Auction Napa Valley: Reviving Tradition with a Fresh Twist

The renowned wine region’s charity auction returned to its traditional style and successfully secured almost $5 million to benefit youth mental health.

The Napa Valley Vintners association conducted the most recent Collective Napa Valley Auction Weekend from May 31 to June 1. This sequence of celebratory events garnered $4.8 million, with a revitalized live auction contributing $2.4 million, with all proceeds dedicated to youth mental health initiatives in Napa County.

Transitioning from both the lavish pre-pandemic gatherings and the subdued fundraisers that followed, the latest auction reintroduced elements of luxury but with added exclusivity and emphasis, featuring a smaller crowd and fewer auction lots. “There was such great energy. People were excited to be back,” remarked Emma Swain, CEO of St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery.

“We are truly thankful for the generosity of our donors and bidders,” said Cyril Chappellet, chair of the Napa Valley Vintners and CEO and chairman of Chappellet Winery. “When those who care about Napa Valley come together, wonderful things happen.”

Auction Napa Valley, initially known as the Napa Remote Wine Auction, was established in 1981 by a coalition of local winemakers, prominent figures including Robert and Margrit Mondavi. This yearly celebration hosted an auction at Meadowood resort for nearly four decades, amassing over $200 million to support regional health and educational programs.

The auction was a landmark event for aficionados of wine; attendees bid on exceptional and high-value wines, dream vacations, private jet rides, luxury jewelry, and exclusive event tickets, like those for the Kentucky Derby and the Super Bowl. Auction lots often fetched sums ranging from tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars.

At the height of its popularity, the live auction attracted up to 1,000 participants, and the bidding could continue for hours with as many as 50 various lots on offer. The event not only showcased high stakes bidding but also featured celebrity guests such as Oprah Winfrey, John Legend, Jay Leno, and Katy Perry. In 2014, the auction set a new record by raising $18.7 million, surpassing the prior record of $16.9 million from the previous year.

The 2020 edition of the auction was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Meadowood suffered extensive damages from wildfires later that same year. Discussions about revitalizing its traditional format were already underway among vintners prior to these incidents. Meanwhile, similar events like the Naples Winter Wine Festival in Florida were beginning to draw more attention. By late 2020, the Napa Valley Vintners announced the end of this foremost charitable wine auction, shifting focus to Collective Napa Valley, a new initiative planning year-round fundraising activities in Napa and beyond.f:title>f:title>

The festivities kicked off this year by revisiting the traditional set-up for the Napa Valley Barrel Auction, hosted by Hall Wines on a Friday. An impressive turnout of over 1,600 guests enjoyed tastings from 80 encompassing wineries and local culinary delights. Enthusiasts had the chance to place bids on 10-case assortments of exceptional wines from the latest harvests, featuring distinguished winemakers such as Shafer, Cardinale, Alpha Omega, Robert Mondavi Winery, Chimney Rock, and Salvestrin.

The central spectacle, still known as Auction Napa Valley, unfolded the next day, Saturday, June 1, at Far Niente Winery. This exclusive gathering drew nearly 400 guests who indulged in a meticulously prepared dinner by chef Philip Tessier from Press, a recipient of the Wine Spectator Grand Award. Vintners mingled among the tables, personally serving wines to the attendees.

This year’s auction, while limited to only 14 lots compared to the usual 50, still managed to raise an impressive sum exceeding $2.4 million, embodying the opulence of previous years with its offerings of global travel, private chef dinners, and exclusive wine vintages. Jeff Smith and Carolyn Duryea of Hourglass winery acted as honorary chairs while Meaghan Steele and Vanessa Conlin from Sotheby’s spearheaded the vibrant auction proceedings.

A among the highlights, a remarkable winning bid of $180,000 secured three Chanel Coco Crush bracelets encrusted with gold and diamonds, along with 45 bottles of wine from St. Supéry—a subsidiary of Chanel. Chanel is the parent company of the winery. Hall Wines also offered a standout lot featuring 14 days at sea on a luxurious yacht coupled with a rare 6-liter bottle of wine, which fetched $230,000. Details of the full auction results were not disclosed by NVV.

Next year’s auction weekend is scheduled for June 6–7. Alpha Omega owners Michelle and Robin Baggett will serve as honorary chairs. The more focused approach appears to be the future of the auction. “Our desire is to keep the format intimate in size,” said Teresa Wall of NVV. “The energy and excitement is much the same, but the evening is more of a true Napa Valley experience—a blend of sophistication and laid-back elegance.” Charity events are still expected throughout the year locally and nationwide.

But, for now, there’s a sense that the auction is back. “It’s still the event to be at for great wine and a good time,” explains St. Supéry’s Swain.

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About the Author: Chris Lehoux

Meet Chris Lehoux, an experienced wine connoisseur and dedicated blogger with a deep passion for all things wine-related. With years of expertise in the industry, Chris shares insightful wine reviews, valuable wine tasting tips, expert pairing advice, and captivating tales of vineyard visits. Join Chris on a journey through the world of wine, where every sip is an adventure waiting to be savored!