In 1981, the Napa Valley Vintners established Auction Napa Valley as a way to embrace and foster the inspirational collaboration of our agrarian community. The Napa Valley Auction is an event that allows the talent of our local vintners, the success of our wines, as well as the open handedness of vintners and participants alike, to benefit those that work and live in the Napa community. We extend our gratitude to the generosity of our bidders, which have changed the lives of many people. This philanthropic wine auction has surpassed all expectations. Since 1981, Auction Napa Valley has given nearly $78 million to the Napa Valley community in support of health, youth services, and affordable housing non-profits.
Below are the upcoming events. We hope that if you have not participated in the past, you keep it in mind for the future. It’s so much fun!
Wednesday, June 4
The Magnum Party is the kick off party hosted by the Wine Spectator. The event takes place at Tra Vigne Restaurant in St. Helena. This year, the party was a blast, the food and wine were outstanding, the band was rocking all night and the crowd was more fun than ever. The hosts of the party keep it small by including the winemakers and principals of auction participating wineries exclusively. Attendance is by invitation only.
For those not invited to the Magnum Party, a local group of vintners started the half bottle party. This is a fun event that takes place the same day as the Magnum party, during the day. It has traditionally been held at Taylors, in St. Helena, from noon until the end of the day.
Thursday, June 5
Auction Eve Kick-Off Celebrations Kick-off events take place throughout the Valley, at vintner’s homes, wineries and cellars. Guests may attend as many as they would like. However, it is best that they stick to one or two per day to enjoy each venue thouroughly and make it around the valley safely.
Friday, June 6
Taste Napa Valley
11:00 am - 4:00 pmTrinchero Family Estates
The tasting begins outdoors, where over one hundred vintners pour some of their finest releases, dozens of Napa Valley restaurateurs and artisans share their specialties, live music and entertainment abounds.
Guests can come inside to the Barrel Tasting & Auction, where 125 winery owners and winemakers offer a taste of futures. The samples are pulled directly from the barrels and attendees place bids on their favorite selections.
Simultaneously, the E-Auction allows online bidders to chime in. The 80 e-offerings include wine in all forms of rare bottling, special verticals and other collections, as well as unavailable-elsewhere library releases; special private events including private winery stays, parties, one-of-a-kind experiences and more.
Evening in Napa Valley Private Friday night dinner parties with the vintnersHosted by vintners throughout the Valley
After an afternoon with hundreds of your closest wine-loving friends, switch gears with an intimate and private dinner party hosted by a vintner at their winery or home, affording you an opportunity to glimpse into cellars and lives of some of the world's most-renowned names in the wine industry.
Saturday, June 7
A Day in Napa Valley Private midday parties with the vintners Hosted by vintners throughout the Valley
Relax on your own for the morning, then off to another private party! Vintners, individually and in collaboration, welcome guests into their homes, wineries and vineyards for more casual, yet just as spectacular, private parties around the midday--the not-to-be-missed "warm-up" for the festivities to come later that day.
Live Auction and Dinner 5:00 pm - midnight Meadowood Napa Valley
In the evening, guests and vintners--now old friends--come together again at Meadowood Napa Valley for Wine Country's party of the year. After sipping sparkling wine and rubbing elbows on the resort's lawn, pick up your auction paddle and head into the main tent to meet your next vintner host at your reserved table. NBC's "The Tonight Show" host, Jay Leno--back by popular demand--launches the evening fête with one of his inimitable monologues. Immediately following, you'll be treated to a multicourse dinner prepared by some of the Heitz Wine Cellars family's favorite chefs, including Douglas Dale, of Wolfdale's in Tahoe City, CA; Ken Frank of La Toque in Napa Valley; Christopher Kostow of Meadowood Napa Valley; Daniel Bruce from The Meritage Restaurant at the Boston Harbor Hotel; and Alan Wong of Alan Wong's Hawaii in Honolulu. This chef 's tasting menu will be paired with an array of Napa Valley wines, including a large-format bottle, personally selected and poured for you by your table's vintner.
The weekend's highlight, the Live Auction, is your entertainment during dinner, as you bid on the 44 incredible lots, with the vintners who created these offerings on hand to personally congratulate you and toast your win with a glass of wine. All are offered and bid upon in the spirit of giving and will provide much-needed support for our dozens of health, youth and affordable housing charity recipients. Post-Auction, the festivities continue on the grounds of Meadowood, with dancing to live music and continued merrymaking under the stars until the clock strikes midnight.
Sunday, June 8
Farewell Fete 10:00 am - 1:00 pmTrinchero Family Estates
See how the "next generation" of Napa Valley vintners likes to throw a party: a little wine, a little food, a little music and a lot of stories, all shared among friends. Join second- and third-generation wine family members of Napa Valley for an unpretentious, yet utterly appropriate parting shindig that'll tie the perfect bow on your Auction Napa Valley weekend. Regina Weinstein enjoying a pork pulled sandwich at "Taste Napa Valley" Yum!!!