Enjoy Spectacular Wine And Food At Great Parties While Doing Good

Wine and philanthropy go hand in hand.  Charity wine auctions achieved remarkable success in 2019, many surpassing their 2018 totals, some setting their highest totals ever and projections look great for 2020.  Several of these auctions are single-day events, while others are the centerpiece of a several day festival and some include hosting of special events throughout the year.  Multiple revenue streams are derived from ticket sales, corporate sponsorships and ancillary events as well as the silent and live auction items.  Charity wine auctions are fabulous parties offering wonderful camaraderie but the main focus of these auctions is a commitment to children as well as to local community charities.   While it’s a shame to miss the rousing action, many of these auctions also offer online as well as mobile bidding.  Charity wine auctions offer great opportunities to meet vintners, discover new wines, taste rare and/or difficult to find wines, acquire fantastic bottles of wine while benefitting worthy causes, meet new friends, bid on unique lots and travel fantasies, make a vacation out of it.  There are numerous multi-day food and wine festivals throughout the country, supported by vintners all over the world, that combine a great location with a spectacular assortment of food, wine and fun.

Charity wine auctions enable everyday wine enthusiasts, as well as connoisseurs and collectors, to expand their cellars, obtaining old, rare, highly sought after bottles, ready-to-drink bottles and ample bargains.  Generous wineries often donate unreleased bottles also and travel companies donate trips, tours and tastings for priceless experiences.  Ticket prices and winning bids are generally in part tax-deductible.

Following is a chronological listing of a number of America’s top charity wine auctions, with their 2020 schedules.  Following this are descriptions of their 2019 auction events as well as plans for their 2020 festivities.  As of this writing, the Naples Winter Wine Festival  has already held its 2020 event.

Top Charity Wine Auctions 2020 Schedules

Naples Winter Wine Festival, 20th Annual – January 24-26, Naples, Florida

Southwest  Florida Wine & Food Festival, 12th Annual — Sunday, February 23, Bonito Springs, Florida

Classic Wines Auction, 36th Annual – Saturday, March 7, Portland, Oregon

Orlando Wine Festival & Auction, 2nd Annual — March 13-15, Orlando, Florida

Destin Charity Wine Auction, 15th Annual – April 24-26, Destin, Florida

Inspire Napa Valley, 3rd Annual — May 1-3, Napa Valley, California

A Culinary Evening With The California Winemasters, 31st Annual – Saturday, May 16, Burbank, California

Silicon Valley Wine Auction, 6th Annual, May 16-17, Saratoga, California

Auction Napa Valley, 40th Annual – June 4-7, Napa Valley, California

Sun Valley Wine Auction, 39th Annual, July 16-18, Sun Valley, Idaho

L’Ete du Vin, 41st Annual – July 31-August 1, Nashville, Tennessee

Festival Napa Valley Arts For All Gala, 15th Annual — Sunday, July 19, St. Helena, California

WineaPAWlooza, 7th Annual — July 24-25, Napa Valley, California

V Wine Celebration, 22nd Annual – August 1-4, Napa Valley, California

Auction of Washington Wines, 33rd Annual – August 13-15, Woodinville, Washington

Napa Valley Harvest Stomp Wine Auction, 13th Annual — August 22, Napa Valley, California

Sonoma County Wine Auction, 28th Annual – September 17-19, Sonoma Valley, California

Vintage Affaire, 37th Annual – September,  Woodside, California

Detroit International Wine Auction, 39th Annual – Saturday, October 17, Detroit, Michigan

Chesapeake Bay Wine Classic, 30th Annual – November 5-7, Virginia Beach, Virginia

Emeril Lagasse’s Carnivale du Vin, 16th Annual — Novermber 7, New Orleans, Louisiana

 The 30th Annual Culinary Evening With The California Winemasters Raised Over $1.7 Million In 2019 For The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation hosted “A Culinary Evening with the California Winemasters” on May 18 on the historic “Midwest Street” backlot at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, California.  Wine and food lovers, numbering 1,450,  from across the country attended the event, raising their glasses simultaneously at the start of the live program to toast a cure for Cystic Fibrosis.  The event raised over $1.7 million, bringing the total dollars raised for Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s vital research and care centers since the event’s inception to just under $34 million.

