The l’Eté du Vin Patrons Party Honors Jean-Claude Rouzaud and Frédéric Rouzaud

A small procession of black cars wound through downtown Nashville, passing party buses and groups of bachelorettes on its way to the Four Seasons Hotel Nashville. Guests arrived to chilled glasses of Louis Roederer’s 2018 brut, gathering on the hotel’s fifth floor, where floor-to-ceiling windows framed sweeping views of the Cumberland River and downtown skyline.

The Nashville Wine Auction’s l’Eté du Vin Patrons Party raises funds for the organization while recognizing individuals who embody wisdom, courage, optimism, commitment and integrity.

Event chair Denise Cummins and l’Eté du Vin co-chairs Noelle Daugherty and Jay Erter welcomed guests and visited with friends throughout the evening. Guests of honor Frédéric Rouzaud, president and CEO of Maison Louis Roederer, and Nicolas Glumineau, general manager and winemaker of Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande and Château de Pez, worked through the room, meeting guests and making new friends.

Guests moved into the ballroom for dinner, where floral arrangements and elegant table settings evoked a French garden party. Four Seasons executive chef Derek Simcik and his team prepared a menu that complemented wines from Maison Louis Roederer.

A first course of milk-poached halibut with beurre blanc paired beautifully with Domaine Berthelemot’s 2022 grand cru Corton-Charlemagne and Domaine Anderson’s 2021 Walraven Vineyard chardonnay. Pan-roasted pheasant followed, with Domaine Parent’s 2019 grand cru Les Renardes Corton and Merry Edwards Coopersmith’s 2018 pinot noir. Smoked-pressed Tennessee pork cheeks played well with Château Pichon’s 2020 Longueville Comtesse de Lalande and Diamond Creek’s 2022 Volcanic Hill Cabernet Sauvignon. The evening concluded with caramelized puff pastry and a 2011 Ramos Pinto vintage port.

Midway through the evening, guests raised glasses of Louis Roederer's 2016 Cristal brut to honor Frédéric and his father, Jean-Claude, the 2026 recipients of the Norman M. Lipman Award. Frédéric accepted on behalf of himself and his father, who could not attend, and reflected on their family’s long history of winemaking and partnership with the Nashville Wine Auction. His gracious remarks charmed the room. And, as is often the case at l’Eté du Vin, guests lingered over conversation and one final glass of wine before bringing the evening to a close.