Sun Valley Center Wine Auction- 2012 Silent Lots

Silent Lots Sun Valley Center for the Arts Wine Auction

101 silent lots

Opening Bid $600 Includes One 5-Liter Bottle Three 750ml Bottles Donor Manuel Louzada, Winemaker Numanthia Valdefinjas-Zamora, Spain

Numanthia Sensual Spain

Spain’s Numanthia lies close to the Portuguese border where winemaking dates back to Roman times, and many of Numanthia’s vines are more than 100 years old. The weather in this region is extreme; the soil deep, sandy and full of stones. The result?

Transcendent wines. This is your chance to savor some of these gems. Tonight, take home the grandest jewel, the 2008 Numanthia Jeroboam, made even more valuable because it is signed by renowned winemaker Manuel Louzada. Grown in the Toro wine region, Numanthia is bright cherry-red in color with light purple tones. The aroma is rich and complex. Fresh, fruity notes are integrated with spices, tobacco and toasted tastes. The palate is concentrated, well structured, silky and very elegant; the finish long, complex and spicy. The 2008 Numanthia received 91 points from both Wine Spectator and International Wine Cellar.

And there’s more! The high bidder will also take home three different bottles of Numanthia’s Termanthia, from 2001, 2002 and 2003.

Termanthia boasts an inky, ruby, almost purple color and a strong perfume of blackberries, raspberries, vanilla, smoke, licorice and coffee.

These are full-bodied, multilayered wines, pure and intense. The 2001 vintage received 96 points from The Wine Advocate; the 2002 vintage was awarded 96 points from Wine Spectator while the 2003 vintage was recognized with 95 points from the same publication.

102 silent lots

Opening Bid $200 Includes Twelve 750ml Bottles Tour and Tasting for Two Donor Idaho Grape Growers & Wine Producers Commission

Home Grown Idaho It’s an Idaho secret that is spreading quickly, as all good secrets are apt to do: The beautiful land of southern Idaho produces some beautiful wine. Familiarize yourself with Gem State Rieslings, Cabernet Sauvignons, Syrahs and mixed varietals with this comprehensive package. This tour for two begins in Boise and meanders through the scenic Snake River Valley wine country. One lucky couple will be introduced to the Sawtooth Winery and the Ste. Chapelle Winery (the oldest still producing in the state) by some of the state’s top winemakers. The tour will then progress to Williamson Orchards & Vineyards where the two can sample fresh, ripe fruit. The day continues with a stop at Bitner Vineyards to see their vines and take in the views before returning to Boise. On the road back to the capital, one last detour to family-owned Indian Creek Winery adds a final serving of Idaho hospitality.

Tonight, the winner of this lot will take home a taste of Idaho to enjoy long after the tour has ended. This mixed case represents the wineries visited, as well as Coiled Wines, Colter’s Creek Winery and Snyder Winery.

The tour must be scheduled in advance for a mutually agreeable date through the Idaho Grape Growers & Wine Producers Commission.

Elkhorn Ridge Vineyards & Winery

“777” Willamette Valley Pinot Noir, 2008 “Le Terre Foss” Willamette Valley Pinot Noir, 2008 The 2008 vintage of Willamette Valley Pinot Noir is, by all accounts, simply superb. The year’s wonderful synthesis of soil, weather and attention to detail is evident at first sip of both the “777” Willamette Valley Pinot Noir and “Le Terre Foss,” the wines that will be going home in Double Magnum format with tonight’s lucky winner. Each was awarded a Silver Medal at both the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition and the San Francisco International Wine Competition. Beautiful to the eye with a deep ruby color, these medium to full-bodied wines offer a sensuous bouquet of ripe strawberries, sweet cherries, loamy soil and just a hint of oak. The “Le Terre Foss” is slightly more feminine in character with plum, red cherry and strawberry notes. The “777” is more masculine and fuller bodied with tones of black cherry, blackberry and chocolate. Both bottlings should drink well for seven to eight years.

Insignia

2000 Joseph Phelps Insignia Insignia is the flagship wine from St. Helena’s Joseph Phelps Vineyards and is recognized as one of the world’s great wines. Rated 90–92 points by The Wine Advocate, the 2000 vintage delivers a smoky, rich cassis character, medium to full body and an open, lush, generous style. Expansive, fleshy and seductive, this Magnum will be a sensational addition to any special meal or occasion.

103 silent lots

Opening Bid $200 Includes Two 3-Liter Bottles Donor Charles Foss, Owner Elkhorn Ridge Vineyards & Winery Willamette Valley, Oregon

104 silent lots

Opening Bid $250 Includes One 1.5-Liter Bottle Donor Priscilla Panzer In Memory of Bill Panzer

105 silent lots

Opening Bid $500 Includes Four 1.5 Liter Bottles Twelve 750ml Bottles Donor Steven and Marilyn Rivera, Owners Rivera Vineyards Napa, California

Rivera Vineyards

Magnanimous and Perpetuity “Great wine and good works” is the mission of Rivera Vineyards, a philanthropic project created by Steven and Marilyn Rivera. Their commitment to creating a very special wine with a singular purpose— to assist others who are less fortunate—has changed the lives of countless people. The wines of Rivera Vineyards are not available in stores, so this is the perfect opportunity to sample and delight in a full complement of vintages crafted from grapes grown in the rugged Atlas Peak Appellation of the Napa Valley. The winner of this lot will take home three different Magnums of Rivera’s flagship Magnanimous Cabernet Sauvignon from 2005, 2006 and 2007 and a Magnum of 2008 Perpetuity Cabernet Sauvignon.

