Ladies Auxiliary Of Western Diocese Hold Successful Wine Tasting Garden Soiree

It was a night to remember when approximately 150 guests gathered in the lovely gardens of Gayane and Ishkhan Tatoulian in San Marino for a special wine tasting event.  The Ladies Auxiliary of the Western Diocese, under the auspices of His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, hosted this evening under the stars, inviting  guests to “STEMS –A Garden Soiree”  on Sunday, October 1 at 5:00 p.m.   The gardens glowed with Halloween décor and glittering candelabra amid wine barrel tables and corks strewn in the flowerbeds adding atmosphere as friends sipped wines from around the world. 

Greg Hosharian’s music filled the air while guests nibbled delicious food and strolled through the gardens sampling wines carefully selected by Ishkhan with the guidance of Sandra and Paul Kalemkarian.  Rita Barsoumian provided a delicious French rose’ from the noted Wine Merchant in Beverly Hills. Red and white wines from Armenia, both Karas and Areni, were donated by Flora Dunaians and Hermine Janoyan.

Cindy Norian, Chair of the Ladies Auxiliary, stated that the inspiration for the “STEMS” event was provided by Audrey Matoesian, who worked tirelessly on the details that made the evening so special.  Norian added that Gerri Day organized a select and very up-scale silent auction featuring a guitar and top hat donated by Guns and Roses’ Slash, a personal friend of Gayane’s.  Ron Day was the sommelier of the evening with special assistance from Steve Hampar and Matt Mateosian.  Other members of the Ladies Auxiliary, especially Jeanine Ash and Sandi Hampar, contributed to making the evening a huge success.  However, the largest thanks go to Gayane and Ishkhan for their enormous generosity.

His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian commended the members of the Ladies Society for their initiative in planning and organizing this most successful event and recommended that the Garden Soiree become an annual event.  His Eminence also expressed his thanks and appreciation to Gayane and Ishkhan Tatoulian for their warm hospitality.

Other activities and events planned and organized by the Ladies Society include a Reception and Book Signing on November 15 at 7:00 p.m. at the Diocesan Complex, with the author of “Forced into Genocide” Adrienne Alexanian.  Plans are also underway for the 45^th Annual Debutante Ball to be held on June 24, 2018 at the Beverly Hills Hotel.  For further information contact Cindy Norian (310) 277-4490 or the Western Diocese (818) 558-7474.