Vintner Dinner at L’Ostrica
featuring Maxem + Memento Mori + Vida Valiente | April 24, 2025

Charlotte Wine + Food Week presented by Truist hosted an exclusive charity vintner dinner featuring Chef Eric Ferguson of Charlotte's acclaimed restaurant, L’Ostrica and cellar-worthy wines made by winemaker Sam Kaplan: Maxem, Memento Mori, and Vida Valiente. Special guest, Lauren Van Ness, Vice President of Client Relations of Memento Mori took guests on a perfectly-paired journey through each pour. Charlotte Wine + Food Board Member and Co-founder of L’Ostrica, Cat Carter, collaborated in curating the evening’s 7-course tasting menu.

Thanks to the Charlotte Wine + Food Board Member hosts for the evening, Cat Carter & Taryn Thompson.

Featured wines included: 2023 Memento Mori Sauvignon Blanc, 2023 MAXEM 'UV' Chardonnay, 2022 MAXEM 'UV' Pinot Noir, 2022 Memento Mori 'Flagship' Cabernet Sauvignon, 2022 Memento Mori 'Flagship' Cabernet Sauvignon, 2021 Memento Mori 'Flagship' Cabernet Sauvignon, 2017 Memento Mori 'Flagship' Cabernet Sauvignon, 2021 Vida Valiente 'High Ranch' Cabernet Sauvignon, & 2022 Vida Valiente 'Graveside' Cabernet Sauvignon.

A brief live auction was held at the end of dinner including: a VIP Dinner Experience for Six (6) at the Memento Mori Estate under their incredible James Turrell Art Installation, alongside a 1.5L bottle of Memento Mori’s Flagship Cabernet etched with their signature dancing skeletons. Through the generosity of all present, the auction raised $9,000!

All proceeds benefited A Child’s Place - a program of Thompson, Augustine Literacy Project, Digi-Bridge, and Wayfinders.