Local vintner receives national honor at Parkinson's event
Sunday, May 18, 2003

By JAY GOETTING
Napa Valley Register Correspondent

A well known Napa Valley vintner and advocate for Parkinson's disease research got a major award Thursday in Washington, D.C., for his accomplishments and perseverance.

Al Brounstein of Diamond Creek Vineyards was presented with the "Buddy" Award for Enduring Spirit at the 10th annual Morris K. Udall Awards at the Washington Hilton in the nation's capitol.

Brounstein has suffered with Parkinson's disease for two decades, but Parkinson's Action Network spokesperson Mary Steyer said they had sought a person who not only has the disease but remains a fighter and works on a daily basis.

At 84, Brounstein says he's slowing down a little and is passing some of his winery duties on to family members and the winery's winemaker, Phil Steinschriber.

But, "I plan on sticking with it for a long time," he said.

He has also been a leader in fund-raising for the neurological disease, with several major events in recent years topping the $700,000 mark.

"I think I've paid my dues," said Brounstein after getting news of his award. "I appreciate it and I worked for it, but it's my family that's responsible for the accolades."

Brounstein also credited the wine industry for its financial help in supporting the Parkinson's network. "Until recently, not much attention was paid to it, but they all pitched in."

"It was a perfect fit for Al," said Joan Samuelson, president of the Parkinson's Action Network. "It's a way of putting a human face on Parkinson's." Brounstein provides a symbol of hope for all Parkinson's sufferers Samuelson said from the Santa Rosa office from which she leads the national organization.

The Buddy award is named for Buddy Levenson, a popular District of Columbia figure who died several years ago after his own 20-year battle with Parkinson's. The Gala for Hope was sponsored in 2001 in his memory and five awards were presented.

This year, it was decided to combine the Levenson gala with the Parkinson's Action Network to maximize the funds available to distribute for battling the disease.

Brounstein was picked for the Buddy award from a half dozen finalists put forth as potential recipients. Brounstein was widely known in the 1950s as an entrepreneur in the wholesale pharmaceutical business in Southern California. In the '60s, after deciding on a major lifestyle change, he literally smuggled some Bordeaux grape vines into the U.S. via Mexico, purchased land near Calistoga and began working as a vintner.

The first Diamond Mountain vintage was a 1972 cabernet sauvignon. Some of his most recent efforts carry a price tag of upwards of $350 a bottle. At auction recently, a 9-liter bottle of his 1991 Diamond Lake cabernet captured $35,000.

Brounstein recently received an implant of what is termed a deep-brain stimulation device that researchers hope may help ease the tremors associated with Parkinson's. Samuelson described it as a kind of pacemaker for the brain, which regulates the production of the chemical dopamine.

Brounstein and his wife, Boots, have served as co-chairs of the Napa Valley Symphony's fund-raising auction. They have been major benefactors of the Lincoln Theater renovation project and the Brounsteins have worked closely with actor Michael J. Fox on other Parkinson's events. Brounstein's award will cap the evening's festivities on May 15, which will feature dignitaries from all walks of life. Members of the Levenson family will make the presentation to Brounstein as pictures from the Napa Valley vintner's past are flashed on the big screen above the podium.

Al Brounstein is not the first local recipient of an award at the Udall event. Last year, Greg Wasson of Cotati received the Millie Award, a presentation in honor of Millicent Kondracke for outstanding advocacy.

Jay Goetting can be reached at jgoetting@msn.com

diamond creek vineyards
1500 diamond mtn. rd.
calistoga, ca 94515
ph: 707.942.6926
fax: 707.942.6936