Guests enjoyed fabulous wining and dining under the stars in the setting of a quintessential Any Town USA, always a sold-out extravaganza.  Throughout the exciting, magical evening, attendees delighted in a dazzling sampling of gourmet cuisine from over 55 internationally acclaimed celebrity chefs, paired with wines from over 75 of California’s most talented winemakers, while participating in silent and live auctions offering over 700 items.  Extraordinary items offered for bidding included  rare collector wines, lifestyle experiences and travel fantasies.  From 5 pm to 8 pm, guests strolled along the charming, tree-lined streets of Warner Bros. largest backlot, sipping wine, tasting gourmet food and bidding on over 600 items in the silent auction. The L.A. Allstars Band performed high energy sets on the main stage.  The rousing live auction, led by Auctioneer Dawnmarie Kotsonis, began at 8 pm.  Fritz Coleman, NBC’s Weathercaster, was the Celebrity Co-Auctioneer and Paul Frank, Founder of Gemstone Vineyard was the Resident Wine Expert and Wine Lots Auctioneer.

The 2019 event was another extravagant auction.  The live auction included “All About Romance in Italy” that sold for $22,000 and included luxury accommodations for two in Lake Como, Venice, Tuscany and Veneto.  A 2-week wine tasting holiday in Argentina with visits to acclaimed wineries and a side trip to Patagonia sold for $23,000 and “Magical Iceland,” an 8-day all luxury gourmet adventure was purchased for $26,000.  The bidding for an afternoon of magic and mystery for 50 couples at the Houdini Mansion sold for $25,000, and a 7-night stay for four couples in a 4-bedroom Ocean Villa at the stunning Grand Luxxe Resort in Puerto Vallarta sold for $34,000.

Live auction wine lots included the “2015 Appellation Collection: A Luxury Collection of 17 Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignons” selling for $5,000; a 3.0 L of 2012 Peter Michael Les Pavots which sold for $7,500 and a case of the finest Bordeaux from 1990 that had a sale price of $15,000.  One magnum each of Chateau Quintus and Chateau Haut Brion Blanc sold for $9,000.

Napa Chefs Itamar Abramovitch and Nate Smith of Blossom Catering of Blossom Catering Company wowed the crowd with their dishes as did Chef Jason Naaman of Tarla Mediterranean Grill.  New Napa Valley wineries joining this year’s event included Artesa, Baldacci, Michael Mondavi Family Estate, Oakville Ranch and Silverado Vineyards.

Winemasters is one of the most important CFF fundraisers in the U.S. and one of the largest single-day charity wine auctions in the world.  Barbara Balik, Auction Organizer and Director of Special Giving, says it is thanks to new treatments that people with cystic fibrosis are now living one year longer for every year of research.  Sponsors, vintners, chefs and guests understand their support is the reason for this lifesaving reprieve.  According to Founding Sponsor and Co-Chairman, Allen Balik, the event is a unique gourmet experience, offering something for everyone, and it is a particularly worthwhile charity event in that 91 cents of every dollar raised goes directly into Cystic Fibrosis research and cure programs, making this the highest percentage of any non-profit organization in the country.

The 31st Annual Culinary Evening with the California Winemasters is set for Saturday, May 16, 2020, at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank.  Honorary Culinary Chairman from Peninsula Beverly Hills is David Codney, Honorary Wine Chairman is Michael Beaulac, Winemaker/General Manager of Pine Ridge Vineyards and First Honorary Chairman is Michael Mondavi. Please contact Barbara Balik for further information and registration: Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, telephone 323-939-0758 or Barbara Balik, telephone 707-258-1661, email bbalik@cff.org.  For additional information on wineries, chefs and restaurants, tickets and special patron packages, please see the California Winemasters website: www.californiawinemasters.org.

