An auction called "Diamonds in the Rough" honored Al Brounstein for his 18-year battle with Parkinson's disease and raised $700,000 for Parkinson's research. Over 330 wine lovers attended the event featuring performances by Kenny G and Robin Williams. Rare wines and wine experiences generated top bids of $80,000 for a dinner with Charlie Trotter and wines from 1900-1999. The funds raised and Brounstein's determination to continue his work despite Parkinson's were praised at the event.

1. Diamonds in the Rough
Charity Auction Honors Diamond Creek Founder for Battle With Parkinson's Disease
-Wine Spectator Magazine April 30, 2001
Napa Valley vintner Al Brounstein has long been recognized for his age-worthy Diamond Creek Cabernets but
outside the wine world,he's admired for something else:his courageous 18-year battle with Parkinson's disease.On
Sat., April 28, the Parkinson's Institute honored Brounstein,81,at a dinner and charity wine auction sponsored by
Wine Spectator.
The "Diamonds in the Rough"auction raised an estimated $700,000 to benefitresearch for the neurological disease.
More than 330 wine lovers attended the event at the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in St. Helena,in Napa
Valley.
With saxophonistKennyG providing the music and comedian Robin Williams a few of the laughs,auctioneer Ursula
Hermancinski encouraged bidders to spend freelyon 12 live auction lots, raising $487,000.A silentauction,featuring
more than a dozen wines,broughtin another $116,000.
The top bids of $80,000 each went for two separate lots:a dinner for eight at Diamond Creek prepared byfamed
Chicago chefCharlie Trotter. Along with some gems from Brounstein's cellar,the dinner will feature three wines from
1900 -- chateaus Lafite Rothschild,Margaux and d'Yquem -- and a collection of wines from 1972 to 1999,
commemorating Brounstein's career.
Among the other highlights ofthe live auction,a collection of 15 vintages of Heitz Martha's Vineyard Cabernet
Sauvignon (a vertical from 1973 to 1986, and a 1991 vintage) sold for $60,000.A re-creation of the 1976 Paris
Tasting (in which French wine experts ranked two Napa Valley wines above top Bordeaux and Burgundies) fetched
$65,000.
Marvin R. Shanken,editor and publisher ofWine Spectator, and his wife, Hazel, donated a mixed case of 1974 and
1978 Napa Valley Cabernets,sixboxes of rare cigars,a Flor de Alba Elie Bleu Humidor,three signed
commemorative magazines,and a travel package for two to the New York Wine Experience; the entire package
broughtin $47,000.
A two-day stay at Chateau Pichon-Longueville-Lalande in Bordeauxsold for $32,000.And a 9-liter bottle of 1991
Diamond Creek Lake Vineyard CabernetSauvignon,donated by Brounstein and his wife,Boots,went for $35,000.
Topping the silentauction,a 1.5-liter bottle of 1997 Screaming Eagle CabernetSauvignon sold for $14,000.
Brounstein's cousin,KennyG, performed atthe dinner,and comedian Williams enlivened the bidding for the final live
lot with his zany theatrics,prancing and parading through the crowd like a jester.Their performances added to a star-
studded lineup ofchefs from as far away as London and Australia,headed by Trotter and Thomas Keller ofthe
French Laundryin Napa Valley, who prepared the six-course meal.
Shanken,chairman ofthe event, and others praised Brounstein for his courage,determination and optimistic outlook
on life, despite struggling with Parkinson's.Shanken also thanked Brounstein for his manycontributions to the wine
industry.
Despite the debilitating effects of the disease,Brounstein has always maintained a good sense ofhumor and positive
outlook."I have no intention of slowing down,"said Brounstein,who founded Diamond Creek in 1972 and builtit into
one of California's elite names in wine."I've got enough projects to keep me going another 18 years. Then maybe I'll
slow down."
-Written by James Laube