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Napa Valley Wine Auction Raises Over $6 Million for Local Health, Youth and Housing Organizations
Women Capture Top Successful Bidder Positions
6/10/2002 - St. Helena, CA, -- The Napa Valley Wine Auction, celebrating its 22nd year, thrilled wine lovers by raising an incredible $6.12 million to benefit more than 25 local Napa County charities.
Held last week, June 6-9, the Wine Auction is hosted annually by the Napa Valley Vintners. This year's Auction was chaired by Robert Pecota and his daughters Kara and Andrea of the Robert Pecota Winery. Their energy and creativity provided a high level of fun and excitement, building on the Auction theme -Cirque du Vin - Revelry in the Vineyards.
The top bidder was Ona Roth, a long-time Auction guest who described herself to news media as a "Santa Barbara person who loves life." Roth spent a total of $491,700 on a combination of live and barrel auction lots, including the Diamond Creek Vineyards lot for $300,000. In her own words, the Diamond Creek Lake Cabernet Sauvignon is "one of the best wines made."
Interestingly, the second-highest successful bidder was Dee Lincoln of Plano, Texas. Another long-time Auction participant, Lincoln spent a total of $465,300 on live, barrel and art auction lots including $110,000 on the Dolce live lot - a ten vintage magnum vertical of 1989-1998 Late Harvest Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc.
Pecota and daughters were extremely pleased with the outcome. "Our guests seemed to thoroughly enjoy our vibrant theme and unique entertainment. In turn, we greatly appreciate their generosity in supporting the important community projects we help fund in Napa County," he said.
Last year, a full 95 percent of the total dollar amount raised at the Auction went directly to local Napa charitable organizations.
"Such a high percentage level is rarely seen in the world of charitable fundraising," said Dawnine Dyer, president of the Napa Valley Vintners. "Honestly, it wouldn't be possible without the extraordinary effort of our more than one thousand local volunteers and generous in-kind donors," she added.
The top bid for the barrel auction was $66,100 for Pillar Rock Vineyard, 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon, to be released in November 2002. The top private donor lot, a 17-bottle vertical of Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon, 1982-1998, was donated by Michael and Joan Zaccaro and sold for $8,500.
The chairpersons for the 2003 Napa Valley Wine Auction were announced at the conclusion of the festivities. The Trinchero Family - Bob, Evelyn, Roger and Vera, of Trinchero Family Estates. The company produces Sutter Home, Trinchero, Montevina, Trinity Oaks and the number one alcohol-free wine, Fre. Next year's Auction will be held June 5-8, 2003.
The Napa Valley Vintners is a professional nonprofit trade organization assisting its 209 member wineries with marketing, promotion and industry issues throughout the United States and abroad. For more information about the NVV and the Napa Valley, please visit www.napavintners.com.
Auction photos may be downloaded from the NVV Web site beginning Monday, June 10, at 9:00 am. B-roll will be available upon request.
2002 Napa Valley Wine Auction Top Overall Lots:
Oakville Winegrowers - $320,000
26 magnums, three dinners, eight brunches/lunches,
three nights accommodations, plane ride and numerous other
tours, tastings and blending sessions for up to four couples
Harlan Estate - $300,000
Nine magnum vertical, 1990-1998
Proprietary Cabernet Sauvignon Blend
Diamond Creek Vineyards - $300,000
Nine bottles (one 750ml, seven magnums and one 9L)
representing nine vintages of the Lake Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars - $130,000
Six bottles (five magnums and one 9L) Cask 23 Cabernet Sauvignon
Tasting, Dinner and Accommodations for Six
Colgin Cellars - $115,000
One bottle (3L) 1996 Herb Lamb Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
One decanter
Dolce - $110,000
Ten vintage magnum vertical of Late Harvest Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc
1989-1998
Bryant Family Vineyard - $110,000
One (3L) bottle 1994 Cabernet Sauvignon
Dalla Valle Vineyards - $110,000
Seven bottles (six 750ml and one 9L) 1999 Maya Red Table Wine
Lunch or dinner for six
Napa Valley Vintners - $100,000
More than 20 magnums, special Auction seating for eight
Airfare, accommodations and meals for two to attend
Auction volunteer appreciation party in Napa Valley
Heitz Wine Cellars - $100,000
Six bottles (1.5ml) of 1974, 1985 and 1997 Martha's Vineyard
Cabernet Sauvignon, dinner for six
CE2V - $100,000
Four bottles 2000 (one 750ml, one magnum, one 3L and one 6L)
Secret Clone Estate Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
Pillar Rock Vineyard - $100,000
Two bottles (3L) 1999 and 2000 Pillar Rock Vineyard
Cabernet Sauvignon, dinner for eight
2002 Top Barrel Lots: (each 10 one case lots)
Pillar Rock Vineyard - $66,100
Shafer Vineyards - $60,300
CE2V - $56,450
Rudd Winery - $40,000
D.R. Stephens Estate - $37,975
Gargiulo Vineyard - $35,600
Joseph Phelps Vineyards - $30,425
Duckhorn Vineyards - $29,550
Robert Mondavi Winery - $29,500
Gemstone - $28,600
Top Ten Bidders:
1. Ona Roth, Santa Barbara, CA
2. Dee Lincoln, Plano, TX
3. Anonymous (bidder requested name not be released)
4. Gary Rieschel, Mountain View, CA
5. Ronald Kuhn, Wheaton, IL
6. David Doyle, Newport Coast, CA
7. Chuck McMinn, Los Altos Hills, CA
8. Anonymous (bidder requested name not be released)
9. M.K. Koo, Hong Kong
10. John Quinn, Stockton, CA
Download 2002 Wine Auction Photos
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