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WORLD'S LARGEST CHARITY WINE EVENT SET FOR JUNE 7-10, 2001
21st Annual Napa Valley Wine Auction Comes of Age with "Ode to Napa Valley - A Celebration of Life" Robert and Margrit Biever Mondavi to Chair Annual Benefit
3/1/2001 - The Napa Valley Vintners announced today that the 21st Annual Napa Valley Wine Auction will be held at Meadowood Napa Valley June 7 - 10, 2001. Celebrating the genesis of the world's most successful wine charity event, 2001 Auction Chairs will be Robert and Margrit Biever Mondavi of the Robert Mondavi Family of Wines, founding members of the first Napa Valley Wine Auction. The Mondavi's have selected the "Ode to Napa Valley - A Celebration of Life" theme to honor the world-renowned Napa Valley experience.
The 21st Annual Napa Valley Wine Auction celebrates the distribution of approximately $30 million, with $8.8 million distributed last year alone to local non-profit health care, housing and youth development organizations in Napa County. The world's largest and most successful wine charity event, the Auction attracts nearly 1800 attendees from throughout the world and is annually supported by more than 1000 community volunteers.
Robert and Margrit Biever Mondavi are internationally celebrated as emissaries of American wine, food and the arts. Robert Mondavi is a pioneer in the California wine industry, leading the way for new and improved winemaking techniques and giving birth to the concept that California wines belong in the company of the great wines of the world. Mr. Mondavi continues to be a leader in the education of the American public on the joys and healthful benefits of drinking fine wine. Margrit Mondavi is a pioneer in her own right for her development of original cultural, fine arts and culinary arts programs that are now benchmarks within the wine world and beyond.
Opening day festivities, June 7, at Robert Mondavi Winery include a preview look at over 140 spectacular Live Auction Lots, the Private Donor Auction Lots, plus the traditional Barrel Tasting of some of Napa Valley's finest works in progress, and the beginning of one of the Auction's hottest events, the highly competitive Barrel Lot Auction - all accompanied by the Marketplace Tasting of Napa Valley wine country's bounty of epicurean delights.
Privately hosted winery events with star chefs, music and entertainment on Thursday night and during the day on Friday culminate with the Vintners' Gala Black-Tie Dinner on Friday night. Under the big tent, Auction Culinary Chair Holly Peterson Mondavi has announced that celebrated culinary superstar Wolfgang Puck will create an elegant feast that will bring to mind an "ode to gastronomic nirvana." After dinner, attendees will unwind on the dance floor to the varied styles of the All-Stars in the main tent and the Red Elvises in the barrel tent.
Auction Day, Saturday, June 9, will bring the Pride of Napa Valley Feast, showcasing the signature dishes of Napa Valley's top restaurants. At 12 noon, the final gavel comes down on the Barrel Auction and guests move to the big tent for the main show, the start of the Live Auction at half past noon. Auction organizers are delighted to announce a fantastic lineup of Auctioneers, including veteran Fritz Hatton, David Elswood, Humphrey Butler and the return of the grand master and sole auctioneer of the First Annual Napa Valley Wine Auction, the legendary Michael Broadbent. Over 140 unique wine lots - plus a limited number of special event lots offered by the Napa Valley Vintners - will re-create the fevered pitch of bidding that has become legendary at the Napa Valley Wine Auction.
Following the Auction, bidders and guests will proceed to a festive al fresco dinner created by Margrit Mondavi's daughter and Executive Chef at Robert Mondavi Winery, Annie Roberts. After dinner, the fun continues with dancing under the stars to Pamela Rose with Sidepocket.
A special feature of the "Ode to Napa Valley - A Celebration of Life" will be a series of Margrit Biever Mondavi's signature Bacchus-figure metal sculptures, painted by leading Napa Valley and Bay Area artists, each in his or her own style. These colorful and creative art pieces will grace the Auction grounds before being sold to the highest bidder at silent auction. Mrs. Mondavi's artistic talents will also grace many of the serving pieces for the Auction dinners as well as the official Auction poster, insuring its collectibility.
The Napa Valley Wine Auction is sponsored by the Napa Valley Vintners, a non-profit, professional trade organization representing 185 Napa Valley wineries. The complete Auction package is $2,500 per couple. A limited number of day passes are available for Thursday and Saturday events, as well as individual tickets for the Gala Dinner. For more information or to request an invitation package, visit the Auction section of the NVV website - www.napavintners.com.
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