The 19th Annual Naples Winter Wine Festival Held In January 2019 Raised Nearly $16 Million for Children’s Charities;
The 20th Annual Festival Held in January 2020 Raised Over $20 Million

Since its inaugural event in 2001, the always exquisite Naples Winter Wine Festival has raised more than $212 million for underprivileged and at-risk children in Collier County in Southwest Florida.  The 19th Annual Wine Festival, a sold-out festival including four days of wine-related events,  that took place January 24-27 in picturesque Naples, Florida, raised close to $16 million, above 2018’s $15.3 million. Each year the main event is a live auction under the tent at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, followed the next day with a celebration brunch at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort.  Top lots in 2019 were an Adriatic cruise and a lot of double magnums of Screaming Eagle’s first eight vintages. The 20th Annual Festival brought in over $20 million. Top lots in 2020 were a 1-week trip for five couples to either southern France or Italy aboard the super yacht Majestic that sold for $1,050,000 and the 2020 Aston Martin from the James Bond thriller No Time to Die that sold for $550,000.

The Naples Children & Education Foundation (NCEF), the Naples Winter Wine Festival’s founding organization, has delivered grants to more than 40 non-profit organizations in its 20-year history, benefiting more than 275,000 local children. For information on the Naples Winter Wine Festival, telephone Barrett Farmer 239-514-2239, 888-837-4919, email barrett@napleswinefestival.com or visit www.napleswinefestival.

The 11th Annual Southwest Florida Wine & Food Fest Held in 2019 Raised Over $1.9 Million to Benefit Pediatric Health Care

SWFL Children’s Charities, Inc.’s 2019 Southwest Florida Wine & Food Fest raised more than $1.9  million, with 100 percent of the proceeds directly benefiting pediatric health care in Southwest Florida.  The event took place on February 24 at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa in Bonita Springs with 225 guests bidding on 37 auction lots, featuring an array of exquisite wines, luxurious travel packages and exclusive event access.  Southwest Florida Wine & Food Fest, the signature fundraiser for SWFL Children’s Charities, has raised over $23 million for local beneficiaries throughout the 5-county region of Lee, Collier, Hendry, Charlotte and Glades.

Some of the top lots included an evening aboard a luxury yacht, a trip to attend the Country Music Awards in Nashville, a 6-night stay aboard a luxury yacht sailing to the Bahamas, a swim lesson and pool party with Michael Phelps, and sojourns to Croatia and Portugal.

For information about SWFL Children’s Charities Inc. or its annual signature fundraiser, the 12th Annual Southwest Florida Wine & Food Fest scheduled for February 23rd this year, visit www.swflwinefest.org.

Rodeo Uncorked! Champion Wine Auction & Dinner Took Place In Houston in 2019 Focusing On The Cultural Arts

Rodeo Uncorked! has two major events, the Champion Wine Auction & Dinner and the Roundup & Best Bites Competition.  The Roundup & Best Bites which was held February 17 in the NRG Center in Houston is one of the largest gourmet food and wine events in the world.  It featured award-winning wines from the International Wine Competition that took place in November 2018, paired with dishes from Houston restaurants.  The Champion Wine Auction & Dinner occurred on February 24 at the NRG Center.  Live auction bids brought in $1.7 million for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo with a focus on cultural arts, workshops and scholarships for the people involved and their families.

For information on Rodeo Uncorked! to be held February 23 and March 1, telephone 832-667-1000 or visit www.questions@rodeohouston.com.

The 35th Annual Classic Wines Auction In Portland, Oregon Raised  Nearly $3 Million In 2019 To Benefit Oregon Families In Need

The Classic Wines Auction (CWA) has raised more than $46 million for Portland-area charities supporting over one million individuals since 1982.  The 2019 auction and other related events raised close to $3 million for its five benefitting charities, supporting over 35,000 children and families in need.  The gala signature event, held in the Oregon Convention Center’s Portland Ballroom, on March 2 was attended by about 825 wine enthusiasts who bid on over 280 exciting live and silent packages being auctioned off by Fritz Hatton.

In addition to the auction, throughout the year, there are special tastings, luncheons and dinners, winemaker dinners in the Fall and Spring, a Walla Walla Wine Tasting in February, Corks and Forks, a huge wine and food event in June, sponsored by local wineries and restaurants and various winemaker dinners throughout the spring and fall.

For information on the 36th Annual Classic Wines Auction to be held Saturday, March 7, 2020, telephone 503-972-0194, email info@classicwinesauction.com or visit their website:  www.classicwinesauction.com.

