wolffer estate

RSVIP: How Green Was My Gala

Is your gala farm-to-table sustainable? According to event co-chair and designer Nicole Miller, a party doesn't get any more crunchy-granola than Group for the East End's Green Gala on Saturday, June 19. In fact, Miller, donated bags of just that . . . granola. "I contributed BOLA Granola to the goodie bag," she said. "It's made in the Berkshires by my sister [Michelle Miller] and is sold at Cavaniola's [Sag Harbor]." In Manhattan, BOLA Granola is also available at Dean & DeLuca and Whole Foods.

But granola in the gift bag and a local farm-fresh menu didn't mean that guests wore Birkenstocks. In fact, Miller had opalescent strips on her not exactly homespun dress. "I was so happy," said the designer, "because they go with my necklace by Jacqui Toboroff that I have never had a chance to wear."

The Green Gala took place at the Wolffer Estate, a sprawling vineyard in Sagaponack, New York . . . Hamptons heartland. Amidst aligned rows of grapevines, a Wolffer Estate tasting center abuts Route 27. Turning west, past an Italianate villa structure, some 400 guests, including James Lipton of "The Actors Studio," drove across flaxen fields where they parked their Mercedes SUVs, and hopefully a few hybrid vehicles.

The local farm-fresh menu served in a breezy tent included gravlax and organic beets on baby lettuce from Early Girl Farm (the Moriches). A Wolffer verjus beurre blanc accompanied the sea bass, as well as a salad of vegetables from Cutchogue's Satur Farms. Chef Brian Fishman of Sweet Karma whipped up a local goat-cheese cake marinated in Wolffer's late harvest Chardonnay. "It was the best food I have ever had at an event . . . ever," said Miller.

Tags: eco-friendly, eventologie, green gala, hamptons, wolffer estate