MANY THANKS TO
Mallory Cooney, President of MD FAWL and Ashley Grant, President of GSCBWLA
Joe Fernandez, Christina Hudson and Johanna Arbelaez-Perez, partners with Invenio Wealth Management
Special Wine Pourers: Honorable Milton Hirsch, Honorable William Altfield, Joe Fernandez and Ashley Hanke
KTT women volunteers: Latasha Gethers Hines, Katie Mitchell, Alex Giraldo, Lindsey Graham and Chaveli Claver Guzman
STATION 1 – Bubbles
Veuve Clicquot Brut
Barbe Nicole Clicquot Ponsardin was born in 1777, the daughter of a textile manufacturer in Reims, Champagne. Widowed at the age of only 27, she took control of her own destiny and became one of the first modern entrepreneurs. In an era when women were excluded from the business world, she dared to assume the head of the company founded by her father-in-law in 1772, a role she undertook with passion and determination. Through her creativity, fierce perseverance and business acumen, she was able to transform her family’s failing wine making business, taking it from the brink of bankruptcy to one of the most celebrated and sought after brands.
Her creativity and lust for innovation led to many firsts in Champagne: the first known vintage champagne; the invention of the riddling table; the first known blended rosé champagne. These three inventions revolutionized champagne making and were widely adopted by producers, becoming the basis of modern champagne production.
Madame Clicquot made her name into a brand of excellence and had it shine the world over. Her formidable contributions earned her the nickname of “la grande dame of Champagne”.
“Dominated by Pinot Noir, it offers a perfect balance of structure and finesse. The initial notes of fruit are followed by more discreet aromas of brioche and vanilla.”
Barbe Nicole Clicquot Ponsardin was recently highlighted in the Netflix movie, “Widow Clicquot.”
Donated by Invenio Wealth Management.
Black Girl Magic California Sparkling Brut
Founded by real-life sisters Robin McBride and Andréa McBride John, McBride Sisters Wine Company is the largest Black-owned and largest all women-founded wine company in the United States. Our mission is to transform the industry, lead by example and cultivate community, one delicious glass at a time.
The sisters were raised across the globe from one another in two of the world’s most iconic wine growing, agriculture and farming regions — Monterey, California and Aotearoa New Zealand. Each thought they were only children until fate united them in 1999 and their discovery of one another, along with a shared love affair with wine, food and culture, sparked a creative and entrepreneurial force. Their fascinating story may be found on their website (link).
“We blend elegant Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay to bring out tropical aromas of pineapple and melon with a subtle floral lift. Ripe and luscious fruit keeps its balance with the delicately tart bubbles, bringing juicy apple, pear, and white peach to the floor. Pair with oysters, sushi, fried chicken and waffles, eggs benedict – or even popcorn and movie night.”
Donated by Invenio Wealth Management.
STATION 2 – Sancerre
Susan Potter Norton has more than 40 years of experience in labor and employment law and is a shareholder in the Allen Norton & Blue firm in Coral Gables, Florida (bio link). She has been heavily involved in our community and was the first woman President of the Orange Bowl Committee; Chair, Florida Philharmonic Orchestra; Chair, Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce; Chair, International Women’s Forum; and Executive Committee of the Miami-Dade United Way. Susan has also owned a second home in the Loire Valley of France where Sancerre is grown.
Susan selected and donated the Sancerres you will enjoy tonight.
2023 Sancerre Acamas
The Acamas de Sancerre dominates the Loire Valley at an altitude of 312 meters. Renamed Domaine du Piton in 2020, following the acquisition By Oddo Vins et Domaines and Pascal Jolivet, the former Domaine Planchon is an estate of exception. One of the few in the heart of the medieval village of Sancerre since 1715. The 7 Hectares of the estate are located on a rocky peak mainly composed of limestone and flint. This wine is on the lighter side, dry with some acidity. Hints of citrus, vanilla and a nutty note, make this a perfect wine to pair with oysters or salmon sushi.