The 1st Annual Orlando Wine Festival & Auction Held In 2019 Was A Very Successful Blend Of Wine And Basketball

The inaugural Orlando Wine Festival & Auction which took place March 15-17 at the Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes is committed to helping children in Central Florida realize their full potential, benefitting the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation (OMYF).  The event began with a weekend of exclusive vintner dinners hosted at private homes throughout Orlando, followed by an outdoor food and wine tasting extravaganza and a live and e-auction, culminating with a VIP game day experience at an Orlando Magic game and an invitation to the OMYF grant ceremony.  All of the administrative costs are covered by the DeVos family of Orlando.

For information on the 2nd Annual Orlando Wine Festival & Auction to be held March 13-15, 2020, telephone 407-951-5341 or visit www.wineauctionorlando.com.

 

The 14th Annual Destin Charity Wine Auction In 2019 Raised $3.6 Million For Children In Need In Northwest Florida

Since its inception in 2005, Destin Charity, through hosting world class wine and culinary events, has donated over $18 million to Northwest Florida children’s charities, helping on issues ranging from mental health and autism to emergency aid and developmental growth.  Taking place at Miramar Beach, April 26-28, the auction is the flagship for three days of wine and fun filled events  featuring wine tastings and private dinners, culminating with a live and silent auction.  The white sand beaches of Northwest Florida’s Emerald Coast offer a picture perfect setting.  The weekend kicked off with a number of intimate Patron dinners.  Saturday was the Reserve Tasting and Auction at Sandestin Town Center’s North Lawn in Miramar Beach.  The South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival took place on Sunday also at Sandestin Town Center.

The 15th Annual Destin Charity Wine Auction is scheduled for April 24-26, 2020. For more information about the 8th Annual South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival, and to obtain tickets, visit: www.sowalwine.com.  For more information about the 15th Annual Destin Charity Wine Auction, telephone 850-650-3732, email info@dcwaf.org or visit: www.dcwaf.org.

Inspire Napa Valley’s 2nd Annual Wine Auction Held May 3-5 Raised $1.3 Million

Inspire Napa Valley’s 2nd Annual Wine Auction Held May 3-5, 2019 raised $1.3 million in an epic weekend benefitting the Alzheimer’s community, raising critical funds and awareness of the disease, with all funds raised going to the Alzheimer’s Association for research and treatment.  Founded by wine industry figure Kerrin Laz of Laz Wines in 2017 when her mother was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s in 2014.  The event included dinners, tastings, the auction and brunch at Rudd Estate Winery and Hotel Villagio at the Estate Yountville.

The 3rd Annual Inspire Napa Valley is scheduled for May 1-3, 2020 at Meadowood.  For more information telephone 707-415-5040, email Kerrin Laz at kerrin.laz@inspirenapavalley.org or visit www.inspirenapavalley.org.

The Silicon Valley Wine Auction In 2019, Its 5th Year, Has Raised Over $2.5 Million For Public Education Programs

The 5th Annual Silicon Valley Wine Auction held  May 18-19 at Villa Montalvo in Saratoga was another successful event.  Since its debut in 2014, the event has raised over $2.5 million for education programs of the Silicon Valley Education Foundation and the Santa Cruz Mountains Winegrowers Association.  More than 1000 guests enjoyed premium local wines poured by 40 vintners and fabulous silent and live auction lots at Eden Estates, home of Apple Vice President John Couch.  The Grand Wine Tasting extravaganza held at Montalvo Arts Center hosted 300 guests.

The 6th Annual Silicon Valley Wine Auction will be held May 16-17, 2020 at Eden Estates nestled in the rolling foothills of Saratoga.  For more information about the  2020 Silicon Valley Wine Auction, telephone Megan Metz  831-685-8463, email megan@svwa.org, or visit www.siliconvalleywineauction.org.

The 39th Annual Auction Napa Valley Raised Nearly $12 Million In 2019 For Community Health and Children’s Education

More than 900 guests filled the grounds at Meadowood Resort in Napa Valley where lively and generous bidding raised nearly $12 million for the non-profit charities that provide community health and children’s education to Napa Valley residents.  The country’s most celebrated charity wine auction, hosted by the Napa Valley Vintners Association, is one of the largest charity wine auctions in the world. To date, Auction Napa Valley has invested close to $200 million in Napa County non-profit organizations, benefiting over 100,000 clients since the event’s inception in 1981.

