2/2/2012 - St Helena, CA--Auction Napa Valley, the annual community fundraiser hosted by the Napa Valley Vintners (NVV), taking place this year from May 31-June 3--announces that Four-Day Passport and Three-Day Package tickets will go on sale February 15, at 8:00 am Pacific Time at www.AuctionNapaValley.org. Tickets regularly sell out early, so hopeful Auction-goers are encouraged to log on in advance of the February 15 on-sale date to create an account, if they do not already have one, to facilitate fast ticket-buying.
Auction Napa Valley 2012's honorary chair is the Chappellet Family of Chappellet Vineyard and Winery.
"Auction Napa Valley is the 'must-attend' charity wine and food event in the country, and we are thrilled to be part of the amazing team that will make this year's the best yet," said Molly Chappellet. "The Auction weekend involves hundreds of dedicated local volunteers, generous bidders from around the world, and enthusiastic vintners from up and down the valley. There's great wine and food, and a spectacular setting--but most important, Auction is an innovative way for our legendary wine region to support this community."
Highlights from this year's May 31-June 3 Auction weekend include:
Friday Barrel Tasting and Case Auction (June 1): drawing nearly 2000 attendees including bidders, chefs, vintners and media from across the US, as well as Japan, China, Hong Kong, Canada and the UK, this walk-around tasting features hundreds of yet-to-be-released Napa Valley wines and dozens of dishes from local chefs. This year's Barrel Tasting and Case Auction will be held for the first time at Jarvis Winery, located in the town of Napa.
Saturday Live Auction at Meadowood Napa Valley (June 2): the centerpiece of the weekend, with 800 guests including bidders, vintners, and media--it's one of the most exciting parties in the wine world with 40 over-the-top offerings of wine, cellar collections, and wine experiences with member vintners.
Culinary Superstars: the June 2 festivities at Meadowood will showcase two of America's most renowned chefs--Thomas Keller's crew from Ad Hoc will prepare lunch on the lawn before the bidding begins, while first-time Auction chef Emeril Lagasse will bring his signature American flavors and energetic personality to the celebratory dinner that follows the Live Auction.
Vintner-Hosted Parties: a perennial favorite of the Auction weekend is the selection of Thursday (May 31) and Friday (June 1) private dinners hosted by the vintners at their homes or wineries from Carneros to Calistoga. Available only to Four-Day Passport and Three-Day Package ticket holders, these festive, intimate gatherings offer an incredibly opportunity to enjoy great food, library-selection wines, and a memorable evening with a Napa Valley vintner.
E-Auction: for those who cannot make it to Napa Valley for the Auction, and even those who do, the online E-Auction provides a chance to bid on more than 150 lots of rare wines and unique Napa Valley experiences--all from any computer, anywhere in the world.
2012 Ticket Packages:
Four-Day Passport tickets are $2,500 per person, and give attendees access to the entire weekend's activities
Three-Day Package tickets, which are $1,000 per person, provide a Thursday private vintner-hosted party, entrance to the Friday Barrel Tasting and Case Auction and Marketplace, and Sunday farewell.
Details:
Auction Napa Valley 2012: May 31-June 3, 2012
Tickets on-sale starting February 15 at 8:00 am Pacific Time. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit www.AuctionNapaValley.org
About Auction Napa Valley
Auction Napa Valley, the Napa Valley Vintners' annual community fundraiser is the most celebrated charity wine auction in the world, having given more than $100 million to health, youth and affordable housing non-profit programs. Founded in 1981, under the vision of Robert and Margrit Mondavi this quintessential showcase of Napa Valley’s best wine, food and outstanding hospitality has grown to be a four-day gathering held each year the first weekend in June. Learn more at www.AuctionNapaValley.org
About the Napa Valley Vintners
The Napa Valley Vintners (NVV) 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 more than 430 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.
Contact:
Michael Gitter
First Press Public Relations
michael@firstpresspr.com
212.867.5581
Terry Hall
Napa Valley Vintners
thall@napavintners.com
707.968.4217
# # #
Click to view the ANV 2012 video
Click to view the beneficary video
Contact: Terry Hall, Communications Director 707-968-4217 thall@napavintners.com
Receive updates about Napa Valley wine and events.
