A night of wine, tarot, and community featuring six wines paired with notable NYC Marathon landmarks in support of Memorial Sloan Kettering through Fred’s Team.
Despite not being a bona fide comic book expert, I’ve always loved a good origin story. For me, it’s a bit of a love language: remembering the moment of connection with someone, or tracing the threads that reveal how a person, place, or idea came to be. This tendency shows up in the kinds of questions I’m forever asking: How did this begin? Where did that tradition come from? What was the moment when the spark first caught? Whether it’s a friendship, a ritual, a bottle of wine, or a creative idea, I’m endlessly curious about the backstory — the humble, often invisible beginnings that eventually grow into something meaningful.
Strangely enough, I don’t quite recall the exact moment Caroline Cala Donofrio entered my life. What I do remember is how much I enjoyed her thoughtful contributions to Cup of Jo over the years — the kind of writing that feels both warm and insightful. Somewhere along the way, this led me to her Substack newsletter, The Magic Hour (formerly Between a Rock and a Card Place), where her reflections on tarot, intuition, and everyday life continued to resonate. In addition to her eloquent essays, Caroline regularly includes a Tarot card reading at the end of each weekly newsletter and occasionally offers subscribers the opportunity to book one-on-one readings with her over Zoom.
My Tarot-curious state (which you can read about in more detail here) led me to sign up for an hour-long reading early last year. Whatever nerves I had going into the session quickly melted away once Caroline’s warm demeanor came across the screen. She began with a gentle introduction to Tarot, eventually describing the practice as a conduit for deeper conversations with oneself. What started as a small connection on the internet (a little early-aughts nostalgia, perhaps?) gradually deepened over Zoom before blossoming into this lovely friendship. In truth, Caroline’s relatability (whether through blogs, screens, or in person) has long made it feel as though we’d already been friends for much longer.
After finally meeting Caroline IRL, when she attended my Tarot-themed tasting last summer, she mentioned that she’d be running the NYC Marathon that November for the fourth time. This time, though, she’d be doing it for charity, running with Fred’s Team to raise money for Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) Cancer Center. Little did she know that I’ve long been something of a marathon groupie for my closest friends, happily traveling to Boston, Philadelphia, and Chicago to cheer them on from the sidelines, and even volunteering with New York Road Runners for a few races.
marathon groupie reporting for duty at the 2023 NYC Marathon
Before I could even think twice, I found myself asking if she’d be open to hosting a wine tasting fundraiser to support her efforts. The truth is, cancer doesn’t discriminate — it cuts across age, background, and circumstance, touching lives in ways that are both immediate and deeply personal. For most of us, it isn’t an abstract concept, but something we’ve encountered through someone we love: a parent, a friend, a colleague, a neighbor. It quietly reshapes the everyday, shifting perspectives and priorities in its wake. And yet, within that shared reality is also something connective: a collective desire to support one another, to advance research, and to hold onto hope for what lies ahead.
And so, Magic: The (Wine) Gathering was born!
📬 Email: Friendly reminder this will likely be cut off in your inbox! This particular newsletter will be best viewed via Substack app or in your preferred browser. Happy reading 🙏
THE CONCEPT
This fundraiser was, in fact, originally meant to take place ahead of last year’s NYC Marathon. In our excitement, we briefly entertained the idea of pulling together something thoughtful and elaborate in the span of just a few weeks, a timeline (in hindsight) felt a bit too ambitious given everything else surrounding race season. Rather than rush what we knew could be something meaningful, Caroline and I decided to give the idea the time and care it deserved, setting our sights instead on the next big moment on Fred’s Team’s calendar: the NYC Half Marathon in March.
However, in the spirit of what inspired us to collaborate in the first place, I wanted to hold onto our original tasting concept. Last year, I had asked Caroline to share five or six of her most memorable moments along the NYC Marathon course — not limited to specific miles, but any noteworthy point before, during, or after the race that stood out to her. These personal markers became our anchors, layered alongside the boroughs themselves, shaping the wine pairings into something more narrative and intimate, as a reflection not just of the route, but of her lived experience of it.
