Event will include top California wines

June 11, 2016 at 12:05a.m.

By BRIAN FRY

YOUNGSTOWN

Excitement and anticipation are growing among local wine lovers as the Valley prepares for the annual Edward J. Debartolo Sr. Scholarship Fund event. This year, Dr. John and Denise York are hosting the event at Covelli Centre and bringing in an impressive list of California wineries.

The event takes place Monday, beginning with a VIP reception at 5:30 p.m., with the general reception at 6:30. Tickets for both events are available by calling the Debartolo Corp. at 330-965-2000. The public is welcome but tickets must be purchased in advance. A single dinner ticket is $200 (VIP sponsorships are $2,500 and $5,000).

This year’s event brings to town three of California’s best wineries. Beaulieu Vineyards (BV), Spottswoode Winery and Mi Sueno Winery will be all be there, pouring some of their best wines. They will be teaming up with three local restaurants who will pair cuisine with the wines: Jeff Chrystal Catering (BV), Leo’s Ristorante (Spottswoode) and Vernon’s Cafe (Mi Sueno).

The Yorks have lived in Northern California for decades, and wine has become an integral part of their personal and professional lives. Their daughters, Mara and Jenna, have worked in the Napa Valley wine industry for several years. Denise and John both travel to Napa and Sonoma regularly to enjoy wines, and they’re happy to share some of that experience with Valley residents.

“We are very lucky to be living in an area that allows us to travel to Napa and Sonoma regularly. We’ve been able to make some great friends in the wine business and learn a great deal about wine from them. Once a year, I ask some of them to come to Youngstown as a friend,” said Dr. York.

This is also a homecoming for Jeffrey Stambor, BV’s director of winemaking, who was born and raised on Youngstown’s North Side. Stambor and the Yorks established a friendship years ago, and this is the first time he has come to the Valley to share his wines with local enthusiasts. Stambor’s rise to success in Napa was chronicled in a Vindicator feature in April 2014.

“We have always enjoyed wine, but it’s difficult to really know wine if you don’t get a chance to explore and taste with people in the know,” said Dr. York. “Jeffrrey has been a tremendous friend to us. He always offers tremendous hospitality and tells us his honest opinion of which wines are really worth making a purchase.”

The Yorks have integrated their love of wine into the San Francisco 49ers football team, which they own. Their Appellation 49 program brings 60 California vintners to Levi’s Stadium for the 10 49ers home games every year. Winemakers and winery owners pour wines for guests in the Citrix Owners Suite.

Each year, many of the Yorks’ friends visit the stadium, taste the wines and bring them back to the Valley to share with friends. This has led to a really strong following and connection between these wineries and our local wine community. The Appellation 49 program was the subject of a feature during last year’s Superbowl 50 pre-game show and a three-part feature on “CBS This Morning.” You can still find those features on Youtube.