BY KAREN BOSSICK
The Sun Valley Wine Auction, now in its 42nd year, always features unique wine auction lots that can’t be found anywhere else.
One of this year’s auction lots was conceived by artist Sally King Benedict, who moved to the Wood River Valley with her family from Atlanta, Ga., two years ago, and Kathleen Inman of Inman Family Wines in Sonoma’s Russian River Valley.
The two are offering a “Paint and Pinot” experience, offering the highest bidder the opportunity to join Bingham at her private studio in Ketchum for an afternoon of painting while enjoying Inman’s elegant wines.
Both are dynamic women who have single-handedly built their businesses and reputations through stellar craftsmanship.
Benedict, a contemporary artist who will show her art at Hemmings Gallery this coming month, has earned a cult following for her expressive, bright paintings. She has collaborated with interior designers around the world
Inman has been a pioneering female winemaker in the Russian River Valley since uncorking her first vintage in 2002. She coined eco-ethics, a philosophy that encompasses respect for the land while creating complex small-lot pinot noir, chardonnay and pinot gris wines that are naturally produced and reflective of where they are grown.
Not only does she grow grapes but she has stepped into the roles of winemaker, general manager, sales person, accountant, operations manager and even forklift driver. She uses only organic fungicides and fertilizers, including worm casting and her “Four Course Compost,” which is derived from table scraps discarded by high-end San Francisco restaurants and hotels. She harvests grapes a couple of weeks earlier than her neighbors so that her wines reflect the nuance of the vineyards.
In addition to offering the Paint and Pinot lot, Inman will be pouring sparkling and other wines at the Sun Valley Wine Auction’s Pig Roast on Thursday, June 29, and at the River Wine Walk on Friday, June 30.
She suggests people keep an eye out for her rose.
“I made rose for the first time in 2004 before roses were fashionable. I made it as a present for my husband Simon when I forgot our 20th wedding anniversary and it’s now one of most popular wines,” she said.
This is the first time Inman has participated in the Sun Valley Wine Auction, but it’s not her first time coming to Sun Valley.
“As a child and young teenager, many of my family vacations were spent in that part of Idaho and in the Sawtooth Mountains, as well. So, I’m keen to take part in the Sun Valley Wine Auction,” she said.
Inman and Benedict met in Atlanta, Ga., then cemented their friendship when Benedict toured Inman’s vineyard in California during a wine trip with friends.
“Painting and drinking sort of events have become popular. Sally is really excited about our Paint and Pinot experience, as her studio is near The Museum. She’ll probably do some watercolors or acrylics—she may even do something in encaustic wax. And it should be pretty fun, as I’ll be pouring my pinot noirs and we’ll have a charcuterie board of taste treats for people,” said Inman.
“We just thought it might be fun, something different to do. I’ll tell people a little bit about how wines are made, and how I farm organically and regeneratively, not adding anything to the wine—no water, no acids, no enzymes or tannins. And it ties in nicely with the art museum and wine auction.”