I previewed all the wine being served at the Academy Awards
A peak into the wines served at the 96th Oscars®
A few weeks ago I got an incredible invite in my inbox. It honestly made me stop in my tracks because it was such a blend what I’m passionate about in life: one obviously being wine, and two being film. It read:
On behalf of Clarendelle and family company, Domaine Clarence Dillon, you're invited to an exclusive press dinner at Spago Beverly Hills, to celebrate the wines poured at the 96th Oscars®. The historic French Wine group is the official 2024 Wine Partners of the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures and the exclusive red and white wines poured at the 96th Oscars®.
The evening will be hosted by H.R.H Prince Robert of Luxembourg, Chairman and CEO, who requests the pleasure of your company. The wines from Clarendelle and Château La Mission Haut-Brion will be paired with an exquisite menu from Chef Wolfgang Puck and his team. The dinner will serve as a preview for what Hollywood's biggest stars will enjoy at the ceremony, the Governors Ball and all other Oscar®-related events. A highlight of luxury will be tasting one of the best wines ever produced at this famous estate: La Chapelle de La Mission 2010 that will be served in the Winner's Lobby and green room.
Needless to say, I responded yes without hesitation.
The other small world of it all, is that Spago was a restaurant I once worked at, making the event a very full circle moment. Pursuing a career in the entertainment industry is a wild ride, and the only thing I know to be true to all is: everyone has a different journey. Working at Spago will always part of my journey, and it taught me many things in my six months stint. Returning as a patron is always special, especially under these circumstances. I like to think of it as a little wink from the powers that be, noting “you’re doing ok kid”. And with all the wines poured, we were all doing more than ok.

While these kind of events I’m prepared to attend alone, I was generously offered a +1, so I invited my best friend since childhood, a fellow actress, Maddie McCormick. Arriving at Spago, we elected to jump right into Clarendelle’s rosé . Having not had very many Bordeaux rosés, I was extremely surprised and delighted at how dry, yet vibrant it went down.
*A note here, because I feel like it’s important if you’re newer on your wine journey, or hell if you’re seasoned: everything…and I mean everything around you dictates how you taste the wine. Whether you’re aware or not, your circumstances of the day transpire into your wine tasting experience. So, of course in a beautiful space, on a joyous occasion, the wine will likely just taste that much better! And I don’t want it to read that they’ll taste “worse” drinking them at home, but a celebration, a promotion, any huzzah moment will be a part of your consuming experience.*
Back to the Oscars® wine!!!
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