THE COURSE (Caroline’s Version)
Miles 1-2: Staten Island, Verrazano-Narrows Bridge
Limnad 2020 Chardonnay ‘Blanc de Blancs’ Extra Brut
“Where it all begins. The Verrazano (which includes the start line and first two miles of the course) is the highest elevation point of the race, bathed in sunlight, dotted with helicopters and cameras and boats spouting colored streams. From here, you can see the Manhattan skyline glinting in the distance. (It feels far. Sort of unbelievably far, considering you’ll have to run there.) Some 55,000 runners will cross it, each with their own mix of hopes and fears. Frank Sinatra’s ‘New York, New York’ blasts at the starting line. The energy is high, and so is the sense of possibility.” —Caroline (CCD)
“Limnad is the sparkling wine project by Red Tail Ridge winemaker Nancy Irelan. This Blanc de Blancs is traditional method sparkling wine of Chardonnay from New York state (specifically the Finger Lakes), kicking off Race Day where Frank Sinatra’s love song to New York blasts at the starting line in Staten Island. Wine was disgorged during Spring 2025, around the same time as last year’s marathon runners likely started training for it.” —Stefie (SKA)
Miles 3-13: Brooklyn, Pulaski Bridge
Lés-a-Lés 2022 Encostas d’Aire ‘Medieval de Ourém’
“Spanning over ten miles of course, runners spend a great deal of time in Brooklyn. Yet the neighborhoods are so varied, and so distinct in character, that it feels more like running through a half dozen different cities. From Bay Ridge to Sunset Park to Park Slope to Fort Greene to Clinton Hill to Williamsburg to Greenpoint… you’ll pass live music, humorous signs, families cheering from stoops and bros cheering from brunch.” —CCD
“Medieval de Ourém is a Portuguese palhete (a traditional farmer-style blend) from Lés-a-Lés inspired by an 800-year-old recipe believed to reflect one of the earliest forms of co-fermented wine. Made predominantly from white grapes with a touch of red, this field blend mirrors the mosaic of neighborhoods runners pass through along this stretch of the Big Race.” —SKA
Miles 13-15: Queens, Queensboro Bridge
G.D. Vajra 2020 Barolo ‘Albe’
“Pretty much everybody dreads the Queensboro. You’ve just crossed the halfway point, and it dawns on you that you still have a whole half marathon to go. The bridge itself is covered, so it feels akin to running through a shady tunnel. And because there are no spectators allowed, it’s eerily silent, save for the sound of footsteps and breath. It starts off peaceful, but as you reach the far side, you can hear the roar of the crowd awaiting you on First Avenue. It’s characterized as dark, but that’s deceptive, as it has a strong (and uplifting!) finish.” —CCD
”The high-elevation vineyards of Nebbiolo in Piemonte, like those that contribute to G.D. Vajra’s Albe from Barolo, evoke the final mountain to climb in the latter stages of the Big Race. Many of these vineyards are south-facing, maximizing sun exposure essential for ripening, not unlike the surge of the crowd, whose energy brings light and lift to the journey through even the shadiest stretches.” —SKA
“First Avenue is one long (and I do mean LONG) party, lined with spectators cheering on both sides. If you’re into signs — funny, touching, encouraging, giant head-on-a-stick — here’s where you’ll see plenty. It’s bright and cheerful, which is what’s needed at this late leg of the journey. You have to be careful not to get carried away in the energy and remember to conserve energy. As you head out of Manhattan toward the Bronx, the finish line still feels far away.” —CCD
“The label of this Bondesir, a Loire Valley Chenin Blanc from Frantz Saumon, resembles the energetic ‘party’ that happens along First Avenue, always lined with spectators cheering on both sides.” —SKA
Miles 20-21: The Bronx, Willis Avenue + Madison Avenue Bridges
“The journey through the Bronx is short and sweet. The crowd is always electric, bringing Vaseline (for chafing), bananas (for electrolytes), vats of Icy Hot (for all that ails you), and signage (for morale). It may not be a lengthy stretch, and it may not get all the glory, but it sustains you.” —CCD
“The energy and charge-up from the short but sweet time with the crowd here is not unlike the electric acidity and kiss of off-dry sweetness found in this Riesling Kabinett from Germany’s Rheinhessen, as each sustains palates and runners alike.” —SKA
Miles 21-26.2: Manhattan, Fred Lebow Statue + Central Park Finish Line
“Last but certainly not least, we reach the reason everyone (both runners at large, and those of us running for Fred’s Team) is here: a man named Fred Lebow. Fred founded the New York City Marathon in 1970, back when it was a run around Central Park with just 55 finishers. He believed running had the power to change lives, and after he was diagnosed with brain cancer in 1990, he became determined to use running as a means to battle the disease. He designated MSK (where he received treatment) as the New York City Marathon’s first charity partner.” —CCD
“A blend of indigenous varieties, this Sicilian rosato, Jungimmune, takes its name from a local dialect phrase meaning ‘let’s come together’. Paired with a label that evokes runners crossing the finish line, it felt like an apropos conclusion to our tasting journey.” —SKA
Magic: The (Wine) Gathering wineup, in preferred “drinking” order
While many guests chose to “run” the NYC Marathon alongside Caroline (i.e., following the wines in pairing order as mapped to the racecourse), others opted for a more traditional approach, enjoying the lineup in classic drinking sequence: sparkling to start, followed by white, rosé, red, and finishing with something sweet. Both paths offered their own rhythm and experience, whether moving through the wines as a story of the race or savoring them in a more familiar, time-honored progression. After all, any race, literal or proverbial, is ultimately up to the participant; whatever path is chosen is the one that’s meant for them.
our smorgasbord of snacks
Caroline put together the most wonderful spread of snacks for everyone to enjoy. She also offered mini Tarot readings for anyone who was interested in having one!
