Bravo Heart’s Delight!

Record-breaking $1.8 million raised to fight against cardiovascular disease and stroke

From press releases – 18 May 2018

For the 19th year in a row, Washington D.C. was all a (wine) buzz with the 19^th Annual Heart’s Delight Wine Tasting & Auction.

After four days earlier this month of gourmet dinners, wine tastings and exciting auctions, this year’s event raised over $1.8 million for the American Heart Association, making it the most successful Heart’s Delight’s event to date.

Heart’s Delight gathered master winemakers, culinary greats and other distinguished guests to the capital of the United States. The four-day celebration of exceptional food and wine benefits the American Heart Association.

With this 19th edition of generosity from around the world, Heart’s Delight has raised nearly $22 million for the American Heart Association so far.

Highlights from the live auction this year included the following:

• Thibault Pontallier of Château Margaux on stage presenting a Jeroboam Château Margaux 2005, which sold for $42,000;
• Hervé Berland of Château Montrose on stage presenting an Imperial Château Montrose 2010, which sold for $18,000;
• Famous chef Daniel Boulud on stage presenting a surprise lot – dinner for 10! – which sold for $22,000;
• A 12-bottle Château Margaux 1983 (in original wooden box) vintage lot, which sold for $28,000. And that vintage is just amazing!

Heart’s Delight is dedicated to the memory of Bruce Bassin, son of MacArthur Beverages’ owners Addy and Ruth Bassin.  He had joined the family business after college in 1979. Like his father, Bruce embraced French wines, especially those from Bordeaux, as well as the French people, culture and language.

Sadly, Addy, a renowned connoisseur and buyer, passed away leaving Bruce and his mother Ruth to carry on the MacArthur Beverages’ unique and central position in the wine retail industry of Washington, D.C. Blessed with a gregarious personality, Bruce’s astute merchandising of fine wines made him popular among colleagues and customers alike.

At the young age of 40, Bruce died of a massive heart attack. He was survived by his wife, Kris and his three children Alexis, Morgan and Aaron.

Heart’s Delight, organized by his fellow wine connoisseurs, the American Heart Association and MacArthur Beverages, is a tribute to Bruce to further the fight against cardiovascular disease and stroke.