Auction Napa Valley 2015 Is Upon Us

Since 1981, the Napa Valley Vintners nonprofit trade association has been harnessing the region’s global reputation as a leader in wine production to raise funds for the benefit of the local community through Auction Napa Valley. This year’s festivities and fundraising kick off on Thursday, June 4 and continue through Sunday, June 7, 2015.

More than 80 percent of Napa Valley Vintners members are participating in the 35th annual event. Participation includes hosting parties or open houses, donating lots for auction, or providing wine or hosting a table at Saturday’s auction.

If you can’t make it to the events and live auction, you can participate in the bidding online at eauction.auctionnapavalley.org.

Benefiting the Napa Valley Community

In its three and a half decades, Auction Napa Valley has gifted more than $145 million dollars to local organizations serving community health and children’s education needs. Area healthcare nonprofits, mental health facilities, family services centers, senior care initiatives, youth development services, and classroom-based programs receive donations from auction proceeds.

Vintner-Hosted Welcome Parties and Dinner Parties

On Thursday and Friday nights, numerous area vintners host parties and dinners in their homes and wine cellars. These intimate gatherings, focused on food, wine, and conversation, accommodate anywhere from 8 to 40 guests and are of varying formality, from casual and “dressed to boogie” to en blanc and Wine Country elegant.

For a complete list of Thursday evening welcome parties, go to auctionnapavalley.org/auction-parties/thursday.aspx; for a complete list of Friday evening dinner parties, go to auctionnapavalley.org/auction-parties/friday.aspx.

Napa Valley Barrel Auction

On Friday, June 5, the Napa Valley Barrel Auction is held from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm at the HALL St. Helena Winery, located at 401 St. Helena Highway South, St. Helena, CA 94574. Hundreds of winemakers will be in attendance for the festivities, which, of course, include many fine wines to sip and sample.

Afterward, explore the Auction Napa Valley Marketplace, hosted right outside amidst amazing scenery and architecture. Representatives from over 100 wineries pour samples of their newest releases, and dozens of highly acclaimed local restaurants provide the food. There’s also a preview of Saturday’s main event, the Live Auction.

Live Auction Celebration

This is the centerpiece of Auction Napa Valley, held on Saturday, June 6, from noon to 8:00 pm. It’s at Meadowood Napa Valley, located at 900 Meadowood Lane, St. Helena, CA 94574. A fantastic al fresco lunch in another gorgeous Napa Valley setting leads up to the auction. After the gavel falls for the final time, guests enjoy an elegant al fresco dinner and dancing beneath the stars, accompanied, of course, by plenty of wines.

Open house events at area wineries conclude Auction Napa Valley 2015 on Sunday, June 7. Spend the day visiting one or more, experiencing delectable food and wine pairings, comparing different vintages at vertical tastings, learning new things, and making new friends.