The Auction at Meadowood Resort was the focal point of an exciting weekend, May 30 – June 2, of a barrel auction, private dinners and special wine tastings held throughout the Valley.  The rousing live auction, featuring pop star Katy Perry, and gaveled by renowned auctioneers Fritz Hatton and Ursula Hermacinski, contributed to Auction Napa Valley’s remaining among America’s top charity wine auctions.  The top lot was a travel package of Italy with magnums of Tim Mondavi’s Continuum’s red blend in custom-designed bottles selling for $530,000.  The Napa Valley Barrel Auction held at the recently renovated Louis M. Martini Winery in St. Helena, now owned by the Gallo family was attended by nearly 2000 people. After the auction, dinner under the stars was prepared by chefs from the Michael Mina group and Ayesha Curry.

The 40th Annual Auction Napa Valley will offer three glitzy days of wine, food and festivities from June 4-7, 2020.   For information regarding Auction Napa Valley, call 707-963-3388; email reception2@napavintners.com or visit www.napavintners.com.

The 14th Annual Festival Napa Valley’s Arts For All Gala held July 14, 2019 In St. Helena, Raised  $2.6 Million

Part of the Annual Ten Best Days of Summer, Festival Napa Valley raised $2.6 million at its Arts for All Gala, wine country’s biggest arts charity event, held Sunday, July 14 at Hall St. Helena.  Renowned Auctioneer Fritz Hatton energized the 400 guests. Entertainment was provided by Grammy Award Winner SEAL. Top lots included a private concert at the Napa Valley Reserve by Tony Bennett that sold for $450,000, trips to Wimbledon and the Venice Film Festival and a stay at the private Caribbean island of Mustique in support of the Festival’s mission of making arts accessible to all.  Proceeds from the evening provide free and affordable access to world-class performances, as well as supporting public school arts education programs in Napa County, scholarships for emerging musicians and the Festival’s tuition-free Blackburn Music Academy. Since its inception, the event has raised over $8 million in support of the Festival and its diverse music education programs.   The Festival’s summer season experienced record-setting performances, presentation of 70 concerts, events and programs, including 22 admission-free events.

According to Festival Napa Valley President and CEO, Rick Walker, the performing arts organization has transformed California’s wine country into a cultural destination.  The 15th season of Festival Napa Valley is scheduled for July 17-26, 2020.  The Annual Arts for All Gala will be held Sunday, July 19.  For information, telephone 888-337-6272 and check out the website: www.festivalnapavalley.org.

 

The 38th Annual Sun Valley Wine Auction Held July 18-20, 2019, In Sun Valley, Idaho, Raised Over $1.5 Million

Enjoy summer in the mountains experiencing breathtaking beauty of the surroundings while tasting spectacular wines paired with food from world-class chefs, exclusive Vintner Dinners, Auction Gala and Wine Tasting and Vine and Dine.  Over 1000 attendees delighted in three days of wine, food and friendship.  The Wine Auction, which raised over $1.5 million, sustains Sun Valley Center’s year-round arts and educational programs for adults, youth and families to enrich the community.

The Wine Auction Gala took place in Dollar Mountain Lodge Tent, featuring wines, food and live entertainment.  Vine and Dine is a lawn party with wines, tapas, live music and dancing at the Dollar Mountain Lodge.  Vintner dinners are hosted in exquisite private homes.

For information regarding the 39th Annual Sun Valley Wine Auction to be held July 16-18, 2020, and ticket purchase, telephone 208-726-9491, email Wine Auction Director Callan Miranda, cmiranda@sunvalleycenter.org, or visit: www.sunvalleycenter.org/wineauction.

The 40th Annual L’Ete du Vin Held July 20 and 26-27, 2019 In Nashville, Tennessee Raised Over $1.1 Million

L’Ete du Vin (A Summer of Wine), which takes place annually in Nashville, included tasting events of accompanied by gourmet dinners and luxury items up for bid at silent and live auctions, with proceeds benefitting various organizations dedicated to fighting  cancer.   The 2019 event, raising over $1.1 million, took place over three days with four sold out events,  special tastings and dinners.  Additional events of the Nashville Wine Auction were held  throughout the year.  The signature event, the Grand Auction, was held at JW Marriott.  Established in 1980, the Nation’s longest-running charity wine auction, Nashville Wine Auction has raised over $25 million for organizations whose purpose is directly related to the treatment, patient care, and eradication of cancer in Middle Tennessee.

