3/27/2008 - Napa Valley, CA - Napa Valley Vintners (NVV), the non-profit, professional trade organization representing more than 300 Napa Valley wineries and responsible for the promotion and protection of the Napa Valley Appellation, announces that tickets for Auction Napa Valley 2008, to be held June 5-8, will go on sale Monday, March 31. Interested parties can log on to the website to purchase "Classic" full auction packages, the "All American Day Package" or Friday-only tickets. Quantities are limited, available on a first-come, first-served basis, and early registration is encouraged.
At the forefront and the granddaddy of American charity wine auctions—having given nearly $78 million since its inception for healthcare, youth services and affordable housing non-profits—this year's Auction Napa Valley promises to continue the legacy of incredible wine and outstanding hospitality with intimate vintner-hosted parties along with signature grand tasting events held throughout the legendary Napa Valley.
2008 Highlights
"Auction Napa Valley-The American Wine Classic," chaired by the Heitz Wine Cellars Family, is a thirty-mile-long celebration, from Carneros to Calistoga, and is the must-attend event of the year for wine lovers. For 2008, the vintners are toasting the 40th anniversary of the Napa Valley Agricultural Preserve. The Ag Preserve when founded in 1968, was the first time land anywhere in the U.S. had been set aside specifically for agriculture. Today there are more than 38,000 acres in the Preserve.
Thursday, June 5
Auction Eve
In Napa Valley, vintners begin the weekend early and kick off the festivities with twenty pre-Auction parties and Open Houses, known as "Auction Eve." Bidders will have their pick of vintner invitations from which to chose. Seasoned attendees plan their strategy, then hire a limo to party-hop from one winery to the next, up and down the Valley.
Friday, June 7
Taste Napa Valley at Auction Napa Valley
This consummate Napa Valley food and wine grand tasting features 120 plus wineries pouring wines alongside 80 signature local restaurants and artisan food producers, set al fresco, at the Trinchero Family Estates Main Street winery in St Helena.
The Perennial Favorite... Barrel Auction
A tasting unlike any other, with samples “thieved” right from the barrel by the winemaker, this annual robust, crowd-pleasing barrel tasting and futures auction will offer case lots from 123 Napa Valley wineries in the cool of the Trincheros' cellar at the Friday event.
The E-Auction Continues...
Launching around the world on May 23 and closing at the Friday event is the on-line member of the Auction trilogy, the E-Auction—virtual Napa Valley from the comfort of your home or office. Here, bidders around the globe duel in real-time with bidders on-site at the Friday event. This is the perfect way to be a part of the event even if schedules don't allow you to attend Auction Napa Valley. With 80 incredible lots of luxury items, rare wines, travel and vintner-hosted events being offered, the E-Auction brings Auction Napa Valley to the world.
Friday Night Dinner Parties
A bidder favorite and a long-standing tradition of Auction Napa Valley, "Classic" full package holders will experience pull-out-the stops, fabulous, intimate fêtes with winemakers in their homes and wineries, many featuring star chefs from around the country.
Saturday, June 7
Saturday Daytime Private Parties
A quintessential Napa Valley experience, the Saturday daytime, more casual private parties allow "Classic" full package and "All-American Day Package" holders to choose from intimate garden parties or a cooking class with a winery chef, each held at a vintner’s winery or home.
The Centerpiece of Auction Napa Valley... the Live Auction
This year, bidders will vie for 44 rare and one-of-a-kind lots at the event's centerpiece Live Auction on Saturday evening at the elegant Meadowood Napa Valley. The evening starts with a sunset reception, followed by dinner crafted in collaboration by chefs from across the country and headline entertainment by the Tonight Show’s Jay Leno.
Sunday, June 8
The Farewell Fête
Here Napa’s “Next Generation” vintners will tie the weekend up with a bow at a late-morning food, music and wine fest at Trinchero Family Estates to bid farewell to Auction guests.
Ticket Packages
The Classic Package - $2,500 per person
-- Invitations to Thursday Evening Auction Eve Kick Off Parties
-- Friday Taste Napa Valley, Barrel and E-Auctions
-- Friday Evening Private Party
-- Saturday Daytime Private Party
-- Saturday Evening Reception, Dinner and Live Auction and After Party
-- Sunday Farewell Reception
-- One bidding paddle
-- One Auction catalog
The All-American Day Package - $1,000 per person
-- Invitations to Thursday Evening Auction Kick Off Parties
--Friday Taste Napa Valley, Barrel and E-Auction
--Saturday Daytime Private Party
--Sunday Farewell Fête
--One bidding number for Barrel and E-Auction
A very limited number of single tickets to the Friday Taste Napa Valley event can be purchased for $250 per person, and all ticket holders are eligible to bid on either the Barrel or E-Auctions.
About Napa Valley Vintners
Now in our seventh decade, the Napa Valley Vintners (NVV) non-profit trade association is the sole organization responsible for promoting and protecting the Napa Valley Appellation as a winegrowing region second to none in the world. Respect for our history reinforces our commitment to the preservation and enhancement of the Valley's land, wine, and community for future generations. We address the shared interests of our more than 300 member wineries and aspire to be the essential organization for all Napa Valley vintners.
NVV's Community Promise
Auction Napa Valley, an annual fundraiser of the NVV, has given nearly $78 million since 1981 for a host of non-profits in Napa County. In 2007, the NVV made a $25 million promise to the community, ensuring that the Auction will distribute a minimum of $5 million to its beneficiaries each year over the next five years. Any funds raised in excess will also be distributed to beneficiaries each year.
Auction Napa Valley experienced a fantastic windfall in 2007 and was able to give an unprecedented $8.9 million including a nearly $2.5 million one-time grant to fund a major project. This large gift will be announced at the launch of Auction Week in June.
Contact
Terry Hall
Communications Director
707-968-4217
thall@napavintners.com
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Contact: Terry Hall, Communications Director 707-968-4217 thall@napavintners.com
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