Caroline and her witchy station
THE WINEUP
Magic: The (Wine) Gathering wineup
Limnad 2020 Chardonnay ‘Blanc de Blancs’ Extra Brut
Leon & Son Wine 🇺🇸 sparkling white Chardonnay Verrazano-Narrows Bridge ・ zippy & stunning ・ aperitivo apt
Lés-a-Lés 2022 Encostas d’Aire ‘Medieval de Ourém’
Leon & Son Wine NLC Wines (New York) | 🇵🇹 still red Fernão Pires / Tinta Amarela (Trincadeira) Pulaski Bridge ・ chillable & crushable ・ Palhete party
G.D. Vajra 2020 Barolo ‘Albe’
Leon & Son Wine (1.5L, magnum) Giuliana Imports (Colorado) | 🇮🇹 still red Nebbiolo Queensboro Bridge ・ bright as the dawn ・ bargain Barolo
Jersey Wine & Spirits Corkhoarder (New York) | 🇩🇪 still white Riesling Willis Avenue + Madison Avenue Bridges ・ killer Kabinett ・ sweet sustenance
Gustinella 2023 Vino Rosato ‘Jungimmune’
$43 @ Eataly Vino NY Corkhoarder (New York) | 🇮🇹 sparkling rosé Grenache / Minnella Nera / Garganega (Grecanico) / Minnella Bianca Fred Lebow Statue + Finish Line at Central Park・ raspberry & pomegranate ・ wildflowers
tasting remains
THE CODA
As I mentioned in my annual Pi Day tribute to my late father, it feels like kismet that the recent 26th anniversary of his passing aligns so closely with the approximate distance of a marathon. There’s something remarkable in that parallel: a measure of endurance, of memory, of the long road carried forward. That resonance made our decision to collaborate on this tasting this year feel all the more intentional, a way of honoring both the distance and the journey, and of turning remembrance into something shared, purposeful, and alive.
evening in full swing
We were so grateful for the incredible turnout — the space felt full in every sense of the word. Guests leaned into the storytelling behind each pairing, fully engaged in the arc of the NYC Marathon through the wines with genuine curiosity. Caroline’s mini Tarot readings, centered on the spread of “Past, Present, Future”, added another layer of reflection and connection. It was one of those heartwarming gatherings where conversation flowed as easily as the wine, and where the collective openness of the group made the experience feel both intimate and expansive.
me with my mom, my godsister Laura, & Auntie Anissa
It was also so wonderful to have many family and friends in attendance, especially those with loved ones who have received the best care thanks to MSK.
me with Aneri & Dev
As I thought about how I wanted to conclude this Substack post, I looked to a Tarot deck for further inspiration. Here’s where I landed:
Knight of Cups: following the heart, romanticism, idealist
Four of Cups: opportunity, contemplation
The Hierophant: tradition, conformity, stability
Magic: The (Wine) Gathering felt deeply aligned with the spirit of the Knight of Cups, as an invitation to follow one’s heart with openness and intention. When I asked Caroline to share six of her favorite moments from running the NYC Marathon, her responses were as thoughtful and heartfelt as one could hope for, each memory carrying its own visceral weight and emotional resonance. If she was willing to offer that kind of openness, it only felt right to meet her there, translating her reflections into the pairings I sketched out — wines chosen not just for place or style, but for the feelings they were meant to hold, as if we were running right alongside her.
The Four of Cups reminds us that stepping outside of one’s comfort zone can be just as rewarding as deepening what we already know. Neither Caroline nor I had ever organized a fundraiser like this before, and yet, in leaning into the unfamiliar, we found something both significant and fulfilling. I’m incredibly proud of what we were able to bring to life together, welcoming 36 guests and raising just over $1,800 in support of Memorial Sloan Kettering through Fred’s Team. It felt like a small but tangible testament that saying yes to something new can open the door to impact far beyond what we might have imagined.
As for The Hierophant, I find myself thinking of Fred Lebow, the man whose memory and legacy live on through the collective efforts of those who run with and support Fred’s Team. A figure of guidance and shared belief, The Hierophant feels especially fitting here: an illustration of how one person’s vision can shape a community and endure far beyond their time. Through each step taken and each dollar raised, we carry that vision forward, participating in something larger than ourselves — an enduring expression of purpose, generosity, and hope.
Forever at the Finish Line (Fred Lebow statue) by Jesus Ygnacio Dominguez (source)
To Suhail and Saltwater Coffee: thank you for letting us use the coffee shop’s Lower East Side location as the venue for our fundraiser.
To Caroline: thank you for being a dream collaborator, especially in service of such a meaningful cause as Fred’s Team. Joining forces on this event has filled my cup in more ways than I can count. And as always, thank you for introducing me to a way of appreciating and exploring the art of Tarot with such kindness, patience, and wonder.
Stefie! What a gorgeous recap and meaningful tribute. It just made me cry openly on the subway, in the best possible way. Thank you so much for coming into my life and sharing your warmth, generosity, and gifts with me (and with all of us!). I am so grateful to know you and hope we can continue to bring more magic into the world. ❤️
Stefie! What a gorgeous recap and meaningful tribute. It just made me cry openly on the subway, in the best possible way. Thank you so much for coming into my life and sharing your warmth, generosity, and gifts with me (and with all of us!). I am so grateful to know you and hope we can continue to bring more magic into the world. ❤️
This sounds incredible! I wish I had been there with you in NYC. Sending lots of love from Canada.