The Contemporary Museum – Makiki Heights
2411 Makiki Heights Drive, Honolulu, HI 96822
Main: (808) 526-1322; Exhibition Info: 526-0232; Café Reservations: 523-3362
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release July 7, 2009
Contact: Charlie Aldinger, Director of Museum Advancement;
Ph: (808) 237-5231; Fax: (808) 536-5970; E-mail:
caldinger@tcmhi.org
Web Site: http://www.tcmhi.org
Organic and Biodynamic
Wines Showcased at August Moon
Fundraiser Supports
Children’s Art Education
Beside the art and lovely gardens,
organic and biodynamic wines will be the
main attraction at The Contemporary Museum’s
August Moon Wine Tasting set
for Saturday, August 8, from 6 to 9 p.m. in
TCM’s exquisite gardens and galleries.
Reservations are $75 general and $125
sponsors and are currently being accepted
online at
http://www.tcmhi.org/mi_winetasteevent.htm;
or by phone at (808) 237-5210; or by email
at
gwong@tcmhi.org.
Biodynamic wines are made using the
principle of biodynamic agriculture, which
has become popular practice with grape
growers throughout Europe, Australia, and
North and South America. Many high-profile
commercial growers have converted to this
practice in recent years, with now over 450
biodynamic wine producers worldwide. Rudolf
Steiner (1861-1925) is credited with
starting the practice of biodynamic
viticulture in the art of growing grapes for
wine. Steiner predates the new organic wine
movement by a few decades, and is now famous
for his Agriculture Course, which he
first offered back in 1924. His concepts
include understanding the ecological, the
energetic, and the spiritual in nature. Most
common day principles and practices of
biodynamics viticulture are based on his
original spiritual/practical philosophy.
Today’s biodynamic winemakers make claims of
stronger, cleaner, more vibrant tastes, as
well as wines that remain drinkable longer.
These claims are being upheld in blind
tastings by head sommeliers that frequently
judge biodynamic wines to be superior to
their conventional counterparts.
With the creation of the National Organic
Program by the USDA, an “Organic wine” is
defined as a wine made from organically
grown grapes without any added sulfites.
Wines grown from organically grown grapes
are also often called organic wines and are
allowed to contain up to 100 ppm of added
sulfites.
Bouchaine Vineyards, located in the
Carneros region of Napa Valley, will be one
of the featured wineries. Bouchaine
Vineyards believes in protecting the
environment to sustain our natural
resources. Planting cover crops such as
fescue grass helps with erosion control and
the use of organic compost instead of
inorganic fertilizers are just two ways the
winery practices sustainable farming.
Bouchaine was among the first wineries to
participate in the Napa Green Farm
Certification Program. They also worked
closely with Napa County Resource
Conservation District to develop a long-term
farm plan to conserve natural resources and
protect surrounding waterways. The winery is
less than a mile from the Carneros Creek,
Huichica Creek, and the Napa River and
marshes.
Near the heart of the Russian River
Valley is the Donum Estate, known for their
unique Pinot Noir wines. Donum farms in both
the Russian and Carneros River valleys. This
winery is in pursuit of the ultimate Pinot
Noir, based on the Burgundian grand cru
model. The ranch, farmed by Anne
Moller-Racke, includes over 70 acres growing
varieties of “heirloom” grapes such as
Calera, Martini, Roederer and Swan, Chalone,
and Hanzell. Their wines are being featured
at the South Beach Florida Wine and Food
Festival and the World of Pinot Noir in
Shell Beach, California.
August Moon is being organized
with the help of Kristen Chan, Jeff Finney,
John Koga, Bob Madison, Nate Smith, and John
Staub. In-kind sponsors include A’a Party
Rentals.
Each ticket purchase includes a free TCM
one-year Individual membership, of which $45
may be applied to a renewal or an upgrade to
an existing membership, if you are already a
TCM member, or given as a gift membership to
an individual of your choosing.
Valet parking is free to all who buy
tickets at the sponsor level, and to any 4
ticket holders that carpool together in one
car. Free parking for all others will be
provided at Roosevelt High School with a
complimentary shuttle service up to the
Museum.
TCM’s epicurean and gourmet wine tasting
will feature a hand-picked selection of
organic and bio dynamic wines courtesy of
Wine Merchants of Hawaii, a division of
Johnson Brothers. A variety of fine dining
establishments such as Sheraton Waikiki’s
new Twist at Hanohano restaurant,
Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, King Food
Service, and the TCM Café will be
serving their epicurean fare to accompany
the wines.
Johnson Brothers was founded in 1953 in
St. Paul, Minnesota. The company is
family-owned and being run by a second
generation of Johnson Brothers. They are one
of the premier distribution sources for
wines and spirits in the United States.
Specially selected wines, artworks and
home decor by local artists and designers
will be featured in a silent auction. Among
the artists whose works will be featured are
John Koga and Derek Bencomo. All the artists
featured will be those who work with
sustainable and recycled materials.
All proceeds from this fall fundraiser
will benefit the public art education
programs of The Contemporary Museum. TCM
offers free tours to more than 10,000 school
children every year. Through the museum’s
Transportation and Transformation
program, TCM even provides free bus service
for schools that have little resources,
expanding their ability to expose school
children to the arts and cultural aspects of
contemporary art.
“With the State’s budget cuts this year
more drastic than ever, we hope to raise
additional funds to help provide increased
opportunities and art education resources to
our public schools during this time of great
need,” says TCM Executive Director
Georgianna Lagoria.
For more information about The
Contemporary Museum or August Moon
Wine Tasting, visit our website at
www.tcmhi.org;
Exhibition Info: (808) 526-0232; Reception
Desk: (808) 526-1322. Third Thursdays are
free entry days!
-end-
General Information:
The Contemporary Museum - Makiki Heights
Entry: One-Day Membership Pass - $8 Adults; $6 Students & Seniors; Members & Children 12 and
under are free. (Cost of a one-day pass may be applied to the cost of an annual membership on
the day of issue.) It is always free to visit the Museum Shop or The Contemporary Café. Third
Thursdays are free entry days! Museum and Shop Hours: Tuesday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.;
Sunday from Noon to 4 p.m.; Closed Mondays and major holidays. The Contemporary Café Hours:
Tuesday-Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; Sunday from Noon to 2:30 p.m. Café
Reservations: (808) 523-3362. Docent Tours: Tuesday-Sunday at 1:30 p.m. Cades Library Hours:
Tuesday & Thursday from 3 to 5 p.m.; or by special appointment. Parking: Free. On The Bus: #15
to Makiki Heights Drive-stops in front of the Museum. Address: 2411 Maikiki Heights Drive,
Honolulu, HI 96822. Exhibitions/Events Line: (808) 526-0232. Tours/Administration: (808)
526-1322; Web Site: www.tcmhi.org. Membership: (808) 237-5219.
The Contemporary Museum at First Hawaiian Center: Entry: Free. Hours: Monday-Thursday from
8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Closed on weekends and banking holidays;
First Fridays: 7-9 p.m. Docent Tours: Third Thursdays at Noon. Parking: TCM Members enjoy
validated parking at FHC. Address: 999 Bishop Street, Honolulu, HI 96813.
For all press inquiries, please contact Charlie Aldinger, Director of Museum Advancement, at (808)237-5231
or via e-mail at caldinger@tcmhi.org.