Winemaker Notes: Pale, yellow color with discreet highlights. An aromatic, exotic and fresh nose. Full-bodied on the palate, with volume and freshness that carry through to pleasant length. This classic Sancerre is vibrant and so fresh, with aromas and flavors of green apple and quince with a stony finish that speaks to the special limestone of this celebrated region.
The 2023 Acamas Sancerre Blanc boasts a light green hue and is accompanied by light mineral aromas. On the palate, it offers a refreshing zing of tart citrus flavors. This wine would pair excellently with fresh salmon sashimi. Tasted on October 23, 2025, in San Francisco by Wilfred Wong of wine.com.
2024 Vacherron Sancere
Domaine Vacheron is one of Sancerre’s elite properties, producing white and red Sancerre of amazing purity and definition. The Domaine has been completely transformed over to biodynamic farming. Sourced from hillside vineyards from vines averaging 30-50 years of age around the town of Sancerre, with a mix of chalk and flint (silex) soils.
About 20% of the blend is wine from a selection of single-vineyard plots, which gives more complexity (also some wood influence, as the domaine’s single-vineyard Sancerre Blanc wines are aged in larger neutral wooden casks). Hand-harvested. Fermented on indigenous yeasts in a combination of cement and stainless steel tank; aged in tank. Unfiltered. Aromas of grapefruit zest and gunflint. Flavors of lemons and limes, sea salt, crisp pears.
“On the nose, the wine offers elegant and restrained aromas of green apple, citrus peel, and unripe gooseberries. With a little air, delicate herbal notes like nettle, wild mint, green tomato, and freshly sliced pepper emerge, showcasing the unique Loire terroir. On the palate, this Sancerre is crisp and invigorating, delivering flavors of lemon, lime, sea salt, and fresh pear. The pronounced minerality and herbal freshness provide a stimulating and lively drinking experience. The finish is long, refined, and clean, perfectly capturing the classic purity and elegance that Domaine Vacheron is known for.” – winelibrary.com
STATION 3 – Other Whites and a Rosé
2023 Theopolis Symphony
This exquisite, dry white wine warms the glass with notes of peach candy, basil, and spicy lychee fruit. The soft palate greets you with crisp acidity and generous tropical fruit. The wine finishes with toasty creaminess and subtle spice.
This wine is rich, with aromas of peach, pear, guava, dried spice and potpourri on the nose. Flavors on the palate are dried apricot, pink grapefruit and mandarin-orange cream, wrapped around dried herbs, candied ginger and a dry, mouthwatering finish. Pair with chicken and Thai basil tagine. Tonya Pitts of wine Enthusiast – 93 points.
Silver medal at 2025 Boston Wine Competition.
Donated by John Kozyak and Barbara Silverman, who have become friends with Theodora Lee.
2023 La Socla Gavi dei Gavi
The most traditional Gavi is vinified from grapes of exuberant young vineyards located in the heart of Rovereto of Gavi in Piedmont, Italy, which is known worldwide as the “Gran Crù of Gavi”. The perfectly balanced aging lends the wine its typical fresh, dry taste. This wine is straw colored and is 100% Cortese grape.
Critic tasting note: (2024 vintage) “Crushed stones, fresh hazelnuts and stone fruit on the nose. It’s fresh and mineral with a medium body and a clean finish. Drink now.” – James Suckling
Ashley Hanke, a lawyer who specializes in liquor and cannabis law and who worked on a vineyard in Tuscany, will be at the tasting discussing this wine.
Donated by Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits.
2024 Chateau D’Esclans Rock Angel Rosé
Famous Star Rosé is from Château d’Esclans from Provence in Southern France. It has won many prizes all over the world. The grapes are harvested early in the morning and were selected three times. Part of the wine matured in 600-liter oak barrels. Multi-faceted bouquet with notes of yellow and red fruits, plus Mediterranean herbs and a cool mineral touch. Rich on the palate, deep, with a sophisticated structure, freshness and graceful enamel in the long finish. It is a blend of Granache and Rolle (Vermentino).
