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Wine World's Most Successful Charity Event Celebrates 25 Years; Auction Napa Valley, the Premier Philanthropic and Social Wine Event, Scheduled for June 2-5, 2005
2/1/2005 - St. Helena, Calif. - Napa Valley Vintners, a non-profit, trade organization representing 263 wineries, announces that Auction Napa Valley 25 will take place this year on June 2-5. Formerly identified as the Napa Valley Wine Auction, Auction Napa Valley is preparing to continue its reign as the longest running success story in U.S. wine auction history. Having raised more than $52 million in its 24 year history, the event is broadly recognized for having laid the groundwork for today's host of successful charity wine events.
Planning for Auction Napa Valley 25 has been underway for more than a year, and with a host of new event components organizers are sure that this landmark fundraiser will continue its reign as the longest running success story in U.S. wine auction history. Rather than adopting a fanciful theme, 2005 event chairs have incorporated an overarching message of collaboration into all elements, reinforcing a community-building ideal that has been at the core of the Auction's success since its inception in 1981. "Vintner ownership and camaraderie has provided the support necessary to successfully bring our event into a new era of philanthropy," says John Shafer, 1999 Auction event chair. "The world has changed a lot in the last twenty five years -- and we are very excited to be evolving with it -- ensuring that our event can be sustained for another 25 years."
"After all, who better to understand how to orchestrate 'improvement with age' than a group of vintners," adds co-chair Mike Martini, whose family has been involved in the auction since his father chaired the first event in 1981.
Twenty four vintners, including Shafer and Martini, are co-chairing the silver anniversary event, planning and executing all aspects of the three-day gala, and the roster reads like a who's who of the Napa Valley, including names such as Davies, Duckhorn, Mondavi, Pecota, and Trinchero. Changes include a shorter live auction, the addition of an E-auction, additional hospitality events, and the creation of an all-new, all-day food and wine showcase.
"We are particularly excited to be able to offer more people a chance to be a part of the festivities this year with the creation of our Friday Festival," says 2000 chair Nancy Andrus. Set to take place on Friday, June 3, the event is centered around the popular Barrel Tasting and Auction and also includes Pride of Napa Valley, featuring 140 wineries and more than 30 top Napa restaurants and specialty food purveyors; a new E-Auction; and live entertainment. One thousand single event tickets will be available to the general public for $150 per person, and all ticket holders will be able to register to bid in both the Barrel Auction and E-Auction.
Auction Napa Valley 25 will take place June 2-5, 2005. Complete Auction packages as well as individual tickets to the Friday Festival Barrel Tasting and Auction will go on sale at 12:01 a.m., March 15, 2005, at www.napavintners.com, where visitors can also find complete event details and a schedule of events.
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