The Nashville Wine Auction also hosted Pairings, the  Ultimate Food & Wine Weekend in February to kick off events for 2019, the Grand Cru Evening in June, Vintners’ Tasting and Patrons’ Dinner in July, as well as the Grand Auction,  and two events in October, Champagne and Chardonnay for the Ladies and a Dinner for the Men.

Please contact L’Ete du Vin for further information and registration for the 41st Annual event July 31 to August 1, 2020, email: info@nashvillewineauction.com; Telephone: 615-329-1760; Fax: 615-329-1704; L’Ete du Vin website: www.nashvillewineauction.com.

The 6th Annual WineaPAWlooza Held July 19-20, 2019, In Napa Valley Was A Very Successful Event

The 6th Annual WineaPAWlooza took place July 19-20, 2019 in Napa Valley benefitting Jameson Animal Rescue Ranch.  The event kicked off with a Grand Tasting and a Lifestyle Live Auction with Fritz Hatton as auctioneer at a private Oakville estate.  The next day featured the Legendary Pet Parade, wine, food and rock ‘n roll.  The live bids amounted to $1.4 Million.

The Jameson Animal Rescue Ranch, founded in 2014 by David and Monica Stevens, is a no-kill rescue and sanctuary in Napa Valley for companion and farm animals in need.  The non-profit provides transitional and permanent shelter, adoption and rescue services, humane education, animal advocacy and is committed to ending animal hunger, cruelty and overpopulation.

For information regarding the 7th Annual WineaPAWlooza to be held July 24-25, 2020, telephone 707-927-3536, email helpinganimals@jamesrescueranch.org or visit the website, www.jamesonanimalrescueranch.org.

The 21st Annual V Wine Celebration Took Place August 1-4, 2019 In Napa Valley Raising Over $7 Million

The V Wine Celebration is a world-class wine event and auction benefiting The V Foundation for Cancer Research.  Set in Napa Valley, this annual event brings together 500 prominent members of the sports, entertainment, technology, investment, medical and winemaking worlds to raise money to fund vital research in the fight against all types of cancer.  To date, the V Wine Celebration, raising over $115 million since its first event in 1999, has helped fund more than 600 research programs at medical and research facilities across the country.  One hundred percent of the net proceeds from this event directly support the work of The V Foundation.

The 2019 event, raising over $7 million, was hosted by Mike Krzyzewski, Duke University men’s basketball head coach, and legendary chef, Emeril Lagasse. The gala dinner and live auction were held at Nickel & Nickel Winery.  The V Foundation for Cancer Research was founded in 1993 by ESPN and the late Jimmy Valvano, legendary North Carolina State basketball coach and ESPN commentator. The 2019 Vintner Grant Honorees who have supported the V Wine Celebration since its beginning, Joe and Pat Harbison, will have a grant in their name for esophageal cancer research.

The V Foundation is partnering with leading veterinary schools and cancer centers for the Comparative Oncology Research Consortium as canine tumors can share multiple characteristics with human cancer, including responses to specific therapies.  The foundation is funding research to explore similarities and differences between human and canine cancers and is leading the way as a premier grant-maker in this field.

For information about the 22nd Annual V Wine Celebration August 6-9, 2020, call 707-963-0611 or visit www.winecelebration.org.

The 32nd Annual Auction of Washington Wines Took Place August 15-17, 2019 in Woodinville, Washington,
Raising $4.5 Million For Children And Viticulture And Enology Programs

During the action-packed weekend of August 15-17, 2019, in Woodinville, the 32nd Annual Auction of Washington Wines raised a record-breaking $4.5 million.  Created in 1988 by Allen Shoup, a former CEO of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, the auction benefits the Seattle Children’s Hospital and the Viticulture and Enology program at Washington State University.  The event has raised over $50 million since its inception.

A private barrel auction held at Novelty Hill-Januik kicked things off, raising $300,000.  The annual Winemaker Picnic brought over 1,400 attendees to Chateau Ste. Michelle. Winemaker dinners took place at private estates around Puget Sound.  The Winemaker Gala Auction event, hosting 700 guests, was held Saturday night at Chateau Ste. Michelle.  The highest selling lot, which was the highest ever at this event, was a 1928 Ford Roadster Hot Rod selling for $425,000. In November, the event launched an online wine auction.

