5/12/2011 - St Helena, CA--The Napa Valley Vintners (NVV) is gearing up to host the 31st annual Auction Napa Valley, the world's most successful charity wine auction. But, the 400 winery-strong trade association relies on not only an army of more than 500 volunteers from throughout the county at the events, but the entire community to properly welcome the guests who come from across the country and around the world to the beautiful Napa Valley the first weekend in June--this year June 2-5.
"We are delighted to hear from our friends managing hotels valley-wide that they are sold out for Auction weekend and they are excited to host these generous visitors who not only support the funding of the non-profit programs provided for by the Auction, but support our local hospitality industry as well. It is a great symbiotic relationship that is good for the valley in the short and long term," said KR Rombauer of Rombauer Vineyards who along with his family is the honorary chair of this year's event. "Restaurants will be busy as well as caterers, florists, party rental companies and that economic impact extends to spas and retail shops as well."
"It truly takes a village--or in this case a valley. Banners over main streets and signs at wineries and in-town businesses will once again welcome our bidders. And we are all thankful for their time spent in the valley," said NVV Executive Director Linda Reiff.
Also this year, the Auction Committee led by Judd and Holly Finkelstein of Judd's Hill winery provided their film and comedic talents to create an online video that can be seen on You Tube that engages the community into the weekend's good work. Titled "Journey of the Weird Guy," where Judd finds himself in situations around town as he spreads the good word on Auction Napa Valley, and where he becomes known as the "weird guy" by residents around the valley. The video features a host of vintners, public officials and real-life law enforcement officials in guest appearances.
For the 2011 Auction, Napa Valley's renowned resident artist Ira Yeagar was commissioned to create a piece of art engaging his wit and whimsy onto canvas to celebrate the weekend. The original 66" x 66" painting will be offered as part of one of the Live Lots on Saturday, but a very limited number of signed posters will be available along with a selection of logo items in the Auction store at The CIA. Laura Rombauer, well regarded Napa Valley interior designer who oversees the "look and feel" this year as part of her family's Auction duties has commissioned a signature table cloth that maps all the member wineries of the Napa Valley. Art and style are truly in the production this year.
The Marketplace
At the Friday Barrel Auction and Marketplace being held at the venerable Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in St Helena will feature the best of Napa Valley's culinary community with restaurants like Morimoto, The CIA, Brix, Brannan's Grill, Farmstead, Angele, etoile at Domaine Chandon, Woodhouse Chocolates, and many more--all donating their time and product to properly entertain and welcome Auction visitors. Of course the forty food vendors will complement the wines of more than 100 Napa Valley wineries pouring alongside in the Marketplace on the Herb Terrace, and in the Restaurant and Terrace.
The Always-Popular Barrel Auction
Inside the historic cellar of Greystone will be 100 wine-futures to taste direct from the barrel and "thieved" by the winemakers and winery owners themselves for bidders to sample. Each barrel is divided into ten cases and bidders purchase by the case in this Dutch-style, rousing Auction. The Barrel Auction stand-alone tickets sold out in seven minutes on March 31, breaking last year's 30 minute record. Check out the online video that gives insight to bidders on how to approach the process of bidding on wine futures.
Online Auction Gets the World in on the Action
For bidders on site as well as from the local area, across the country and around the world there is the global E-Auction with more than 150 offerings from member wineries of wine collections and vintner-hosted activities partnered with top Napa Valley wine. Bidding opens for the E-Auction on Sunday, May 29 at 8am Pacific Time at www.NapaVintners.com.
About Auction Napa Valley
Auction Napa Valley is the most successful charity wine auction in the world and to date
has given nearly $100 million to scores of non-profit programs. The annual fundraiser is hosted by the Napa Valley Vintners. The auction was founded in 1981 under the vision of Robert and Margrit Mondavi and has grown to be a four-day celebration of wine, food and fundraising held the first weekend in June.
About the Napa Valley Vintners
The Napa Valley Vintners is the non-profit trade association responsible for promoting and protecting the Napa Valley appellation as the premier winegrowing region. From seven founding members in 1944, today the association represents 400 Napa Valley wineries and collectively is a leader in the world-wide wine industry. To learn more about our region and its legendary American wines, visit www.NapaVintners.com.
How to Bid in the Barrel Auction
Contact: Terry Hall, Communications Director 707-968-4217 thall@napavintners.com
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