Photo by Alexander Rubin for Napa Valley Vintners
6/3/2019 - The Napa Valley community knows how to come together to create something truly special, and this year the immense generosity and spirited celebration were set to a soundtrack provided by Katy Perry. The singer shared not only her music, but her love of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon with the crowd as she raised a glass to toast the 39th annual Auction Napa Valley.
In honor of the 75th anniversary year of the Napa Valley Vintners (NVV), the celebrated charity wine event was hosted by 28 former NVV board chairs including current chairman of the board David Pearson to host a weekend of spectacular events that raised nearly $12 million to support children’s health and education in Napa County. The close collaboration of this year’s co-chairs directly reflects the spirit of Auction Napa Valley and the key to its success according to Pearson. “At Auction Napa Valley, through the support of our vintners, bidders, corporate partners and volunteers we create so much more than a world-class wine experience, we create a cycle of giving that has a lasting impact on the health of our community.”
Sunny skies welcomed 900 guests onto the lawn of Meadowood Napa Valley as they enjoyed a bounteous selection of Napa Valley wines and previewed displays promoting the 30 live auction lots. Meanwhile the chefs from International Smoke and the Michael Mina family of restaurants were busy preparing a “Barbeque Battle Royale” themed post Auction dinner featuring decadent dishes including a smoked Wagyu steak medallion and for dessert, black truffle ice cream sandwiches.
After the reception, the enthusiastic crowd eagerly filled their seats under the auction tent to enjoy Katy Perry’s live performance which included hits Last Friday Night, Firework and Roar. With energy high, bidding started at fast pace with Lot #1 from Continuum claiming over a half million dollars right out of the gate. Later in the auction numbers climbed even higher with intense competition for the “Ducks and Dolphins” trip from the wilds of Canada to the soft sands of Hawaii offered by Labry Estate, Sandi and John Thompson and Staglin Family Vineyard.
For Lot 15 the Auction’s 28 co-chairs took the stage inviting the crowd to an exclusive party in honor of the NVV’s 75th anniversary, not wanting to miss this celebration paddles flew as 102 people secured their spot.
Live Auction bidding wrapped with the “Fund the Future” lot. During this moment of heartfelt generosity over a million dollars was pledged in direct donations ranging from $1,000 to $250,000 to support the NVV’s giving mission: Healthy Kids. Healthy Valley.
In addition to Saturday’s Live Auction, funds were also raised at Friday's Barrel Auction, held this year at the newly renovated Louis M. Martini Winery, where guests competed to take home a case of 114 barrel offerings. The location was particularly poignant, as Louis Martini was one of the founding members of the NVV in 1944. Also in the fundraising mix was the E-Auction, where 159 lots of coveted Napa Valley wines and unique hospitality experiences were featured.
2019 top results in each Auction category included:
Live Auction
Barrel Auction
E-Auction
Auction Napa Valley 2020 will be held June 4-7. A limited amount of presale tickets will be available tomorrow, Tuesday, June 4th at noon on auctionnapavalley.org.
View photos from the weekend
Watch the video
About Napa Valley Vintners and Auction Napa Valley
Since its founding in 1944 a core mission of the Napa Valley Vintners nonprofit trade association has been to protect this extraordinary place we call home. A key element to the health of our community is of course the wellbeing of local children and families. For our investments to have the greatest impact, we partner with nonprofits that are experts in their specialty and already providing excellent service in the fields of medical services, social services and education. The NVV currently works with 25 nonprofits in Napa County, mostly on a long-term basis with many of these relationships having existed for decades. It is through our close collaboration with these community partners and the contributions of our bidders, vintner members and community partners that we harness the power of the Napa Valley’s celebrated wines to support healthy kids and a healthy valley. Learn more at napavintners.com.
Contact: Korinne Munson, Director of Communications - 707.968.4207, kmunson@napavintners.com
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