SIP. EAT. PLAY.
Napa Valley Film Festival 2011 partners with "Feast it Forward"
by Katie Shaffer on 08/15/11
"Feast it Forward" will be partnering with the inaugural Napa Valley Film Festival (NVFF), debuting November 9-13, in Napa Valley's picturesque communities of Napa, Yountville, St. Helena and Calistoga. The 5 day "extended weekend" features new independent films; studio sneak previews; conversations with the attending directors, actors, producers, and writers; Opening and Closing Night festivities; Tribute and Awards Programs; wine tasting pavilions and culinary demonstrations; VIP receptions and dinners with Napa Valley's own celebrity chefs and winemakers, and more. Learn more at:
http://facebook.com/napavalleyfilmfestival
http://twitter.com/napafilmfest
INTRODUCING "Feast it Forward"...going beyond the bottle
by Katie Shaffer on 08/01/11
Just over 10 years ago, I moved to Napa Valley to pursue a career in Food & Wine. While managing events at a local winery, my mentor's daughter was diagnosed with a rare disorder called "RETT syndrome." Although I had just moved to the Napa Valley, I saw this as my time & my opportunity to truly give back while bringing together everything I was inspired by. In 2004, I co-founded the Erika Van Giesen Foundation alongside an annual fundraiser "Erika's Dream" to support it. In 2006 we helped establish a clinic at Children's Hospital Oakland, "Katie's Clinic," which serves girls & thier families afflicted with RETT all over the Western United States. "Erika's Dream" was a way to incorporate all my passions....FOOD, WINE & GIVING BACK.
In 2008 I joined Elaine Honig, Founder of Wine, Women & Shoes: A food & wine based event that we would soon take on as a sucessful national fundraising platform. My goals were to also bring my passions and talents to the table while helping grow this incredible concept as a "known event."
Later that year, I launched my first wine label. TOOLBOX WINE CO. - Joining forces with Thrace Bromberger, also Owner/Vintner of Gustavo Thrace Winery in Napa (Bottle Shock plug!) and Nancy Otton, also Owner/Vintner of Ramspur Winery in Carneros. Our mission was, and still is, to craft affordable, quality driven wines with a sense of humor...all while giving back through our mission "building houses & good will, one bottle at a time," as we donate a portion of proceeds to Habitat for Humanity.
Here we are in the Summer of 2011....I am still as eager, motivated and passionate about life and all it has to offer. "SIP. SHARE. FEAST IT FORWARD" is my way of once again, incorporating all that I enjoy. Great wines, food, family and giving back. I hope you enjoy my venture as much as I do, and hopefully a year down the line I may add another opportunity to this list - Cheers!
