The 38th Auction Napa Valley took place this weekend (May 30 – June 2), raising more than $13.6 million for charity. Here are some of the highlights and big ticket items that sold according to Napa Valley Vinters—who have hosted the event since 1981.
This year’s honorary chairs were the fourth-generation Mondavi sisters of the Peter Mondavi Sr. family, the Auction’s youngest leaders since inception in 1981. Angelina, Alycia, Riana and Giovanna Mondavi brought youthful energy to the wine-focused fete, including kicking off yesterday’s Live Auction Celebration in true Millennial fashion with a selfie shot from the main stage.
The main event, the Live Auction Celebration was held at the Five-Star world famous resort Meadowood Napa Valley, while the ever-popular Napa Valley Barrel Auction was held at the Mondavi family’s historic Charles Krug estate and featured an outdoor marketplace that replicated the villages and towns of Napa Valley and their iconic restaurants and wines. In between guests enjoyed customized food and wine events, including private dinners with some of Napa Valley’s most well-known vintners and rising star wineries.
Highlights of the weekend—marked by extreme generosity—included:
—A new fundraising record for the Napa Valley Barrel Auction, which had Auction attendees vying with online bidders from everywhere in the world for the 110 lots of Napa Valley wine futures up for sale
—Vintner Samantha Rudd of Rudd Oakville Estate and daughter of the late wine and food icon Leslie Rudd announcing a $1 million contribution from the Rudd Foundation after Lot Two at the Live Auction Celebration
—The impromptu doubling of Lot 11 featuring four six-liter Imperials of Opus One and a once-in-a-lifetime experience for two couples to attend the Masked Ball at Versailles, France in 2019 that sold to two successful bidders raising a total of $1.4 million
—A $1 million successful bid for Lot 20, donated by the Napa Valley Vintners and Lexus, featuring 18 bottles of Napa Valley wine and an experience at the 2019 U.S. Open Golf Tournament at Pebble Beach
—A surprise after-dinner performance on Saturday night by Bay Area-favorites Michael Franti & Spearhead that brought the Live Auction crowd to its feet, dancing and smiling for nearly two hours.
—Appearances by retired racecar driver turned vintner Danica Patrick, pro golfer Natalie Gulbis and the mother and sister of Golden State Warrior Steph Curry, all of whom had an interest in one of the 32 Live Auction lots sold yesterday
2018 Top Lots Sold
Live Auction:
—Napa Valley Vintners’ Fund-the-Future – $2,346,000
—Opus One – $1,400,000
—Napa Valley Vintners and Lexus – $1,000,000
—JCB and Raymond Vineyards (Buy A Spot) – $640,000
—Dalla Valle Vineyards – $480,000
—BOND – $380,000
—St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery – $350,000
—Alejandro Bulgheroni Estate – $300,000
—Amizetta Vineyards, Gamble Family Vineyards and Somnium Wine – $300,000
—Honig Vineyard & Winery – $280,000
Barrel Auction:
—VGS Chateau Potelle – $114,300
—Cardinale – $68,900
—Staglin Family Vineyard – $54,150
—The Mascot – $47,200
—Spottswoode Estate Vineyard & Winery – $45,450
—Joseph Phelps Vineyards – $43,450
—Continuum Estate – $42,350
—Shafer Vineyards – $40,800
—Chappellet Vineyard – $38,550
—Covert Estate – $34,000
Proceeds from Auction Napa Valley benefit community health and children’s education nonprofits serving more than 100,000 clients in Napa County.
More photos of the event:
