2/1/2022 - NEW YORK & NAPA VALLEY – Sotheby’s inaugural auction with Napa Valley Vintners, Napa Valley Library Wine Auction | Direct from the Cellar, comprises a remarkable collection of more than 50 lots of rare Napa Valley library offerings. The sale is a testament to Napa Valley’s excellence in winemaking, with vintages spanning six decades from 1978 to 2021.
The Napa Valley Vintners has assembled a stunning range of wines for the annual auction. Nearly 150 wineries joined forces on putting together the lots, many of which feature bottles from multiple wineries, in the spirit of collaboration that Napa is so well known for. Bidding is now open and will culminate via a live auction on Saturday, February 5, at 4 p.m. EST at Sotheby’s in New York.
Offerings across the collection include a four-bottle vertical of Harlan Estate magnums from the 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 vintages; a 10-bottle vertical set from the Kenzo Estate; large-format bottles that have been stored in the vaults of Robert Mondavi Winery, spanning five decades; and a one-of-a-kind magnum lot from Screaming Eagle's cellar comprising one magnum each of the only three wines produced at the estate: Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon, Screaming Eagle The Flight and Screaming Eagle Sauvignon Blanc. Since neither The Flight nor the Sauvignon Blanc are ever sold in large format, this is one of the rarest offerings ever assembled from the estate.
Further highlights encompass an extremely rare 3-liter vertical of Mayacamas Cabernet Sauvignon from the 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 vintages; a truly rare collection of six vintages of Spottswoode Estate Cabernet Sauvignon in two formats; a hand-selected, six-vintage vertical set of Cardinale library magnums; a rare vertical of Hillside Select from Shafer Vineyards; an unprecedented 19-bottle lot from winemaker Christopher Carpenter; four coveted magnums of the Chappellet family’s famed Signature Cabernet Sauvignon; and an exclusive six-vintage, large-format double-magnum vertical of Cabernet Sauvignon, sourced from Mount Veeder.
Proceeds from the Napa Valley Library Wine Auction benefit programs to promote, protect and enhance Napa Valley.
Jamie Ritchie, Worldwide Head of Sotheby’s Wine, said: “The Napa Valley produces some of the finest wines in the world and our first ever auction together will focus only on wines that come direct from the winery’s library cellars. The sale presents an enticing array of bottles and experiences, representing the full range of wines and wineries from the Napa Valley, which will appeal to both established and novice collectors all around the world.”
Linda Reiff, CEO and President of Napa Valley Vintners, said “This stunning collection showcases the depth of remarkable wines that the Napa Valley wine region and its winemakers are capable of. We’re excited to work with Sotheby’s to bring Napa’s rich history of winemaking to the auction world. The Napa Valley promise stands for wines of the highest quality, made with excellence and we’re excited for the global world of collectors to explore more of what we have to offer.”
While bidding is open, enthusiasts are invited to join Jamie Ritchie to discuss the evolution of Napa Valley wines on the secondary market over the past 20 years. The lively discussion – which takes place on Thursday, February 3, at 1 p.m. PST – will feature well-known winemakers from esteemed wineries who have led the way in creating the quality wines that have become so coveted (more details here).
Looking ahead to the next joint endeavor to be conducted by Sotheby’s and the Napa Valley Vintners, the Premiere Napa Valley auction will welcome once again to Napa – as per tradition – licensed members of the wine trade only, where they can bid on one-of-a-kind, limited-edition bottles, specially created and curated for the annual auction. The winning bidders in turn will have the opportunity to make these unique bottles available to their customers and collectors around the world. Bidding opens on Wednesday, February 23 to both in-person and virtual attendees, and will close with a live-streaming auction on Saturday, February 26, at 1 p.m. PST in Napa.
Complementing the sale is the launch of the first edition of Vintage Perspective Napa Valley | Late Release from the Winery Cellars – an auction that offers a new opportunity for licensed members of the wine trade to acquire library wines direct from the wineries’ cellars, with cases from the 2001 to 2010 vintages. Bidding will open on February 23, and close online on February 26 at 4pm PST, after the conclusion of Premiere Napa Valley. More information on both sales will be available in due course.
CONTACTS:
Napa Valley Vintners
California | +1 707 968 4210 | Teresa Wall | Senior Director of Communications | twall@napavintners.com
Sotheby’s Press Office
London | +44 (0)20 7293 6000 | Matthew Floris | Matthew.Floris@Sothebys.com
New York | +1 212 606 7176 | Derek Parsons | Derek.Parsons@Sothebys.com
Hong Kong | +852 2822 8140 | Nancy Wong | Nancy.Wong@Sothebys.com
About the Napa Valley Vintners
The Napa Valley Vintners nonprofit trade association has been cultivating excellence since 1944 by inspiring its nearly 550 members to consistently produce wines of the highest quality, provide environmental leadership and care for the extraordinary place they call home. Since 1981, the NVV has invested more than $200 million in its community to provide equitable access to healthcare and opportunity for advancement in children’s education. NVV is dedicated to improving diversity and championing inclusivity in its community and in the wine industry. Learn more at napavintners.com.
About Sotheby’s Wine
Established in 1744, Sotheby’s is the world’s premier destination for art and luxury. Sotheby’s promotes access, connoisseurship and preservation of fine art and rare objects through auctions and buy-now channels including private sales, e-commerce and retail. Our trusted global marketplace is supported by an industry-leading technology platform and a network of specialists spanning 40 countries and 50 categories, which include Contemporary Art, Modern and Impressionist Art, Old Masters, Chinese Works of Art, Jewelry, Watches, Wine and Spirits, and Interiors, among many others.
Sotheby’s Wine’s annual worldwide auction sales of wine and spirits hit a record $132 million in 2021, a 44% increase on 2020. Sotheby’s Wine currently holds the world records for any whisky collection ever sold at auction, any private wine collection ever sold at auction, the most valuable bottle of wine ever sold at auction and the most valuable bottle of spirits ever sold at auction.
In addition to auction, Sotheby’s Wine launched a retail business in 2010. With a retail store located in Sotheby’s New York headquarters and e-commerce at www.sothebyswine.com, Sotheby’s Wine offers a carefully curated selection of wines from the world’s most prestigious producers and important regions. Expertly assembled by our experienced specialists, the selection is built upon lasting relationships with winemakers from across the globe, with bottles that are ready for immediate consumption, in addition to investment-worthy wines from highly sought-after vintages. A second retail location opened in Sotheby’s Hong Kong galleries in 2014.
Contact: Teresa Wall, Senior Director of Communications - 707-968-4210, twall@napavintners.com
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