By JACK HEEGER
Register Staff Writer

Friday, July 06, 2007

Veteran Napa Valley winemaker Art Finkelstein of Judd’s Hill was presented with the Al Brounstein Memorial Award at last weekend’s L’Chaim Weekend, a celebration by Jewish vintners of their return to their agricultural roots.

The presentation to Finkelstein was the highlight of the three-day event and recognized him for his numerous achievements and contributions to not only the wine industry but to the Napa Valley community.

The L’Chaim Weekend, featuring more than 30 wineries, began with a Sabbath buffet dinner on Friday, followed by winery open houses and then a walk-around wine tasting and dinner on Saturday, and concluded with a brunch on Sunday. More than 300 people, mostly from the Bay Area but also from as far as Florida, attended, and the event, aided by silent and live auctions during the dinner, netted more than $115,000. The proceeds will help support a half-dozen charitable organizations in Napa Valley.

Finkelstein, who began his wine career as a homemaker in Los Angeles while he was an architect, came to Napa Valley in 1979, and together with his brother, Alan Steen, founded Whitehall Lane winery. But because his brother spent too much time traveling to sell the wine, and Art spent too much time being an administrator and less time as a winemaker, they decided to sell it.

Finkelstein then started Judd’s Hill, named for his son, Judd, who is following in his father’s footsteps. The winery recently moved to a new location on Silverado Trail.

During the dinner at which the Al Brounstein award was presented, Judd Finkelstein prepared a very entertaining and moving introduction for his father, which brought both laughs and lumps in throats from the audience. Art also was presented with proclamations from Rep. Mike Thompson, state Senator Pat Wiggins and Assemblywoman Noreen Evans.