The SOMM Journal

June / July 2018

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94 { THE SOMM JOURNAL } JUNE/JULY 2018 MANY OF YOU are aware that SommFoundation has a wine cellar consisting of col- lectable and rare wines from Burgundy, Bordeaux, Rhône, Piedmont, and Napa Valley. We have been using these wines around the country at educational dinners and wine forums, as well as various seminars, for more than 15 years now. Proceeds from these events fund our scholarship and enrichment programs for the benefit of aspiring sommeliers. We provide wine for fundraising and informational events at the TEXSOM International Wine Awards, the Aspen Food & Wine Classic, the Boulder Burgundy Festival, Big Sky Resort's Vine and Dine Festival, Tarbell's, Compline, World of Pinot Noir, and the Rudd Roundtable, just to name a few. Some of you might ask: Where does all of this wine come from? Many years ago, during my studies for the Master Sommelier exam, I met Jeff Johnston. He became one of my regular clients in restaurants that I managed in Aspen, Colorado, in the late '80s and early '90s. Jeff loved food and wine. The owner of an impressive cellar with some of the finest collectible wines in existence, he took a genuine interest in our wine studies and became involved with our tasting group. Jeff regularly hosted us at his home, graciously opening some of the oldest and rarest wines in the world to taste with us. We drank all the greats with him: Wines we opened often included Domaine de la Romanée-Conti La Tâche, Château Le Pin, Château Rayas, and Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Ermitage Cuvée Cathelin. All of us in the group were astounded by Jeff 's generosity, and he became a great friend and mentor to me. A Cellar is Born HOW SOMMFOUNDATION'S OLD AND RARE WINE CELLAR CAME TO BE—AND HOW YOU CAN HELP FILL IT A trio of incredible wines from the Rhône unearthed from SommFoundation's cellar. The three Master Sommelier Founders of the Guild of Sommeliers Education Foundation, from left to right: Jay James, Jay Fletcher, and Fred Dame.

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