When local vintner Katie Hamilton Shaffer was asked as a child what she wanted to be when she grew up, her answer was either to be a professional soccer player or Martha Stewart. Dancing between tomboy and hopeful entertainer, she played competitive sports while making handcrafted invitations for her childhood birthday parties and teaching herself to properly cook a filet mignon at age twelve. This childhood obsession with Martha Stewart morphed over the years into a true passion for food, wine and entertaining. But there was more: what if she could combine her passions for food, wine, and making people happy for a greater cause? It’s this thought that has directed her unique career path all these years. With her winery (Toolbox Wine Co.) having been acquired this past November, Katie’s new company Feast It Forward is set to launch later this fall. Ironically, her CEO is a brand expert and producer who launched Martha Stewart Living, taking it public while getting ten Emmy nominations and winning four Emmy Awards. Produced with her partners of Veia Productions, Feast It Forward is a new lifestyle brand and show, whose videos will live on their website and affiliate partners while marketing heavily FeastThought for within the social network. The online video show will showcase good will and charitable giving through culinary- and wine-related content. Food and wine enthusiasts (coined as “Foodies & Winos”) will learn about causes around the country, alongside the chefs and winemakers who are inspired by them. From “off the beaten path” wineries, wine country food and wine fundraisers, to vintners opening up their homes for intimate tastings and gourmet fare, this behind-the-scenes look is truly beyond the bottle. With Hamilton Shaffer as Founding Host, recurring guests on her video show will soon be developed into their own shows and for vertical content focus. This online social networking community will play a key role in growing the brand on a national level, and will serve as a backbone in building brand awareness. Think Food Network meets Martha… Additionally, Feast It Forward has already launched its first phase of wine countryinspired products. With the tagline “Inspiring Products. Philanthropic Living,” Katie is working with local premier artisans to create unique products which will help further their efforts as a portion of proceeds through items sold are donated directly to charitable causes via their FEASTit Fund. “This is just the beginning. We have some pretty big goals in regards to video content and product development,” said Hamilton Shaffer. Earlier this year, a line of gourmet spices was developed with Oxbow favorite Whole Spice; they can now be found in local shops and aim to soon be on shelves across the nation. “I tell people you could literally toss out every spice in your cabinet and just use our Feast it Forward line. They’re so universal I cook with them every night. And as a bonus, who doesn’t want to support products with a purpose?” More new releases are just around the corner. The line initially launched with a Wine Country Rub, Harissa Spice, Herbs de Provence Salt, 56 www. n A PAVA L L E Y L I F E magaz ine . c o m Chipotle & Honey Rub, Japanese Seven Spice and White Truffle Salt, and offers something for everyone. Shortly after the spices were released came spice-infused chocolates with Yountville’s favorite Kollar Chocolates. These decadent ganache bites are made by infusing her spices in sweet cream for 24 hours to create the perfect boxed gift or dessert pairing. Lastly, having previously owned a Napa wine brand, Katie’s initial release of a small production 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon was bottled last month with Maroon Vineyards and is set to release later this month. Feast It Forward looks to expand their product line into kitchenware, food goods including baby food and animal brand, cookbooks and more—top of the line products, benefiting charitable causes. Overall, the Feast It Forward website and community will house philanthropic lifestyle fans, professionals, tastemakers and brand ambassadors from around the globe, giving them an opportunity to comment, communicate and network with the same goal in mind. Feast It Forward is set to soft-launch its website this month, featuring initial informative and inspiring videos alongside their products and charitable events. Learn more at www.feastforward.com. Local vintner shoots forward into new adventure
NVLife_JulyAug_2013
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