home › trade & media › press releases
THE 21st ANNUAL NAPA VALLEY WINE AUCTION
"Ode to Napa Valley: A Celebration of Life"
1/20/2001 - Now in its 20th year, the Napa Valley Wine Auction is the world's largest wine charity event with $30 million raised for local nonprofit agencies since its inception in 1981. This year the auction will be held Thursday, June 7 through Sunday, June 10. Robert and Margrit Mondavi, founders of the first annual Napa Valley Wine Auction in 1981, are the chairs for this year's auction.
THEME: Ode to Napa Valley: A Celebration of Life -- was selected to celebrate the bounty of Napa County life - wine, food and the arts - as well as the lives of those touched by the Auction proceeds.
ART PROGRAM: 75 local artists will be given a plain, flat metal figure, measuring 3x4 feet. The figure, based on the shape of a Bacchus designed by Margrit Biever Mondavi, shall be transformed by each artist into an individual, unique Bacchus object d'art. Each of the 75 figures will be displayed throughout the Auction festivities and offered as Silent Auction items for presentation to high bidders on Saturday evening.
SPONSOR: The Napa Valley Vintners, a non-profit, professional trade organization representing 184 Napa Valley wineries.
BENEFICIARIES: Local Napa Valley health organizations and programs dedicated to providing affordable housing and youth development. The primary focus of the Auction donations is to help support agencies working collaboratively to assist the underserved in Napa County.
HISTORY: Since its inception in 1981, the Napa Valley Wine Auction has contributed nearly $30 million to local organizations. Now the world's largest and most successful wine charity event, the Auction attracts nearly 1800 attendees from throughout the world and is annually supported by more than 1,000 community volunteers.
Public Invitations: The Napa Valley Wine Auction is open to the general public. The complete Auction package is $2,500 per couple. A limited number of day passes are available for Thursday and Saturday events, as well as individual tickets for the Gala Dinner. For more information or to request an invitation package, visit the Auction section of the NVV Web site - www.napavintners.com.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Thursday: Festivities begin at Robert Mondavi Winery (11am to 3pm) with the Preview Auction Lot Display, Traditional Barrel Tasting and Auction, Private Donor Auction and marketplace tasting of Napa Valley food specialties.
Thursday Evening: Vintner dinners begin at 6pm and feature celebrity chefs, elaborate themes/decor, and special wines and music, hosted by individual wineries throughout the Valley.
Friday: Vintner hosted special events/luncheons take place from 11am to 3pm at numerous wineries throughout the Valley.
Friday Evening: Vintner's host the Vintners' Gala, a black-tie dinner at Meadowood Resort, St. Helena. Guest chef, Wolfgang Puck. Multi-course wine and food pairings. Barrel and Private Donor Auctions continue.
Saturday: Live Auction, Meadowood Resort. Begins with the Pride of Napa Valley Feast (a showcase feast of top Napa Valley restaurants' signature dishes). Barrel Auction closes promptly at 12 noon. Live Auction begins at 12:30pm featuring nearly 140 unique wines, including a limited number of "Spin the Bottle" lots offered by the Napa Valley Vintners. Live Auction and Private Donor Auction conclude early evening.
Saturday Evening: Al fresco dinner and dancing immediately follows the Auction. Guest chef, Annie Roberts, daughter of Margrit Biever Mondavi.
Sunday: Traditional winery open houses with entertainment, tastings and food.
Contact:
