Back Room Wines bids farewell to its home of six years at 974 Franklin St. on June 6, and on June 9 it opens its doors at “a big, grand, new wine shop and wine bar” at First and Main streets. Back Room Wines will be open seven days a week.

In an e-mail owner Dan Dawson wrote, “fans of ‘more’ will enjoy more wine selections, more wine drinking, more fine accessories and more fun in the nexus of downtown Napa at First  Main Streets. The key differences between the old and new are a greater selection of the best tiny-production California wines. Yes, even more wines you just don’t see sold much beyond Napa Valley. You know our line: if you haven’t heard of it, we’re doing a good job.”

Dawson said the selection of imported wines “will grow along with the shop.” The new wine bar, which offers wine flights, wines by the glass from local vintners, and cheese and charcuterie plates, will be open with later hours Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

It will also offer a specialty spirits selection with single malt scotches, tequilas, speciality liqueurs and more.

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The 19th annual “Culinary Evening with the California Winemasters” generated a record $1,603,877 in net proceeds to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s research and care programs May 17. A sold-out crowd of 1,466 attended the festivities on the “Midwest Street” backlot at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank where 45 internationally recognized chefs and 67 California wineries joined forces for the event.

Napa Valley wineries contributed many lots including a Bond Estate wine dinner for 10 with Dustin Hoffman, which sold for $30,000, and dinner with Screaming Eagle owner Charles Banks sold for $19,000.  A 3.0L of 2005 Gemstone sold for $12,000;  “Life for Life!” from Garric — a 3.0L plus Garric wines for the buyer’s lifetime — sold to two buyers for $20,000 each; a 3.0L of 2005 Crocker & Starr Cabernet Sauvignon “Stone Place” sold for $11,000; and a magnum of 2004 Harlan sold for $10,000.

  The date for the 20th annual “Culinary Evening with the California Winemasters” event at Warner Bros. Studios is set for May 16, 2009.

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The State Senate adjourned May 22 in memory of Robert G. Mondavi, the wine industry giant who died May 16 at the age of 94.

The short ceremony was led by State Senator Patricia Wiggins (D-Santa Rosa), chair of the Senate Select Committee on California’s Wine Industry.

In part, she said, “California, and the world, lost a true visionary in the wine industry and the arts. Robert Mondavi, at 94, was the godfather of American wines.

“As an uncompromising perfectionist, Robert Mondavi was guided by his belief that ‘If you wish to succeed, you must listen to yourself, to your own heart, and have the courage to go your own way.’

 “His passion for excellence and his ability to inspire people was the key to his success. Mr. Mondavi earned the enduring respect of the nation and the world, and he put Napa on the map.”

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Four custom-etched bottles, each containing 27 liters of 2005 Charles Krug Vintage Selection Cabernet Sauvignon from Charles Krug Winery-Peter Mondavi Family, raised a total of $35,500 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

This marks the sixth year that Charles Krug Winery has partnered with Morton’s — the Steak House. Dinners and charity auctions were held at Morton’s locations in Annapolis, Md., Minneapolis, Minn., and Troy, Mich., as well as Palm Desert.

“Pairing a library selection of Vintage Selection Cabernets with Morton’s great steaks is delicious, and each big bottle we auction means more wishes granted,” said Charles Krug proprietor Peter Mondavi, Jr.  

The Peter Mondavi Family donated a series of custom-etched Primats, as 27-liter bottles are known, created especially for these events. Each immense bottle weighs around 85 pounds and is equivalent to three cases of wine. One hundred percent of funds generated benefit each local Make-A-Wish chapter and, this year, the big-bottle auctions raised enough money to grant the wishes of seven children diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses.  

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Two of the three wines recently served by Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda of Japan to honor President Hu Jintao of China, who is visiting Japan, were from the Napa Valley. They were the 2003 Harlan Estate and 2005 Staglin Salus. The third wine was a French Champagne. The wines were from Fukuda’s personal collection.

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Fiona Sutherland, the vineyard manager for E&J Gallo Winery’s 450 acres in the Pope and Chiles Valleys, has been appointed the fifth annual Lamborn Scholar by the Napa Valley Wine Library Association.

Sutherland, who came to Pope Valley last fall, enjoys living at Sun Lake Ranch, a part of Gallo’s holdings since 2002, with her two Australian shepherds. The scholar program honors the late Bob Lamborn, NVWLA board member who was active in its educational seminars. Sutherland will participate in the association’s 18th annual varietal seminar on Saturday, Aug. 23, to be held at the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone.

She was born in Berkeley and spent her high school years in Sydney, Australia. She returned to California to attend San Jose State and then transferred to UC Davis to study viticulture. She has worked with the Sonoma Cutrer Winery and Sterling Vineyards. Sutherland spent a year in vineyard finance at Gallo and managed 400 acres of vineyard for Gallo for five years before moving to Pope Valley.

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With a photo of Marilyn Monroe taken in 1958 at the height of her glamorous career as its label, the 2006 vintage of Marilyn Merlot will be released Sunday, June 1.

“This wine truly lives up to the elegance of its package,” said Donna Holder, one of the owners of Marilyn Wines. “We believe it will be a hit with collectors, but it is certainly a Napa Valley merlot that stands beautifully on its own.”

The 2006 vintage of Marilyn Merlot is a blend of 85 percent merlot and 15 percent cabernet sauvignon. Winemaker is John McKay. The wine, priced at $27, is available by calling 963-5475.

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The dynamic and wide-ranging array of speakers and session hosts continues to build at the Robert Mondavi Winery’s TASTE3 conference, scheduled for July 17-19 at Copia in Napa. For three days, the TASTE3 conference will bring more than 300 guests together for one of the most unique and compelling gatherings of the year.

A full conference pass includes eight speaker sessions, world class food, wine and networking, and special, behind-the-scenes, pre-conference field trips. With an audience of the brightest chefs, authors, inventors, winemakers, publishers, executives, artists, sommeliers and aficionados, the conference is expected to sell out quickly. Conference registration is open at www.taste3.com or call 967-3997.  

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For the past 12 years, the Louis M. Martini family has been opening their doors to friends and family every July 4th for an evening of festivities, food and fireworks.

This year, the party starts with a tasting of some of Martini’s newly released wines such as the 2005 Napa Valley Cabernet and the 2007 254 Cabernet Rose, paired with hors d’oeuvres.

The 2006 254 Petite Sirah, from Martini’s Thomann Station vineyard, will be poured along with other elegant wines at the all-American family-style dinner. This meal features barbecue classics like smoked brisket, ribs and grilled chicken with all the trimmings followed by homemade cobbler and ice cream. All this fun is accompanied by live music and activities for children in the winery garden. The fireworks display will begin after dinner.

Doors open at 6:45 p.m. and the celebration is from 7 to 10 p.m. The winery is located at 254, South Highway 29, just south of St. Helena. Tickets are $95 for the general public and $80 for Founders Wine Club Members. For more information or to reserve tickets, all (866) 549-2582 or visit www.louismartini.com.