On the grassy fairway at Napa’s Meadowood Resort, retired race car driver turned vintner Danica Patrick held court, sharing memories of her wins with a gaggle of rosé-gulping auction attendees thinking of bidding on her lot. One wandered off, fell over drunk, was carried to a nearby chair and handed an espresso.
Later, a recent college grad from Houston got so carried away by the 2006 Aston Martin in one lot that he bid $280,000 and nailed it. His mother paid up.
These are the sorts of things that happen at Auction Napa Valley, the Super Bowl of annual wine charity events, where millions of dollars are raised and celebrity chefs and vintners gather with Hollywood stars and wealthy wine lovers to toast, drink, eat, and bid on fabulous experiences and wines.
Last year’s auction brought in $13.6 million. Since 1981, the event has contributed a total of $185 million to community health programs and local charities that focus on children’s education.
To celebrate their 75th anniversary, the Napa Valley Vintners, the trade association of wineries that organizes the auction, is going full red carpet in 2019 with a double header of star power. Pop singer-songwriter Katy Perry will kick off the live auction bidding on Saturday afternoon with a set of her hits (California Gurls, Roar, Dark Horse) intended to make everyone go wild, open their wallets, and bid big-ly. The culinary headliner, food media star Ayesha Curry, wife of Golden State Warriors player Stephen Curry, will preside over her versions of global barbecue at the post-auction dinner.
This year’s days of decadence are from May 30 to June 2 and pressure is on to top 2014’s record of $18.6 million.
Beginner’s Guide
Plenty of stretch limos will snake their way up to Meadowood for Saturday’s live auction. A long table of polished glasses, bearing gorgeous wines such as Stony Hill chardonnay and lush Azur rosé (the weather will be hot), and cute kids representing various charities greet you on the green lawn.
This is no black tie affair. Think smart wine-country attire and maybe a Panama hat because of the sun. Glass in hand, you grab some delicious food, chat to vintners, who’ll be offering tastes to anyone who says hello, and wander through creative displays for each live lot until it’s time to head into the big, white, blissfully air-conditioned auction tent.
The weekend’s format includes vintner-hosted dinners Thursday and Friday, a Friday afternoon barrel auction, an e-auction, and Saturday’s live auction, dinner and after party. (You don’t have to be there to bid. Registering as an e-bidder is free.)