Ashely Hanke will be discussing this wine as well.
Donated by Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits.
STATION 4 – Reds from Theopolis Vineyards
Theopolis Vineyards is a small lot vineyard and hand-crafted winery located in California’s prestigious Yorkville Highlands of the Anderson Valley. Situated along Highway 128 in southeastern Mendocino County near the border of Sonoma County, the AVA is a highly elevated, rugged interior wine-growing area. It was established in 2003 and is owned by Ms. Theodora Lee, a partner and trial lawyer at Littler Mendelson. Ms. Lee is known as Theo-patra, Queen of the Vineyards.
The wines will be poured by Latasha Gethers Hines, an attorney at Kozyak Tropin & Throckmorton. Latasha concentrates her dispute resolution and litigation practice in managed care healthcare and complex commercial matters. She is also a wine enthusiast who has enjoyed Theopolis wines several times and has met Theodora Lee.
The following three wines from Theopolis Vineyards were donated by John Kozyak and Barbara Silverman, friends of Theo-patra.
2021 Theopolis Cortada Alta Vineyards, Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
Aromas of cranberry, cocoa, leather, and toasted spice enliven the bouquet of this wonderfully complex Pinot Noir. On the palate, black raspberry jam, fresh cherries, and soft notes of pepper are highlighted by firm tannins and a subtle herbaceousness. The wine’s rich body is accented by luscious acidity and a long smooth finish.
Elegance comes with great concentration and muscular tannins in this full-bodied and well-balanced red. Moderate, rounded tannins and some lively acidity balance out deep blueberry and blackberry flavors. No hurry to drink this one. Drinkable now, but best from 2030. James Gordon – 93 points.
The 2021 Pinot Noir Cortada Alta Vineyard is a rich, potent wine. Strong earthy and savory notes run through a core of dark fruit as this imposing, heady Pinot shows off its personality. Time in the glass helps fill out the wine’s fruit more. This rich yet mid-weight Pinot has a ton to offer in an overt style that speaks with authority. Antonio Galloni of Vinous – 92 points.
2022 Theo-patra’s Cuvée Cerise
This complex cuvée is delightful from first encounter to last sip. On the nose, notes of blueberry are complimented by a potpourri of wild-flowers, sage, and perfumed spices. The palate is bright and juicy. Rich notes of preserved cherry, subtle earth, and soft peppery spice transcend to a long, lively finish.
This wine is lively, with aromas of blackberry, blueberry, dried herbs, toasted vanilla and dried florals on the nose. The flavors on the palate are mulberry, Bing cherry and allspice, interwoven with orange zest, bittersweet chocolate shavings, chicory and a dry, mouthwatering finish. Pair with braised lamb shank. Tonya Pitts, Wine Enthusiast – 93 points.
Silver medal in 2024 Boston Wine competition. Silver medal in 2024 San Francisco International Wine Competition. Double Gold medal in 2024 PR%F Awards with 97 points.
2023 Estate Grown Rosé of Petite Sirah
This fresh and vibrant dry rosé greets you in the glass with inviting aromas of fresh cranberry and muddled raspberry. The palate is bright with refreshing acidity. The soft, round body is enhanced by notes of green apples, pepper, and a creamy finish.
This dark-rose-hued wine offers aromas of plum, dark strawberry, lemon cream and dried flowers on the nose. The flavors on the palate are ripe raspberry, Red Vines and dried herbs, layered with orange-blossom honey, orange zest and a dry, supple finish. Pair with grilled Gulf prawns and tropical fruit relish. Tonya Pitts of Wine Enthusiast – 93 points.
Silver medal at 2025 Boston Wine Competition. Silver medal at 2024 Experience Rosé Wine Competition.
