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Napa Valley Wine Auction Generates Millions for
Local Charities in 2003
Top Lot Goes for $1 Million, Setting Record for World’s Largest
Charity Auction
Next year’s Auction will be held June 3-6, 2004.
The Napa Valley Wine Auction, celebrating its 23rd year in 2003,
amazed guests by raising an incredible $6.47 million - up more
than $350,000 from 2002 - to benefit local Napa County charities.
The Wine Auction is hosted annually by the Napa Valley Vintners
Association. Last year’s Auction was chaired by The Trinchero
Family–Bob, Roger, Vera and Evalyn–of Trinchero Family Estates,
one of the largest and most historic wineries in Napa Valley.
Building on the Auction theme–Copa de Napa–Last of the Red Hot
Nightclubs, the Trinchero’s energy made for an extremely colorful
and exciting four days.
The top bidders were John and Tamra Gorman of Austin, Texas who
bid $320,000 for the “Bidder’s Brand” lot. In a surprise
announcement just prior to the lot’s opening bid, the Trinchero
Family announced they would augment the winning bid up to $1
million–making the Bidder’s Brand lot the largest winning live
auction lot in the history of the Napa Valley Wine Auction.
The Bidder’s Brand lot turned the Gormans into instant vintners.
The lot includes all of the key requirements to create a fine Napa
Valley wine -- five tons of premium Napa Valley cabernet sauvignon
grapes; the expertise of renowned winemaker Philippe Melka; French
oak barrels; world-class label design; a sales and marketing plan;
wine bottles and packing materials; and, a one-year membership in
the Napa Valley Vintners Association. The result will be 300 cases
of vintage 2003 “Gorman” Napa Valley cabernet sauvignon.
The second-highest top bidder of the day was Dee Lincoln of Lone
Star Steakhouse & Saloon, Inc., which operates upscale steakhouses
throughout the country including Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steak
House in Las Vegas and New York City. “I just love what I do!”
enthused Lincoln. “Steak and wine - is there anything better?”
Lincoln asked after her successful bid on the Robert Mondavi lot.
The lot includes 90 special bottles representing Robert Mondavi’s
90th birthday and a complete vertical of cabernet sauvignon
reserve from 1966 to 2000, among numerous other historic wines.
“By any measure, the Auction was an outstanding success,” said
Clay Gregory, president of the Napa Valley Vintners Association.
“The tone of the weekend was set by the warmth and generosity of
the Trincheros who inspired all of the bidders to reach even
deeper into their pockets to help the many charities supported by
the Wine Auction. From bidders to beneficiaries, and from vintners
to volunteers, everyone is thrilled with the results,” Gregory
added.
The chairpersons for the 2004 Napa Valley Wine Auction were
announced at the conclusion of the festivities. The Davies Family
- Jamie, Bill and Hugh, of Schramsberg Vineyards in Calistoga. For
the past 35 years, Schramsberg has produced some of the world’s
finest sparkling wine. Next year’s Auction will be held June 3-6,
2004.
The Napa Valley Vintners Association is a professional nonprofit
trade organization assisting more than 220 member wineries with
marketing, promotion and industry issues throughout the United
States and abroad. For more information about the NVVA and the
Napa Valley, please visit www.napavintners.com.
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