherwise not know.   Everyone there has had to deal with cancer in their lives.  The stories are raw and intimate.  The evening was very moving.

The following morning we headed down to the ocean for a walk along the boardwalk in 75 degree weather and a light breeze. I do love warm weather. We happened into the Saturday market. This being southern California the produce is ahead of the northwest as you will see by my lengthy photo shoot.

The walk was followed by lunch at Junior’s, a true Jewish deli. Then a trip to the Getty with friends Harry Peterson-Nedry (Chehalem Winery) and Didi Nowers. We ended our day with a delicious dinner at a French bistro within walking distance of the hotel. The moon was one day short of full, the air was tinged with gardenia mingled with the scent of the sea.

Sunday breakfast was also in Santa Monica at a true German deli.  We opted out of the weisswurst.  I think David regretted that decision.

The cultural part of the day was spent at MOCA in downtown next to Disney Hall, the architectural conceit of Frank Gehry.  It will be interesting to see how the titanium holds up, but it certainly was beautiful and flowing in the spring sun.

MOCA has some incredible art as part of their permanent collection.  There is one room dedicated to the work of Mark Rothko.  Works included an earlier painting before the large canvases heralding the “abstract expressionist” movement of New York (although Rothko hated that title).  A large Pollock filled one wall.  I looked for the hidden message, but it alluded me.

We finished our visit with a side trip to the Geffen Contemporary.  We stumbled upon opening day of “Art in the Streets”, a tribute to the graffiti artists from the 60’s onward.  All I can say is, “what a trip”!!

I love LA!