STATION 5 – Napa Cabernets
2018 Drinkward Peschon “Entre Deux Mères”
Entre Deux Mères literally translates from the French as “Between Two Mothers” Lisa Drinkward and Francoise Peschon became friends when their children were in the same school in Napa and are now best friends. Each cork is marked “Love Your Mother”. They started purchasing Cabernet Sauvignon in 2000 and ma de these wines through their last vintage in 2021.
Lisa started working at the Vineyard Wine and Cheese Deli in Southern California at the age of 16. She has many years of experience in the restaurant business and she and her husband, Les Behrens, own Behrens Family Winery in St. Helena, where Lisa serves as the vineyard liaison.
Francoise is best known as winemaker for Araujo Estate from 1993 to 2013, she is now a consultant, making the wines for Heimark, Cornell, Accendo, Matt Morris and Piedra Hill in addition to Vine Hill Ranch. Unlike many of Napa’s premier winemaking consultants, known for imprinting a homogeneous style on all the wines they touch, Peschon has no signature stamp. She believes “a winemaker is a means to an end,” she says. “You have to justify the site.”
“92% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Cabernet Franc coming from Turnbull’s Blossom Creek Vineyard in Calistoga, the Moulds Family Vineyard in Oak Knoll, and the Criscione Vineyard in Saint Helena. The grapes were hand-picked and sorted at the winery before fermentation in small tanks and aged in 50% new French oak barrels for 22 months. The 2018 Drinkward Peschon is remarkably expressive. Aromas of black cherry, ripe plums and cassis with savory herbs and fresh leather lead into a generous palate, layered with blue and black fruit, spicy sassafras, and sandalwood. This wine is beautifully structured with refreshing acidity, fine-grained tannins and a juicy finish, reflecting the vibrance and energy of the 2018 vintage in its purest form.” – Acme Fine Wines, St. Helena, CA
Donated by Joe Fernandez.
2021 Levandi Sweetwater Cabernet
A rich and expressive Napa Valley Cabernet, the 2021 Sweetwater highlights the bold structure of Calistoga and the elegance of Coombsville and Oak Knoll. With layers of black cherry, ripe plum, and subtle hints of caramel and licorice, this full-bodied wine delivers a plush texture and a gently firm tannic backbone. Crafted entirely from Cabernet Sauvignon, it’s a classic yet nuanced expression of the vintage.
Alison Doran has been making wines for more than 40 years (link), and she describes this vintage as: Deep garnet with a ruby edge. Aromas of black cherry and ripe plum, with accents of caramel and black licorice. A plush and jammy entry leads into layers of plum and dark cherry fruit. The mid-palate is supple and round, with just enough tannin to assert its Cabernet identity. Long and complex finish, with lingering notes of dark berries and subtle spice.
Donated by Invenio Wealth Management.
2015 Corra
“Celia Welch’s 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon is off the charts. Dense, plush and alluring, the 2015 makes a strong first impression and never lets up. The move towards using more fruit from Pritchard Hill is one of the many decisions that gives the 2015 its incredibly vivid, distinctive personality. Super-ripe red cherry, raspberry jam, espresso, herbs and wild flowers are some of the many notes that develop over time. Moreover, the 2015 has a level of freshness and vivacity that I don’t recall seeing here in the past. At times, the wine’s aromatic nuance suggests an elevated presence of Cabernet Franc. The interplay of exotic ripeness and energy is simply compelling. What a gorgeous wine this is. Vineyard sites are Martinez, Melanson (both on Pritchard Hill), Tietjen (Rutherford) and UC Davis’s Oakville Station. Sadly, yields are down 33%.” Antonio Galloni – 96 points (tasting date: September 2017).
Celia Welch is a friend of John Kozyak and Barbara Silverman and sourced some of the grapes used in this wine from Martinez Vineyards, the owners of which are close to Joe Fernandez, Invenio, John and Barbara. Celia is one of North America’s most significant winemakers (link).
Donated by John Kozyak and Barbara Silverman.
