Supporters sip in delights of Wine Auction

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By Janet Duca Norton / Society Columnist The 10th annual Sequoia Hospital Foundation Wine Auction continuedits tradition of fine wines, fabulous food, good company and a goodcause. About 250 hospital supporters and wine collectors turned outfor the June 26 party hosted by Sue Burns in her Atherton garden.Burns continued the tradition of hosting, which she and her latehusband Harmon had done since the auction's inception.

Co-chairmen Bob Franceschini and Dick Sponholtz and their 12-membercommittee were pleased with the event's new look and great results.Franceschini said everything fell into place with wonderfulweather, a pair of talented musical groups (the Charlie BulantiTrio and the Savvy Trio) and a new configuration for the silent andlive auctions. Proceeds were close to last year's total, $160,000,which set a new record for the auction.

Featured pairings of vintners and award-winning restaurantsincluded Blue Cellars with CoolEatz Catering and Restaurants;Monticello Vineyards with Arguello Catering; Domenico Wines withTony Flier of Avenir Restaurant Group; Fogarty Winery with EventsEtc.; Martella Wines with John Bentley's Restaurant; FernwoodCellars with Tai Pan Restaurant; in adition to samplings from WholeFoods Redwood City, Half Moon Bay Smokehouse and Woodside Bakeryand Cafe. Among those giving rave reviews were Marie Zahn, HuguetteBartels, Frank and Denise Hennig, Barbara and Murray Simpson, andKathy and Andy Cresci. (Andy donated one of his handmade birdhousesfor the silent auction.)

With help from Bill Conklin, professional auctioneer Frank Bizzarrocreated enthusiasm and competition. A big-ticket item was a winedinner prepared by master chef Sean Conry to be served in thewinner's home, which was purchased by Dr. Don and Jane Fox. Dr. Tadand Heather Nishimura made the successful bid on a weekend ofbarrel tasting at three wineries in Healdsburg, with an overnightstay at the Dry Creek Inn.

John Ross won the traditional "good luck bottle" of 1978 pinot noirand will keep it for a year. Known as the sunflower wine, purchasedat the 1991 Redwood City Sunflower Festival, the bottle isautographed by the winner and donated back to next year's auction.After 10 years the bottle has raised more than $17,000 for thefoundation, and is usually won by a physician. Last year's winnerGloria Kennett, who purchased the bottle in honor of her latehusband Dr. William Kennett, added her autograph before it waspresented for auction.

The evening was a kickoff for a yearlong campaign to raise $1.8million for the purchase of the da Vinci Surgical System fromIntuitive Surgical, the leader in the field of robotic-assistedminimally invasive surgery. The da Vinci technology takes minimallyinvasive surgery to a new level: it combines precise instrumentmovement with three-dimensional visualization of the surgical area.Sequoia is the first hospital in San Mateo County to use the daVinci.

During the silent auction, urologist Dr. Dieter Bruno, who haspioneered the use of the da Vinci in prostate surgery, shared thespotlight with the robot. Guests not only had the opportunity tomeet and talk with the doctor, but also took turns trying theirhand at manipulating the robotic instruments.

"We're dreaming big," said Glenna Vaskelis, when she introduced thesale of "shares" (starting at $1,000) for naming privileges on theda Vinci, and an accompanying dinner with Dr. Bruno. Al Cleary IIIand Danford Foundation tied for the opportunity to have their namesinscribed on the equipment. Bob and Sue O'Donnell's generousbidding was rewarded with an invitation to the private dinner withDr. Bruno and the winners.

Richard Pieklo was a walking endorsement for Dr. Bruno and the daVinci Surgical System. Pieklo had a prostatectomy on June 6 and wasenjoying the event three weeks later. Pieklo's wife Monica Wellssaid she and her husband spent six to eight weeks researchingprostate surgery techniques, doctors and hospitals.

"The first thing we chose was the da Vinci, which led us to Dr.Bruno, who is the complete package, second to none, and finally toSequoia. It all came together after three months of panic," Wellssaid. To which Pieklo added, "We had the best tool, the best doctorand the best hospital - best, best, best."

Sequoia physicians supporting the event included Dr. Chris Threatt,Dr. Greg Engel, Dr. Rob Patrawala, Dr. Denise Brown, Dr. BeverlyJoyce, Dr. Dolly Shoup, Dr. Andy Liu, Dr. Michael Fahmy and Dr. EdKatz.

E-mail Janet Duca Norton at society@paloaltodailynews.com.