Vintners Raise $6.5 Million for Local Youth at the 45th Auction Napa Valley

From June 5 to 7, the Napa Valley wine community came together to celebrate the 45th Auction Napa Valley, an event marked by dinners with vintners, exclusive wine tastings, and bidding on luxurious items and experiences. This year, the auction raised an impressive $6.5 million, with proceeds benefiting the Napa Valley Vintners’ Youth Wellness Initiative, supporting after-school and summer programs for local youth.

Since its inception in 1981, Auction Napa Valley has generated over $230 million for children and community services. The 2025 event’s honorary chairs, Robin and Michelle Baggett of Alpha Omega Winery, expressed their delight at the auction’s success. “There was a lot of love for our Napa Valley youth, for our wines, and for the auction lot experiences,” said Robin.

Following a shift in strategy post-COVID-19 to spread out philanthropic efforts throughout the year, the NVV returned to the traditional auction weekend format in 2024, starting with a barrel auction on Friday. The barrel auction showcased wines from the anticipated 2023 and 2024 vintages, with nearly 2,000 attendees, including over 100 vintners and local chefs.

During the barrel auction, competition was fierce among online and in-person bidders for exclusive selections. The top lots were provided by renowned wineries such as Chappellet, Pulido~Walker, and Shafer Vineyards. Over 700 online participants vied for nearly 80 available selections. Each of the top ten bidders for every barrel lot won a case of wine, with the highest bidder receiving a signed barrel head.

Winemakers praised the quality of the 2023 vintage, particularly the Cabernet Sauvignon, noting its exceptional characteristics. Shafer winemaker Elias Fernandez hailed it as “one of the greatest vintages of Napa Valley,” due to the long growing season that resulted in robust wines.

The main event and live auction took place on June 7 at Domaine Chandon, featuring a gourmet dinner prepared by Chef Christopher Kostow. Bidders had the chance to bid on extravagant lots that included all-inclusive travel experiences and luxury items, alongside exclusive wines.

Once the auction concluded, local youth took the stage to share how the supported programs had positively impacted their lives, further motivating attendees to contribute generously through an open donation. Darioush Khaledi, owner of Darioush Winery, reflected on the event’s success, asserting it was one of the best auctions he had experienced in the last two decades. Plans are already underway for the 2026 auction, set to take place on June 5 and 6.

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!