Jul 13, 2008

Supporters sip in delights of Wine Auction

By Janet Duca Norton / Society Columnist

The 10th annual Sequoia Hospital Foundation Wine Auction continued its tradition of fine wines, fabulous food, good company and a good cause. About 250 hospital supporters and wine collectors turned out for the June 26 party hosted by Sue Burns in her Atherton garden. Burns continued the tradition of hosting, which she and her late husband Harmon had done since the auction's inception.

Co-chairmen Bob Franceschini and Dick Sponholtz and their 12-member committee were pleased with the event's new look and great results. Franceschini said everything fell into place with wonderful weather, a pair of talented musical groups (the Charlie Bulanti Trio and the Savvy Trio) and a new configuration for the silent and live auctions. Proceeds were close to last year's total, $160,000, which set a new record for the auction.

Featured pairings of vintners and award-winning restaurants included Blue Cellars with CoolEatz Catering and Restaurants; Monticello Vineyards with Arguello Catering; Domenico Wines with Tony Flier of Avenir Restaurant Group; Fogarty Winery with Events Etc.; Martella Wines with John Bentley's Restaurant; Fernwood Cellars with Tai Pan Restaurant; in adition to samplings from Whole Foods Redwood City, Half Moon Bay Smokehouse and Woodside Bakery and Cafe. Among those giving rave reviews were Marie Zahn, Huguette Bartels, Frank and Denise Hennig, Barbara and Murray Simpson, and Kathy and Andy Cresci. (Andy donated one of his handmade birdhouses for the silent auction.)

With help from Bill Conklin, professional auctioneer Frank Bizzarro created enthusiasm and competition. A big-ticket item was a wine dinner prepared by master chef Sean Conry to be served in the winner's home, which was purchased by Dr. Don and Jane Fox. Dr. Tad and Heather Nishimura made the successful bid on a weekend of barrel tasting at three wineries in Healdsburg, with an overnight stay at the Dry Creek Inn.

John Ross won the traditional "good luck bottle" of 1978 pinot noir and will keep it for a year. Known as the sunflower wine, purchased at the 1991 Redwood City Sunflower Festival, the bottle is autographed by the winner and donated back to next year's auction. After 10 years the bottle has raised more than $17,000 for the foundation, and is usually won by a physician. Last year's winner Gloria Kennett, who purchased the bottle in honor of her late husband Dr. William Kennett, added her autograph before it was presented for auction.

The evening was a kickoff for a yearlong campaign to raise $1.8 million for the purchase of the da Vinci Surgical System from Intuitive Surgical, the leader in the field of robotic-assisted minimally invasive surgery. The da Vinci technology takes minimally invasive surgery to a new level: it combines precise instrument movement with three-dimensional visualization of the surgical area. Sequoia is the first hospital in San Mateo County to use the da Vinci.

During the silent auction, urologist Dr. Dieter Bruno, who has pioneered the use of the da Vinci in prostate surgery, shared the spotlight with the robot. Guests not only had the opportunity to meet and talk with the doctor, but also took turns trying their hand at manipulating the robotic instruments.

"We're dreaming big," said Glenna Vaskelis, when she introduced the sale of "shares" (starting at $1,000) for naming privileges on the da Vinci, and an accompanying dinner with Dr. Bruno. Al Cleary III and Danford Foundation tied for the opportunity to have their names inscribed on the equipment. Bob and Sue O'Donnell's generous bidding was rewarded with an invitation to the private dinner with Dr. Bruno and the winners.

Richard Pieklo was a walking endorsement for Dr. Bruno and the da Vinci Surgical System. Pieklo had a prostatectomy on June 6 and was enjoying the event three weeks later. Pieklo's wife Monica Wells said she and her husband spent six to eight weeks researching prostate surgery techniques, doctors and hospitals.

"The first thing we chose was the da Vinci, which led us to Dr. Bruno, who is the complete package, second to none, and finally to Sequoia. It all came together after three months of panic," Wells said. To which Pieklo added, "We had the best tool, the best doctor and the best hospital - best, best, best."

Sequoia physicians supporting the event included Dr. Chris Threatt, Dr. Greg Engel, Dr. Rob Patrawala, Dr. Denise Brown, Dr. Beverly Joyce, Dr. Dolly Shoup, Dr. Andy Liu, Dr. Michael Fahmy and Dr. Ed Katz.

E-mail Janet Duca Norton at society@paloaltodailynews.com.