For the second consecutive year, Chef Thomas Keller personally prepared a sumptuous meal and served by the staff of The French Laundry for the guests at Stars 2008.  Chef had planned the menu basis the characteristics of each of the Peter Michael wines which had been tasted beforehand.  The Michael family welcomed the guest at the Lake with a reception of passed canapés and L’Apres-Midi.  Guests were then transported to Côte Deux Mille, a mountain top pavilion looking west over the vineyards and the valley to the Pacific Ocean.  There they enjoyed the delicious food, fine wines, and live music while dining under the largest folding umbrella in North America.   A live auction was conducted by Patrick Meade of Bonhams & Butterfields and the evening raised a record amount to benefit innovative prostate cancer research at University of California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences.

Paul and Emily Michael hosted over fifty guests from eight states at Hands & Hearts New York at Per Se on April 30, 2009. A sumptuous, six course dinner was prepared by Chef Thomas Keller and served by his exceptional staff in the private dining room. The culinary experience was enhanced by six different Peter Michael wines around which the menu was explicitly planned. Dr. Hedvig Hricak, Chair of the Department of Radiology at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, spoke on innovations in prostate cancer imaging and the results of her research which the Peter Michael Foundation underwrites. The dinner was concluded with a live auction of Peter Michel wine paired dinners at Per Se,  The French Laundry and Le Bernardin as well as rare wines from Ann Colgin, Paul Hobbs and Peter Michael Winery and other exclusive, unique items such as Viking Range appliances and custom made Thomas Warner wine cellars.

The Sir Peter and Lady Michael Foundation started a new tradition with a New York event on May 1, 2008. Held at the world famous restaurant, Per Se, a six course menu was personally prepared by Chef Thomas Keller and paired with Peter Michael Wines. Joined by Sir Peter and Lady Michael, sixty guests from nine states were treated to the private dining room and commentary on imaging technologies from top cancer researcher Dr. Hedvig Hricak, Chairman of the Department of Radiology at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. A live auction was conducted by Ed Beardsley of Bonhams and Butterfields, which provided the opportunity to bid on rarities such as Peter Michael library wines, personalized visits to Sir Peter Michael properties and exclusive chef dinners. Proceeds from the event benefited the Sir Peter and Lady Michael Foundation’s fellowships for innovative prostate cancer research and patient care.

On September 21st, a private violin recital, at the gracious home of Ann and Gordon Getty was the setting of the last event. Mr. Gordon Getty and Sir Peter Michael welcomed everyone with a reception featuring an array of fine wines. Guests were then escorted to the music salon where Sir Peter spoke of the life saving prostate cancer research that the Foundation supports in the US and internationally. The highlight of the evening was the stunning, passionate recital by virtuoso Elizabeth Pitcairn accompanied by pianist John Novacek. She delivered an enthralling performance with an instrument of great historical significance and sumptuous quality of sound. It was a blend of gloriously beautiful musicality and impeccable technical ability. Her final piece, “Round of the Goblins” by Bazzini, had guests sitting on the edge of their seats, bewitched, yearning for more.

The finale of the evening was an exquisite dinner prepared by the Getty’s’ personal chef, Jennifer Johnson, with each course created specifically to pair with wines donated by Mr. Gordon Getty, Mr. Bill Shea and the Peter Michael Winery.

Sonatas in Red  took place on the grounds of the Peter Michael estate and winery, beginning on the main lawn below the Michaels’ residence. The evening commenced with a reception hosted by Paul and Emily Michael accompanied by L’Apres Midi and passed canapés. Guests then meandered through the gorgeous English Gardens to the music tent. As the sun set, guests enjoyed a truly inspired performance by Elizabeth Pitcairn, violin virtuoso, who played the legendary 1720 “Red” Mendelssohn Stradivarius. Elizabeth has owned and played this nearly 300 year-old violin since she was 16. www.elizabethpitcairn.com

After the performance, guests enjoyed an exquisite dinner prepared by Melissa Teaff and paired with Ma Belle Fille (Chardonnay), Le Moulin Rouge (Pinot Noir) and Les Pavots (Cabernet).

The "Grand Finale" was the Live Auction with very unique and exciting offerings such as:

• Private performance by Elizabeth Pitcairn in a donor’s home
• Two night stay and private tasting for 6 at Peter Michael Winery
• Private tour, tasting and gourmet lunch at Peter Michael Winery
• Various rare and large format wines from Peter Michael Winery and others

Each guest  received a copy of one of Elizabeth’s CD’s, a sterling silver commemorative bottle stopper, and  a copy of Hands and Hearts, the award-winning culinary book featuring recipes from 15 of the world’s finest chefs paired with Peter Michael wines.

Stars 2007 (August 11, 2007) is delighted to have Chef Thomas Keller to prepare a most extraordinary culinary and sensory experience. Guests will first gather on the floating island at the Lake for a reception with by Sir Peter and Lady Michael. Following L’Apres Midi and creative hors d’oeuvres, guests will be whisked up to Côte Deux Mille. Located at the highest point in the vineyards, this very special place offers spectacular views of the countryside from the vineyards to the setting sun over the Pacific Ocean. Here guests will experience Chef Keller’s magic, a truly luxurious dinner paired with Ma Belle-Fille, Cuvee Indigene, Le Moulin Rouge and Les Pavots. The evening is topped off with a Live Auction and the most stunning starry sky you have ever seen!

Among the Live Auction items are:

• Dinner for ten at the French Laundry accompanied by Peter Michael wines and a chef’s surprise
• Two night stay at L’Auberge du Carmel and dinner for four at Bouché plus a round of golf at Pebble Beach
• Two night stay and private tasting for 6 at Peter Michael Winery
• Private tour, tasting and gourmet lunch at Peter Michael Winery
• Two night stay and dinner at Sir Peter Michael’s Vineyard at Stockcross
• Various rare and large format wines from Peter Michael Winery and others

Tickets are $5,000 per person. Included is a copy of the hand made, leather bound edition of Hands and Hearts, personally signed by Robert Parker, Jr. and fifteen of the finest chefs in the world whose recipes are featured.