“Sweetness, low acidity, and velvety tannins are present in abundance...massive in the mouth as well as incredibly pure and well-delineated...capable of lasting at least four more decades. An incredible achievement,”
These words were used by Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate #183 in June 2009 to describe a bottle of 1990 Château Pétrus recently procured at auction and now being offered at Wilton Library’s “Beyond Words” benefit on Friday, April 1.
Rated a perfect 100 points by Parker, a case of this same wine sold for more than $70,000 at the December 2010 Acker Merrall & Condit Auction in Hong Kong. According to Ed Romer, auction co-chair for the library’s event, “This bottle has impeccable provenance…it was acquired at auction directly from the Verlin Collection.” He continued, “The person or group who gets to experience this sublime Bordeaux will be delighted with their purchase, which is valued at more than $4,000; and let’s not forget that it all goes to benefit Wilton Library – a win-win for everyone.”
The legendary bottle of Château Pétrus is one of many items that will be auctioned off during the night.
Judy Higby, president of the library’s Board of Trustees and auction co-chair, noted, “We are so grateful to the wonderful people who have so graciously donated outstanding opportunities to make the library’s auction successful. We have an all-inclusive, 5-night stay at the Ranch at Rock Creek in Montana, a luxury destination vacation spot with incredible amenities and extraordinary mountain vistas valued at more than $10,000. For the partiers in the crowd, we have gourmet pizza provided by The Big Green Pizza Truck, which will bring a whole lot of fun to a family or neighborhood block party. And for those who love to see their names in print, mystery author Mary Jane Clark, who recently appeared at Wilton Library, has agreed to name a character in her next novel after a winning bidder.”
From landscape and interior design consultations to signed sports memorabilia, the organizers are making sure there are lower priced items with high appeal – something for everyone.
The live auction with at least five more enticing items and Jon Ellenthal as auctioneer are just a few of the elements planned for the evening. The library is introducing new technology to jazz up the silent auction portion of the event. Using iTouch technology, guests will be able to keep tabs on their favorite auction items without missing a beat on the dance floor or a sumptuous taste of a gourmet dish. With action beamed directly to the iTouch, updates, high bids, pictures and more will be refreshed and instantly in the hands of bidders, eliminating the need for “hovering” that is often seen at other fund-raisers. Golf outings at exclusive clubs, vintage wines and wine tastings, fine dining around Wilton and an early Book Sale Sweep are just a few of the silent auction items that will be up for grabs while guests are mingling and enjoying themselves. All bidders will be able to give to the library whether or not they have bought a particular auction item. At any point in the evening, a person can push a button on the electronic device and make a donation.
“We are so excited about using this technology,” said Robin Roscillo, event co-chair. “It’s just one of the many things that make this benefit ‘Beyond Words’ — just like the library itself.”
Susan DiLoreto, event co-chair added, “We’ve set the bar very high for our first Beyond Words benefit and that is the point. This signature event will become the major annual fund-raiser that supports the library along with the book sale. The proceeds from this night and future evenings will fund the library’s continuing ability to deliver the outstanding programs and services that the community has come to appreciate.”
The evening’s festivities begin at 7 p.m. and include gourmet creations by four local fine dining restaurants – Barcelona, Bon Appétit Café, Luca Ristorante Italiano and Schoolhouse at Cannondale. Dining will be informal with open seating; a limited number of tables for four may be reserved. Music will be provided by DJ Fred Dettmar.
A special thanks goes to The Wilton Bank, the “Epic” sponsor of the event, along with Fairfield County Bank, a “Legendary” sponsor and “Classic” sponsors Country Club Homes, Inc., Deloitte, Gregory and Adams, P.C., HSBC Bank and Michael Smith Architects.
Tickets are $150, $300 and $500 per person with auction scrip provided for the higher priced tickets. To purchase tickets, visit www.wiltonlibrary.org and click on the “Beyond Words” button, call Anne Rowlands at (203) 762-3950, ext. 216 or stop by the circulation desk. Wilton Library is located at 137 Old Ridgefield Road in the heart of Wilton Center.
