Following a Successful 2011 Vintage and a Celebratory Launch Event at Baryshnikov Arts Center in New York City, Luce 2012 Arrives with Fanfare
New York, NY, May 19, 2015 – Luce della Vite has released its 2012 vintage to the US market. The expression, which marks the winery’s 20th harvest, debuts with new black and gold packaging and a new retail price of $120. The wine is imported by Folio Fine Wine Partners and is available nationally.
Luce started in 1993 as a partnership between iconic winemaking names Robert Mondavi and Vittorio Frescobaldi. The first-ever blend of Merlot and Sangiovese to emerge from Montalcino, Luce has endured as an innovative and celebrated blend of Old and New World styles. To introduce the 2012 vintage, Luce is partnering with Baryshnikov Arts Center (BAC) as a fellow champion of artistic innovation and risk-taking.
On May 5, the sons of the original founders, Lamberto Frescobaldi and Michael Mondavi, hosted a launch event for the 2012 vintage at BAC. Guests were treated to a special performance of Merce Cunningham’s RainForest by the Stephen Petronio Company, with décor by Andy Warhol and music by David Tudor. Cunningham was a prominent leader in the field of contemporary dance, and Mikhail Baryshnikov’s friend and collaborator. He helped redefine the creative limits of dance, much like the Frescobaldis and Mondavis created a new understanding of winemaking through Luce.
“My father always had a dream to make a great wine in Italy, but it needed to show all we had learned making wine at home in California,” said Michael Mondavi. “Luce has clarity and power but is still elegant and reserved; the balance between our two worlds. Twenty years later, it’s exciting to see how the wine has matured and evolved.”
“I love the way Luce has grown. It’s elegant and graceful but vibrant and full of light,” said Lamberto Frescobaldi. “When you start on the journey of making a new great wine, you never know where you’ll end up. Much like a work of art.”
To support Merce Cunningham’s legacy and the work he achieved with his artistic partner John Cage, Luce will hold a wine auction at Christie’s New York on June 18 during “luxury week” and donate 100% of the proceeds to BAC’s Cage Cunningham Campaign. The auction lots will include a 20-year retrospective of Luce wines, large-format bottles and a VIP tasting. Guests of the event will have the opportunity to taste through eight Luce vintages.
For more information or materials regarding Baryshnikov Arts Center, please contact Kristen Miles at kmiles@bacnyc.org. For more information or materials regarding Luce della Vite and the May 5th event, please contact Maggie Doherty at mdoherty@colangelopr.com. For more information on Christie’s, please contact Kendall Galant at kgalant@christies.com.
About Luce Della Vite – lucedellavite.com:
Luce started with vintage 1993 as the collaboration between the families of Vittorio Frescobaldi of Tuscany, Italy, and Robert Mondavi of Napa, CA. The objective of these two great winemaking families was clear: combine their cultures and passion to create exceptional wines in Montalcino, Tuscany. Today the Luce della Vite estate is owned by the Frescobaldi family with a few minority shareholders. Lamberto Frescobaldi continues the original vision of the founders, producing unprecedented, unique wines from the exceptional terroir of Montalcino. Located southwest of the medieval town of Montalcino, the Luce della Vite estate covers 474 acres of land, 74 of which are vineyards. Most of the vineyards were planted in 1977, while new plantings were added in 1997 and 1999. Dating back to the Renaissance, the Frescobaldi family has been in the forefront of promoting and supporting the arts for six centuries.
About Baryshnikov Arts Center – www.bacnyc.org:
Baryshnikov Arts Center (BAC) is the realization of a long-held vision by artistic director Mikhail Baryshnikov to build an arts center in Manhattan that would serve as a gathering place for artists from all disciplines. BAC’s opening in 2005 heralded the launch of this mission, establishing a thriving creative laboratory and performance space for artists from around the world. BAC’s activities encompass a robust residency program augmented by a range of professional services, including commissions of new work, as well as the presentation of performances by artists at varying stages of their careers. In tandem with its commitment to supporting artists, BAC is dedicated to building audiences for the arts by presenting contemporary, innovative work at affordable ticket prices.
About Christie’s – www.christies.com:
Christie’s is a name and place that speaks of extraordinary art, unparalleled service and expertise, as well as international glamour. Founded in 1766 by James Christie, Christie’s has since conducted the greatest and most celebrated auctions through the centuries providing a popular showcase for the unique and the beautiful. Christie’s offers around 450 auctions annually in over 80 categories, including all areas of fine and decorative arts, jewellery, photographs, collectibles, wine, and more. Christie’s also has a long and successful history conducting private sales for its clients in all categories. Christie’s has a global presence with 53 offices in 32 countries and 12 salerooms around the world including in London, New York, Paris, Geneva, Milan, Amsterdam, Dubai, Zürich, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Mumbai. More recently, Christie’s has led the market with expanded initiatives in growth markets such as Russia, China, India and the United Arab Emirates, with successful sales and exhibitions in Beijing, New Delhi, Mumbai and Dubai. Christie’s is the world’s leading art business with global auction and private sales in 2014 that totalled £5.1 billion ($8.4 billion USD), making it the highest annual total in Christie’s history.
