Al & Mary Schaer

Cellar Club members since 1996

How has the Cellar Club enhanced your personal and professional life?
We have enjoyed meeting many interesting and entertaining people during the various events. Professionally, we invite clients and friends to the Interactive Culinary Demonstrations as well as to the wine tastings. Palme d’Or is our favorite dining experience.

What are some of your favorite travel destinations?
We’ve enjoyed world-wide travel and also visiting all the state parks in the U.S. We have been to every state — and California wins our “favorite state” award. In Europe, our favorite destinations are London and Tuscany. We also spend part of the year with our dogs in our working farm in Cooperstown, New York.

Do you have an affinity towards a particular type of cuisine?
Definitely! Our favorites are Indian, Italian and French — in that order. For more formal dining, we lean towards French.

What type of dishes do you prepare at home?
Al: I love to grill, especially steaks, lamb, fish and vegetables. Mary: Having a collection of over 1,000 cookbooks, I experiment with just about any recipe that catches my fancy — otherwise I improvise with whatever is in the house!

How did you start collecting wine?
Since we were married, we have always had a passion for wine. We enjoy good wines, though not necessarily expensive ones. Still, a neighbor recently brought over a bottle of 1961 Château Latour and it was the experience of a lifetime.

Do you have a preference for a particular region or grape varietal?
Al: I love Bordeaux, especially the Right Bank wines of St.-Emillion. Mary: I like Champagne, Alsatian and Riesling wines.

You attend numerous wine auctions. Is there a particular bid that is memorable for you?
At a charity event at the Otesaga Hotel in Cooperstown, New York, we won the bid for a bottle of Screaming Eagle as well as some wonderful bottles of Bordeaux. At the same time we won a bid for dinner for four at Chalk Hill Winery, as well as a case of great Riesling…fantastic!!

What would you say is your one true shared passion?
Having met as teenagers, we celebrate 45 years of marriage and share the love with our sons Eric, David and his wife Jofie, granddaughters Morgan and Delaney, and our dogs, Duke and Duchess. We enjoy being together, traveling, wining and dining!

What can you tell us about your beautiful dogs, Duke and Duchess?
Mary: After Katrina, we cared for our granddaughter’s Labrador, Princess, which made Al realize he wanted a dog. One morning, while Al went kayaking, I went to Petsmart with a friend. Although Al wanted one dog, these two had bonded and could not be separated, so an “executive decision” was made to get “one set” of dogs. We’ve never regretted it! We urge everyone to adopt a loyal dog...or two.

What has been the most memorable experience (so far!) you have had at the Biltmore?
The Valentine Royal Champagne Gala Dinner was a breathtaking experience: from the decorations, to the food, wines and the atmosphere. Since we met on Valentine’s Day, this event brought back beautiful memories.