The Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF), in partnership with Sotheby’s, hosted it’s first-ever Connoisseur’s Dinner: An Evening of Wine and Art on Wednesday, May 2, 2007.  The event attracted 240 guests who mingled for 6:30 pm cocktails in the entry to Sotheby’s 10th floor galleries and previewed some of the most extraordinary contemporary art works by artists such as Francis Bacon, Warhol, Rothko, and Lichtenstein, as well as a collection of Sotheby’s magnificent diamonds.

At 7:30 pm guests proceeded into the main galleries for the dinner and auction portion of the evening where they dined amidst a stellar array of Impressionist art. Tables were arranged just a stones throw away from the Chagalls, Cézannes, Picassos, Modiglianis, Matisses, Balthus and more, which were hung in preview of the Impressionist auction.   

Leonard Lauder (ADDF Chairman) and Nancy Corzine (ADDF President of the Board) served as dinner chairs. Honorary Chairs included Cece Cord and Dr. John Baldwin, Francine LeFrak and Rick Friedberg, Anne Hearst and Jay McInerney, James and Lee Niven and Bill and Betsey Ruprecht.   Guests included Ronald Lauder, Evelyn Lauder, Roberto and Joanne DeGuardiola, Hilary Geary and Wilbur Ross, Dana Hammond and Dr. Patrick Stubgen, Mark Locks, Dennis Basso and Marjorie Gubelmann, Robert Burke, Harriet and  Ronald Weintraub, Michelle and Larry Herbert, John and Liz Cooney, Carol and Phillip Norfleet, Cyrus Vance Jr., Carl Bernstein, Dominique Browning, Jill Swig, Kate Furman Pasik and Richard Pasik,  Liz and Randall Sandler, Judith Ripka and Ronald Berk, Amy Treitel, Connie Anne Phillips, and ADDF’s Executive Director Dr. Howard Filit and his wife Dr. Janet Werkmeister.

A special spring menu was created by Chef Daniel Boulud.  The first course was a seasonal Duo of Asparagus accompanied by a Moët & Chandon, Brut Impérial Rosé. The main course consisted of a Duo of Beef  accompanied by a delightful pairing of red wines selected by Sotheby’s wine expert Jamie Richie. His tasting included Cos d’ Estournel, Grande Cru Classé de Saint–Estèphe, 2000 versus Château Léoville-Las Cases, Saint-Julien, 1995.  Dessert was a Fresh Raspberry Tarte with Lemon Verbena and Lavender Gelée for the ladies and for the gentlemen was Sao Tomé Single Estate Chocolate Fondant and Chocolate Ice Cream accompanied by Krug Grande Cuvée.  The champagne for the dinner was generously donated by Moët Hennessy USA.

Sotheby’s Auctioneer Hugh Hildesley led the auction that included rare wines such as 1990 Petrus (closing bid $55,000) and 1982 Lafite (closing bid $25,000); a Lifetime Membership to The Napa Valley Reserve and winery tour and visit for eight with accommodations at the Meadowood Napa Valley (closing bid $205,000); an Art Basel Miami Beach VIP package for four with accommodations at the Ritz-Carlton, South Beach provided by NetJets (closing bid $45,000); and a French winery tour and tasting at Château Mouton Rothschild for four with accommodations at the Plaza Athénée in Paris and flights provided by L’Avion (closing bid $60,000).  Between ticket sales ($1,000 per seat), generous donations and auction sales, ADDF raised over $700,000 for the evening.  All proceeds from the event will directly fund drug discovery research for Alzheimer’s disease.