For information about the 33rd  Annual Auction of Washington Wines, scheduled for August 13-15, 2020, telephone 206-326-5770 or visit the website:  www.washingtonwine.org.

The 12th Annual Napa Valley Harvest Stomp Wine Auction Held August 24, 2019 At Pine Ridge Vineyard Raised $2.3 Million

Harvest season kicked off with a bang in Napa Valley as the 2019 Harvest Stomp Wine Auction raised $2.3 Million for the Napa Valley Grapegrowers to preserve and promote the Valley’s vineyards and for the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation to provide education and professional development to farmworkers and their families.  The event at Pine Ridge Vineyard drew 600 guests dressed in festive ranch attire to celebrate the upcoming harvest.  In 2018 the Stomp introduced a grape auction component giving guests the opportunity to purchase one ton of coveted Napa Valley fruit.  Winning bidders are responsible for vinificaton of the lot which will produce about 60 cases of wine.  The biggest auction item sold, monetarily and physically, was a 2019 Kubota tractor that went for $83,000.

For information about the 13th Annual Napa Valley Harvest Stomp Wine Auction scheduled for August 22, 2020, telephone 707-944-8311, email info@napagrowers.org or visit the website www.napagrowers.org.

The 27th Annual Sonoma County Wine Auction Took Place September 19-21, 2019 In Windsor Raising A Record-Breaking $6.1 Million

The Sonoma County Wine Auction (formerly Sonoma Wine Country Weekend and Sonoma Harvest Wine Auction), sponsored by Sonoma County Vintners and Sonoma Valley Vintners and Growers took place September 21  at La Crema Estate at Saralee’s Vineyard, in Windsor, raising $6.1 million.  The Sonoma County  Wine Auction festivities began with a party Thursday night at Jacuzzi Family Vineyards, followed by vintner hosted dinners on Friday. On Saturday 400 wine enthusiasts gathered at La Crema Estate to bid on 40 lots. Gina Gallo of E & J Gallo and Christopher Jackson of Jackson Family Wines were co-chairs of the auction.  One of the biggest wine lots of the year was a 378-bottle collection of Sonoma Cabernets and Bordeaux blends selling for $510,000. Nearly $40 million has been raised to date for over 70 local charities supporting education, literacy, health and environmental services and the arts.

 

For information on the 28th Annual Sonoma County Wine Auction in 2020, telephone 855-939-7666 or  visit: www.sonomacountywineauction.com.

 

Vintage Affaire’s Prelude To An Affaire Took Place September 14, 2019 In Woodside, California

Vintage Affaire, one of the premier wine auctions in California, a sophisticated and lavish party with fine wines, gourmet cuisine, live music and one-of-a-kind auction items took place on September 14. 2019 at a private estate in Woodside.  This was an exclusive, smaller event designed to be a special thank you to all past Vintage Affaire attendees and donors for their support as Vista Center prepares for their 75th anniversary in 2020.  Prelude to an Affaire was an intimate and elegant, 2-hour, poolside cocktail party in a beautiful Woodside setting.  Renowned auctioneer and vintner, Fritz Hatton, Arietta Wine, was the auctioneer.

Over the past 36 years, Vintage Affaire, has raised nearly $9 million for Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Palo Alto.  These funds enable Vista Center clients to achieve their highest potential through programs that promote independence and improve the quality of life, including the low vision clinic and rehabilitation services such as counseling, orientation and mobility training, living skills instruction and more.   Vista Center, thanks to the efforts of Vintage Affaire, has benefited  9,000 local blind and visually impaired individuals.  The event is organized by the nonprofit Vista Center Foundation Board of Directors and is staffed entirely by community volunteers.  Karae Lisle is the new Executive Director of Vista Center.

For information and registration for the 37th Annual Vintage Affaire in September, 2020, please contact Vista Center at 650-858-0202 or visit the website, www.vintageaffaire.org.

