Week in Review: Christian Louboutin, Art Silicon Valley, PlumpJack and Napa Valley Film Festival

Photos by Drew Altizer

Wondering what haute San Francisco Bay Area events you missed recently? Well, we have all the tidbits right here for you so you’ll know what’s gone on as you head into your fun-filled weekend. The grand opening celebration of Christian Louboutin’s first San Francisco boutique highlighted a week’s worth of events that also included Graff saluting the inaugural Art Silicon Valley/San Francisco, a PlumpJack Reserve Winemaker Dinner and the First Look at the Napa Valley Film Festival.

Christian Louboutin Celebrates the

Opening of its First San Francisco Boutique

Christian Louboutin himself was not on hand for an event billed as the opening of the brand’s boutique on Maiden Lane in San Francisco but that didn’t stop a gaggle of glamour girls, led by host Sloan Barnett, from enjoying a spirited evening at the four-month-old store on Sept. 16. Men and women in red-soled shoes sipped Veuve Clicquot champagne and nibbled on bites from Taste as they shopped for a good cause. The evening benefited California Pacific Medical Center Foundation and was so popular that shopping wasn’t easy. Therefore, the store has graciously extend its donation of 10% of sales to CPMC through Sunday. So hurry in and shop without guilt for a good cause. Your purchases will go toward a great donation and new equipment for CPMC.

Graff  Salutes Art Silicon Valley/San Francisco

Photos by Drew Altizer Photography

On Sept. 17, the glittery Graff boutique in downtown San Francisco was the perfect setting for Art Silicon Valley/San Francisco, expected to dazzle the Bay Area in its inaugural edition Oct. 9-12. The Columbus Day Weekend event marks Art Miami’s first international, contemporary and modern art fair on the West Coast. Centrally located between Silicon Valley and San Francisco, the fair will present 75 of the world’s most respected galleries and art institutions, representing 750 artists from 42 countries including Italy, France, Germany, England, The Netherlands, Finland, South Korea, Switzerland and Venezuela, among others.

Robert Atkinson, manager of Graff San Francisco, and Art Silicon Valley/San Francisco Directors Nick Korniloff and Pamela Cohen hosted Wednesday’s VIP preview event, which drew glitterati that sparkled. For more information on the fair, which will spotlight investment quality works of art alongside important emerging and new media artists, visit Art Silicon Valley/San Francisco,

  PlumpJack Reserve Winemaker Dinner

Photo Credit: Courtesy PlumpJack Winery

PlumpJack Winery lovers from Southern California, San Antonio and Alexandria, Va., were among the diners who were treated to PlumpJack Winery co-founder Gordon Getty’s singing when they gathered at CADE Estate in Napa Valley for the 2011 PlumpJack Reserve Winemaker Dinner on Sept. 12.

Celebrity chef Michael Chiarello of Bottega created the menu, which began with creamy burrata and torn figs paired with a 2013 CADE Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc. Guests then moved on to the primi piatto of rigatoni pasta with braised rabbit, paired with the 2012 PlumpJack Syrah then a secondo of smoked and braised shortribs with the 2011 PlumpJack Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. The grand finale was a manchego cheesecake with a 2012 PlumpJack Merlot.

Getty then stood and led the diners in singing “Happy Birthday” to one woman who received the dinner as a birthday gift from her mother, who was also on hand. But the real treat came when Getty belted out music from Plump Jack, the opera he composed and which is available on CD.

Before the dinner got underway, PlumpJack Winery co-founder Gavin Newsom shared history of how the winery came to be and his special relationship with Getty. The winery’s general manager John Conover, winemaker Aaron Miller and CADE winemaker Danielle Cyrot also spoke to the guests who came from near and far to enjoy this special evening.

First Look: Napa Valley Film Festival

Photo Credit: Gustavo Fernandez

The Napa Valley Film Festival gave the Silicon Valley its “First Look” preview of the upcoming festival on Thursday, September 11, 2014 at the historic Morgan Estate in Los Altos Hills, owned by venture capitalist Kelly Porter. The party also served as a launch party for the Silicon Valley Patron Circle, a VIP program supporting the festival with benefits including exclusive access, events, parties and opportunities to meet premium vintners, chefs, filmmakers, producers and celebrities.

Over 200 VIPs attended the sold-out soiree sponsored by Harrell Remodeling, including emcee Billy Bush, host of “Access Hollywood,” co-chairs Carissa Ashman and Catherine Marcus, Pitch and Cathie Johnson, Sarah Harbaugh, Joel Goodrich, Bella Babot, Richard Baer of Legacy Capital Group, Stephanie Argyros of Newport Beach, film financier Michael Bassick, Steve and Michelle Kirsch, Sandy Littlefield, Stefanie Lingle Beasley, Todd Olson of Wheels Up flight charters, film producer J. Todd Harris, Bill Somerville of PVF, with festival founders Marc and Brenda Lhormer, known for producing the iconic independent film “Bottle Shock.”

The event began at the red carpet entrance with champagne served upon check in. Brooklyn’s rising music star Grace Weber performed for guests in the expansive grounds of the English manor garden. Her soulful songs included “Oil and Gold” at sunset and created the perfect tone for the program that followed. Benchmark Wine Group provided rare wines from Bordeaux and Napa Valley and Estate Events by Meadowood Resort provided custom cocktails designed for the evening by master mixologist Scott Beattie to pair with a menu including lobster arancini, cap of rib eye and a sumptuous cheese, chocolate and macaron station. Guests took their seats and enjoyed sea salted caramel popcorn and a preview of the festival and patron program.

Filmmaker Kelly Cox and Microsoft’s Rane Johnson presented an excerpt of their upcoming film, “Big Dream” which addresses the gender gap, a critical issue in technology and timely topic in the Silicon Valley. The inspiring film chronicles women throughout the world who will stop at nothing to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math. The first screening of the completed film will be at the Napa Valley Film Festival, taking place Nov. 12 -16 in four villages (Napa, Yountville, St. Helena and Calistoga). For information or to buy passes, visit http://NapaValleyFilmFest.org or call 707-226-7500.

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