STATION 6 – Other Reds
2022 Kochana Pinot Noir Mil Vistas Vineyard Sonoma Coast
Kochana in Polish means “dearest,” and this wine pays tribute to those dearly beloved folks and the trailblazers who came before us.
The inspiration behind Kochana is to commemorate family members who came before Anie Peszynski-Jones, paying homage to those who have paved the way for the future and sacrificed so much for her, her siblings, and her cousins. Anie is the founder and winemaker of Kochana and her resume sparkles like the sunshine on the waves of the Sonoma Coast, where these grapes originate.
Trained under the watchful eye of one of the world’s greatest winemakers, Thomas Rivers Browne, Anie has honed her Pinot-focused craft in Napa, Sonoma, and New Zealand. The Mil Vistas Vineyard, planted in 1992 just outside Occidental, provides ideal conditions – foggy maritime mornings, cool afternoons, and slow ripening — for producing elegant Pinot Noir from classic Dijon and Pommard clones. Under Kochana’s hands, this Pinot emerges nuanced and expressive, showing a sense of place, balanced acidity, and restrained power.
“The Kochana Pinot Noir Mil Vistas Vineyard Sonoma Coast 2022 offers inviting aromas of wild strawberry, raspberry, and subtle rose petals, with earthy hints of mushroom and sage. On the palate, it delivers smooth layers of dark cherry, brambly berries, and baking spice, balanced by bright acidity and fine tannins. Reminiscent of elegant Burgundy in its vibrant red fruit and lively finish, this Sonoma Coast gem showcases the region’s cool-climate finesse. Supple texture and savory graphite notes add depth without excess weight. Enjoy with roasted duck or mushroom risotto.” – winebounty.com
Donated by John Kozyak and Barbara Silverman.
2020 Fattoria del Pino Brunell di Montalcino
In 2000 Jessica Pellegrini, a volcanic wine lover, established Fattoria del Pino, a small gem in Montalcino. She is the owner and winemaker and makes her wines with the same passion and integrity that she lives her life by. Her wines are created with every detail in mind, they are true to it’s terroir and her unbreakable conviction to organic farming. The way she loves her vineyards show in every bottle of wine created. The winery is located on the west side of Montosoli, one of the most highly reputed Crus in the appellation. The vineyards are planted exclusively with Sangiovese Gross. Jessica’s approach in the vineyards and the cellar is organic, using only natural fertilization without chemical products. In the cellar, the wines are fermented in conventional ways. The wines represent the perfect combination of tradition and innovation in the art of oenology.
“Our Brunello di Montalcino is the emblem of oenological perfection. Produced exclusively with Sangiovese grapes from our vineyards, each bottle of Brunello contains the complexity and harmony of this territory. The long aging in oak barrels gives this wine an extraordinary character, making it an unforgettable sensory experience.”
This wine was selected at a Brunello tasting of approximately 100 bottles. Joe and John did their best to taste many to ensure you’d enjoy the ones he selected.
Donated by Invenio Wealth Management.
2020 Ferrero Brunell di Montalcino DOC
Claudia Ferrero winery is located in Pascena, an estate halfway between Sant’Angelo in Colle and Sant’Angelo Scalo, on the southern side of Montalcino. It is a small family reality born in the late 90s from the shared passion of Claudia and Pablo for vines, wine and this territory. Harvest after harvest, this passion has been passed on to the three daughters, Silvia, Giulia and Pepita, who are dedicated to the project with enthusiasm.
A full-bodied, juicy red with black-cherry, walnut and nutmeg aromas. There’s a distinct roasted-beetroot and currant character to this, too. Very juicy on the palate with ripe tannins.
“Very ripe on the nose, reminiscent of black cherries and crunchy cherries, juicy strawberries and pomegranate seeds. In the background, pink grapefruit and blood orange juice. On the palate, medium-full body, slightly contracted tannins and a medium progression finish.” – Raffaele Vecchione of WinesCritic.com
Donated by Invenio Wealth Management and selected by Joe Fernandez with the same scrutiny as the other Brunello.