Photo Credit: Alexander Rubin for Napa Valley Vintners
This weekend wine aficionados from all over the world are descending on St. Helena for the Napa Valley Vintners’ 39th annual Auction Napa Valley. It’s the Napa Valley Vintners’ 75th anniversary, and the team is pulling out all the stops to make it the most memorable auction ever. Katy Perry will perform, and Ayesha Curry is cooking. If you won’t be able to make it to wine country for Saturday’s main event, there is still one way to experience all of the fun: by bidding in the online auction.
During Saturday’s event, there will be only 30 live lots. However, the e-bidder experience, which opened today at noon, features 160 sensational lots. From extravagant trips to sporting events, there is something for everyone. The proceeds from Auction Napa Valley, including those generated in the online auction, are used to support local nonprofits that fund healthcare and children’s education.
Photo Credit: Alexander Rubin for Napa Valley Vintners
“Wherever in the world you are, you can be part of doing so much good while bringing a bit of Napa Valley’s wines, people and magnificent sense of place into your home,” John Skupny, the owner and winemaker of Lang & Reed Wine Company and chair of this year’s e-auction committee said in a statement.
Digital bidders are also invited to participate in Friday’s barrel auction where 115 wineries will be pouring tastes of future wines. The top ten bidders for each barrel will receive a case of wine when it’s released. Bidding for the barrel auction takes place from 11 a.m. Thursday, May 30 to 3 p.m. on Friday, May 31. Bidding for the e-auction is going on now through Monday, June 3 at noon PDT.
Photo Credit: Italics Winegrowers
Wondering what to bid on? Here are a few of my favorite items from the e-auction.
Italics Winegrowers is auctioning (lot 458) 18 bottles of their superb wine plus a VIP tour and tasting at their beautiful Coombsville property. The lot includes a rare double vertical: 12 bottles of Appellations red blend from the 2002 to 2013 vintages and six bottles of estate Cabernet Sauvignon from the 2012 to 2017 vintages.
Photo Credit: Pine Ridge Vineyards
Pine Ridge Vineyards (lot 489) is inviting eight people to join winemaker Michael Beaulac at a four-course dinner at the location of the highest bidder’s choice. Beaulac is one of the most fun winemakers I’ve ever met, so you won’t be disappointed. The lot also includes 12 bottles of Pine Ridge wine.
Stewart Cellars’ lot (519) features six bottles of wine and a private tasting for four in their beautiful Nomad Heritage Library. If you only have a short amount of time to spend in the valley, this is an ideal experience. Stewart Cellars is located in downtown Yountville, and afterward, you can grab a bite to eat at one of Thomas Keller’s famous establishments.
Photo Credit: Jason Tinacci
Cliff Lede Vineyards is auctioning three bottles of wine and a two-night stay at the Poetry Inn, their gorgeous bed and breakfast that’s high on a hill in Stags Leap. The lot (434) also includes a 90-minute couple’s massage and an estate tour and barrel tasting with winemaker Christopher Tynan.
Trinchero’s lot (533) features 12 bottles of wine and a bocce pizza party for eight at their lovely property. The highest bidder will also get a complete bocce set so they can recreate the experience in the comforts of their own home.
