Disappointed I have not received an invite. -- That’s bored dough $50,000 wine club By JENNIFER GOULD KEIL Last Updated: 11:17 AM, April 15, 2013 Posted: 12:46 AM, April 15, 2013 It’s vintage Hamptons Gold Coast. A billionaire businessman is opening New York’s first wine “club” over Memorial Day, offering about 75 people memberships to his luxury hangout for $50,000 plus roughly $8,000 in annual dues — and there’s not even a restaurant. The lavishly decorated Société du Vin, owned by Houston Rockets owner Leslie Alexander, will open in Bridgehampton, where the elite think nothing of plunking down millions of dollars for a beach shack and $1 million for golf-club memberships. The East End is the summer home of deep-pocketed residents such as Revlon magnate Ron Perlman and Goldman Sachs hedge-funder Lloyd Blankfein. Rob Rich PICKY, PICKY: Hamptons billionaire Leslie Alexander is opening an ultra-exclusive wine club, the Société du Vin. The club — featuring an extravagant dark faux leather, wood and stone decor — is tucked inside a 6,800-square-foot former potato barn on Butter Lane, part of which is reserved for wine storage for members. It lacks a golf course, tennis courts or pool — but it’s got plenty to offer oenophiles. While there is no restaurant, the club does have a catering kitchen, so members can bring a chef to offer pairings for their guests, and there will be “snacks” served when members are sipping and sharing their wines. “This is a place for people who love wine and love sharing their wine,” said Alexander, who recently dropped $42 million on a Manhattan apartment. Alexander hired Hollywood set designer Elvis Restaino — who also designed actor Gerard Butler’s New York loft — to create the club. The site also offers state-of-the-art storage, including for some of Alexander’s 6,000 bottles. “There are wine clubs in Houston and California, but nothing like it in the Northeast. It was time,” Alexander told The Post. The club will be sending out targeted membership applications this week, said a Société du Vin spokeswoman. The $50,000 membership fee is refundable if someone chooses to leave. The club plans to hold about four events year where members will be able taste such vintage wines as a 1945 bottle of Petrus, which currently sells for $10,000 a pop.
I thought it was his ex-wife? Maybe it's catching. A $42 million dollar apartment recently bought in Manhattan apartment? A wine club just "because I can!" No one should ever say that Alexander is hurting financially. Bet he's had a great year in the stock market. I know it was an excellent year for me. Interesting read, basso. Thanks!
