Lowell Sun (May 2, 2006) – HOH Featured

Fundraiser at Stonehedge Inn for House Of Hope uncorks a good time

By MARY SAMPAS, Sun Correspondent
Lowell Sun
Partying at the elegant Stonehedge Inn creates a mood so mellow that, last Thursday, some attendees were not surprised to see a group of deer stop at the entrance before gamboling off into the sunset.
Inside, the beautiful library was awash in the good cheer ambiance of wine tasting a la Levent Bozkurt, than whom, as the saying goes, “there is none whomer” when it comes to wine. The party was in aid of The House of Hope, who helps the homeless and is seeking to add a playground for neighborhood children.
Nels Palm, president of the HOH board welcomed the crowd and introduced Deb Chausse, the executive director, who told her audience that Palm “Works so hard he should be on the payroll.” A table in the room’s center was piled high with fruit, cheese and crackers, and wait staff were constantly offering trays of hors d’oeuvres like curls of smoked salmon, beef Wellington, spring rolls, etc.
Bozkurt, whose Stonehedge cellar holds over 102,000 bottles of wine, speaks with passion, wit and love about the glories of the grape. He was delighted that the movie, Sideways, made many new fans of pinot noir, in the same vein, people at the party will be inspired to get close to Shiraz: “Stonehedge’s most popular now — we want to share it with you.”
Shiraz, made with grapes from Persia, is now mostly produced in Australia, and Levant spoke tantalizingly in that suave, continental accent, of its many great qualities. Recommending foods to go with the wines, he said “Shiraz loves lamb!” In addition to 2004 Pillar Box Shiraz, he discoursed on 2005 Geyserpeak Sauvignon Blanc, 2004 Fleur du Cap Chardonnay, and 2004 Castle Rock Pinot Noir.
In the happy crowd were Linda and Dr. Roy Maletz, Dacey Zouzas and her mother, Despina, Nancy and Dick Donahue, Kathy and Michael Demaras, the Paul Lamberts, John and Linda Chemaly, Mike and Kathy Holland, Dawn Bozkurt, Greg and Deborah McAdams, Lynne Faust, Dorkas Grigg-Saito, Greg and BeaAlice Wertheimer, Elaine Zouzas Thibault, Frank and Patricia Talty, Dan and Tarina Mansur, Janet Mitchell, Doug Ahern, Peggy Palm, John and Barbara Pearson, Ginger Pearson, Colette and Bill Ricco, Nicole and Chris Clarke, Lauren Broudreau Steeves, Deborah Steeves, Jim and Sue Cooney, Mary and Walter Dawson, Dr. and Mrs. Robert Gamache, Richard and Judith Jumpp Sr., Jeanne Poor, SGM, Stephen Poor III, Lisa and Dr. Lou Stylos, Susan and Dr. Wayne Pasanen, Jim and Charlene Sullivan, Elkin Montoya, Maureen Lerner, John and Jane Sullivan, Ed and Jacquie Moloney, Diane Boudreau, Pat Gatheral, George and Donna Leahey, Brian Bush, Diana Prideaux-Brine, Bill Lehmann.