The annual “Diamonds in the Rough” dinner gala hosted by Diamond Creek Vineyards last weekend raised more than $200,000 for the Parkinson’s Institute in Sunnyvale.

First hosted by Wine Spectator at the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone four years ago and held subsequently for three ensuing harvests at Diamond Creek Vineyards, the event has raised more than $1 million for Parkinson’s research.

This is the first time longtime Parkinson’s disease survivor Al Brounstein has not been in attendance, as the well known Napa Valley vintner passed away a few months ago.

“Those who joined us this year were very, very generous,” said hostess Boots Brounstein of the 55 guests at Saturday night’s gala.

Thomas Keller, chef/owner of The French Laundry in Yountville, who was rewarded earlier this week with three stars in the new Bay Area edition of the Michelin Guide, prepared a five course dinner for attendees, paired with Diamond Creek wines, including a rare ’99 Lake cabernet sauvignon.

The evening’s entertainment was provided by Bay Area singer/guitarist/songwriter William Morin. “He performed a beautiful original song that he dedicated to Al,” Mrs. Brounstein said.

Dave Pramuk of Robert Biale Vineyards has been elected president of P.S. I Love You, a statewide organization of petite sirah producers founded in 2002 to promote the varietal. Other Napa Valley members include Girard Winery, Judd’s Hill, Spellbound and Stags’ Leap Winery and Shannon Ridge in Lake County. Another member is Silkwood Wines, which started in Napa Valley and now is in Modesto.

Kristin Guiducci has been named assurance manager at O’Dowd Franklin Rabanal & Smith LLP, a Napa-based CPA firm providing services to the wine industry. Guiducci, a CPA, had previously been with Robert Mondavi Winery and Icon Estates.

Lynn McDowell has joined the Hess Collection as director of public relations. She also will be the U.S. contact for the Hess Group’s associated wineries, including Peter Lehman in Australia, Glen Carlou in South Africa and Bodega Colomé in Argentina. Previously she had been a journalist and writer and created a magazine for St. Helena Hospital.

Emilio’s Terrace released its 2003 Emilio’s Terrace reserve cabernet sauvignon Sunday. The vineyard where the grapes come has some excellent neighbors — it’s just north of Harlan Estate and west of the To Kalon Vineyard. Only 650 cases were made, to retail at $50 per bottle.

Casa Nuestra Winery & Vineyards will be among a select group of wineries whose fine Meritage wines will be featured in an historic tasting of Bordeaux-style blends in Vicenza, Italy, on Oct. 14 and 15.

It is the first time since the term Meritage was trademarked 18 years ago that a major European wine tasting will conduct a special session focusing on the best Bordeaux-style blends that carry the Meritage name.

In addition to Casa Nuestra W & V, 18 other wineries from the United States, Canada and Mexico will send wines to the prestigious event.

What is called “The Biggest Little Auction in Napa Valley,” the 19th annual St. Helena Catholic School benefit wine auction, will take place Friday and Saturday.

A preview will be held Friday at Revana Family Vineyards in St. Helena, and the auction will begin at 6 p.m. Saturday at Rutherford Grove Winery. A seafood and sparkling wine reception will be followed by an al fresco dinner, and Dave Reynolds will conduct the auction.

For information call 963-4677.

Three vineyards owned by the Charles Krug Winery-Peter Mondavi Family are now certified organic by the California Certified Organic Farmers, a nonprofit organic certification association.

Charles Krug, the oldest winery in Napa Valley, is converting five of its seven Napa Valley ranches to organic production: the 57-acre Slinson and 97-acre Voltz ranches in the Yountville appellation, and the historic “B” block in the 138-acre Family Estate Vineyard in St. Helena, are the first to receive CCOF organic certification. Two additional Charles Krug properties, Page and Homefinders in Yountville, have been farmed organic since 2005 and will most likely be certified in the summer of 2007.

The transition to organic farming practices began in 2003 and, with this new certification, now includes some 250 acres./Register