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Beaujolais Nouveau Release Party Benefits The Alliance Française of Portland & French-American Chamber of Commerce of the Pacific Northwest

Russ Lewis announces a raffle winner – left to right – Russ Lewis of KGW Newschannel 8, Robert Bourrier of Delta Air Lines (the official airlines sponsor of the event), Bernard Lehucher from the Consulate of France in San Francisco, and Françoise Aylmer, the French Honorary Consul for the State of Oregon

Portland, November 16th. Over 450 people traveled from 5 states to converge on the Heathman Hotel for the 11^th annual celebration of the release of the French “young wine,” Beaujolais Nouveau. Russ Lewis announced a raffle winner of KGW Newschannel 8, Robert Bourrier of Delta Air Lines, Bernard Lehucher from the Consulate of France in San Francisco, and Françoise Aylmer, the French Honorary Consul for the State of Oregon helped out at the event.

Partygoes Haroon Ishrak, Leslie Averill and Lauren Glandon.

It’s an annual fundraiser for 2 nonprofits: The Alliance Française of Portland (French language classes for adults and children) and the French-American Chamber of Commerce of the Pacific Northwest (trade development in the Pacific NW). Catering was coordinated by Michael Stanton, Executive Chef of the Heathman Restaurant and Bar.

This celebration is part of a worldwide tradition: When midnight strikes on the third Thursday of November, bars, restaurants, bistros and pubs around the world can begin serving the new wine of the harvest. Guests at Portland’s Beaujolais Nouveau Fête enjoyed the 2012 vintage, le vin primeur, of Beaujolais nouveau wines from select French vineyards such as Georges Duboeuf and Joseph Drouhin, select wines from Terroirs Originels, as well as tastings from several major Oregon and Washington wineries including WillaKenzie Estate Winery and Pacific Rim Winemakers (Riesling Rules), while enjoying a grand buffet that will include Sylvie grass-fed beef, seafood, charcuterie, cheese and desserts.

The Alliance Française de Portland is a nonprofit cultural and educational organization with an annual enrollment of 800 students in French grammar and conversation classes, located in the historic Kamm House in downtown Portland. The AF de Portland also organizes social and cultural events in the Portland metropolitan area.
This group is a chapter of the Paris-based Alliance Française which is the world’s largest network of French language and cultural centers, with 1,071 chapters in 133 countries.

Contact: info@afportland.org or 503.223.8388

Elisa Klein

I’ve been a professional journalist and writer since 1987, (and long-time reporter for KOIN-TV.) As a nationally published reporter, with a Master’s Degree in Journalism, I love to report positive news and information. Journalism has also connected me with another non-profit where I served as a leader; the Northwest’s biggest writer’s organization: The Willamette Writers.