The 38th Annual Detroit International Wine Auction Took Place Saturday, October 19, 2019 In Detroit, Michigan, Raising $1.5 Million

The 38th Annual Detroit International Wine Auction took place at The Fillmore Detroit, affording over 400 attendees an opportunity to experience the beautiful historic venue located  in the heart of Detroit’s entertainment district. Originally opening in 1925 as a movie house, the elegant venue has been renovated to offer guests a unique experience. Auction Co-chairs were Karen and Matthew Cullen of Bedrock Detroit, Don Manvel of AVL, Peggy and Dave Meador of  DTE Energy, Mary Beth and James M. Nicholson of PVS Chemicals Inc., and Vivian R. Pickard of The Pickard Group. .  Featured vintner was Gerard Bertrand.  The black-tie gala, a luxurious evening of world-class wines, gourmet cuisine, fashion and art included a vintner’s private reception, silent auction, seated dinner, an over-the-top-live auction and an after-party.

“The Art of Wine” was a smashing success, raising $1.5 million. The Wine Auction funds student scholarships at CCS and provides free art classes for Detroit’s at-risk youth.  To date, the auction has raised over $35 million for CCS.  CCS provides free art programs to more than 4,000 children in Detroit each year, and supports talented but financially needy undergraduate students, many of whom are the first in their families to attend college. These students will go on to be the design leaders and inspired artists of tomorrow, and strengthen Detroit as a center for creativity and innovation.

The Detroit International Wine Auction has grown to be the largest wine auction in the region, and one of the biggest auctions in the country since its beginning in 1982.  Featured vintner for 2019 was Gerard Bertrand.  The Featured Vintner’s Grand Lot included  a South of France wine experience for four guests for five days and four nights at Chateau l’Hospitalet, Narbonne, France.

Renowned vintner and auctioneer Fritz Hatton,  for the 19th time,  again led the bidding for the live auction.  Hatton, Proprietor of Arietta Wine, designed a special package of Arietta Wines for the auction, a complete set of Arietta magnums from  the great 2012 vintage.

Please contact the College for Creative Studies for further information and registration for the 39th Annual Detroit International Wine Auction, Saturday October 17, 2020; email: diwa@collegeforcreativestudies.edu; Telephone: 313-664-7464; CCS website:  www.collegeforcreativestudies.edu/news-and-events/diwa.

The 29th Annual Chesapeake Bay Wine Classic Occurred November 8-11, 2019, In Virginia Beach, Virginia

The Chesapeake Bay Wine Classic Foundation presented its 29th annual schedule of events to raise money to help people in Hampton Roads.  The main fundraising event was their annual Grand Auction, the largest, most successful wine auction in Virginia, attracting hundreds of wine lovers from Hampton Roads and all over the East Coast.  The Wine Classic focuses primarily on helping to educate youth and to fund breast cancer research.  Born in 1991 by Bob and Eleanor Stanton, the event raised over $1 Million this year to benefit the Access College Foundation, and since its inception has distributed over $10 million for charity. The 29th Annual Grand Auction, attended by over 700 took place at Southside Marina at Rudee Inlet in Virginia Beach, hosted by the Chesapeake Bay Wine Classic Foundation.

Events connected with the auction include Magnums and Mulligans Golf Tournament in June, the Wine Jam in the Fall and the 17th Annual Wine, Women and Fishing tournament.  This colorful event, taking place in August, has raised over $750,000 for breast cancer research at East Virginia Medical School.

For information about the 2020 events including the 30th Annual Chesapeake Bay Wine Classic November 5-7, telephone Jennie Capps at 757-200-9463, email wineclassic@cox.net or visit the web site:  www.cbwc.org.

Emeril Lagasse’s 14th Annual Carnivale du Vin Held November 9, 2019, In New Orleans Raised $3.6 Million For Children’s Charities

Emeril Lagasse Foundation’s 14th Annual Carnivale du Vin delivered New Orleans flavor with live entertainment and cirque-style performers, raising $3.6 million on Saturday, November 9 at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.  The philanthropic event, with 600 guests, focused on children’s charities and Emeril’s Culinary Garden and Teaching Kitchen.  Since its inception in 2002, the foundation has donated more than $12 Million to charity, aiming to celebrate its vision which is to educate children through the power of food.

For information about Emeril Lagasse’s 15th Annual Carnivale du Vin scheduled for November 7, 2020 visit www.emeril.org and www.carnivalduvin.com.