In addition, a mixed case will find its way into the winner’s cellar and onto his or her table. Tonight, take home four bottles each of 2006 and 2007 Magnanimous Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as four bottles of the vineyard’s 2008 Perpetuity Cabernet Sauvignon. Magnanimous has rich and thick tannins but retains an elegance and softness from the vineyard. Perpetuity is elegant and restrained. Both have aromas that tend toward blackberry, cassis and black cherry, with components of dried herbs and green tea.

Drink well, do good!

106 silent lots

Opening Bid $150 Includes One 3-Liter Bottle Donor Don and Rhonda Carano, Proprietors Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery Healdsburg, California

Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery Signed, Sealed, Delivered

In French, “trésor” means treasure, but when you see, smell and taste this Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery blend of five classic Bordeaux varietals, no translation will be needed. Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Malbec, Merlot and Cabernet Franc create delicious aromas of blueberry, blackberry and cassis with a vibrant mid-palate of roasted mocha and vanilla. Full-bodied, with an impressive tannin profile, this wine will drink well now and for the next 15–20 years. The grapes of Ferrari-Carano are hand-harvested from dry-farmed, low-yielding vines primarily on mountain vineyards in the Alexander Valley. The 2007 Ferrari-Carano Trésor is a dramatic and dynamic red (actually closer to inky purple) that showcases a range of savory herbs and a bottomless finish of double-drenched plums.

This Double Magnum is made even more desirable with the addition of an autograph by Don and Rhonda Carano.

Cakebread Cellars

Dancing Bear Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon, 2008 In 2008, the vines of Cakebread Cellars’ Dancing Bear Ranch on Howell Mountain in eastern Napa Valley reached their 10th year, attaining a level of maturity that ensures consistently excellent, complex wines. The 2008 Dancing Bear is 95 percent Cabernet Sauvignon and 5 percent Cabernet Franc with heady, deeply concentrated and wonderfully complex aromas of black plum, crushed boysenberry, ripe olallieberry, fig, earth, baking spices and chocolate. The wine delivers intense, mouth-filling blackberry, black cherry, boysenberry and forest-floor spice flavors supported by supple, chewy tannins and a long, mouth-coating finish enriched by dark chocolate and toasted oak tones. It is big, dramatic and youthful. No wonder the bear is dancing.

107 silent lots

Opening Bid $200 Includes One 1.5-Liter Bottle Donor The Cakebread Family, Owners Cakebread Cellars Rutherford, California

Tonight’s high bidder will take home a Magnum of the 2008 Dancing Bear Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon in a handsome signed gift box.

Enchanting Encaustic The art of Caroline Woodham is energetic, fresh and natural. When she is shooting portraits her lens captures honesty and beauty. The lucky winner of this package will have one of Caroline’s fine art encaustic portraits to enjoy now and pass down through the generations. They are timeless treasures!

The portrait offered here combines traditional photography with the ancient art of encaustic, a mixed media technique. Encaustic, a wax/resin formula enriched with pigment, is a medium characterized by depth, rich color and a luminous surface. Encaustics add a fresh take to traditional portraiture. Caroline will start with a photo shoot. Her interaction with her models is light-hearted and fun, resulting in a natural look with genuine expression. She will then use the photo as the basis for a portrait painted on watercolor paper, adhered to a wood substrate and finished with encaustic medium and oil paint. All the outtakes from the photo shoot will also be given to the subject on disc so that additional prints may be made.

108 silent lots

Opening Bid $800 Includes One Single Person 18” x 18” Encaustic Portrait Donor Caroline Woodham Ketchum, Idaho

109 silent lots

Opening Bid $50 Includes One 1.5-Liter Bottle Donor Brian Carter, Winemaker Brian Carter Cellars Woodinville, Washington

110 silent lots

Opening Bid $150 Includes Six 750ml Bottles Donors Aveniu Brands Barcelona, Spain Legaris Crianza Ribera del Duero, Spain

Brian Carter Cellars Blended with a Passion

Veteran winemaker Brian Carter meticulously handcrafts Solesce, Brian Carter Cellars’ flagship Bordeaux-style blend. The name “Solesce” is Latin for “sun” and “essence,” and each bottle showcases Brian’s personal passion for blending wines that reflect Washington State’s unique terroir. The wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec grapes. This Magnum of 2006 Solesce is richly dark in color. The generous and complex aroma shows ripe black cherries and blueberries with hints of licorice, bay leaf, mint and toasted vanilla. Mouth-filling flavors of cassis and black fruit are followed by firm yet silky tannins that produce a long finish and good concentration.

Legaris

It’s All About the Barrel Spain’s Legaris brings to the world of wine the perfect synthesis of more than 2,000 years of grape growing in Ribera del Duero and a dedication to innovation. The winery, situated in the midst of estate vineyards in one of the most prestigious areas of the region, boasts more than 225 acres planted mostly with Tempranillo and some Cabernet Sauvignon. State-ofthe-art technology, unique in the region, develops ultra-premium quality wines. The vineyard’s barrel-aging protocol is also an integral part of the Legaris difference. Casks of different origins, made by different coopers, are used to provide a palette of flavors. As many as 20 different types of barrels may be used to age Legaris wine.

Legaris Crianza is an amazing marriage between the art of the cooperage and the fruitiness and brightness of the Tempranillo grape. The wine is an intense, cherry-red color with youthful violet highlights. Red fruit character stands out among vibrant aromas, combined with hints of vanilla and coconut that originate from twelve months in oak barrels. Legaris Crianza is typified by lively flavor, firm structure and good length. Tonight one fortunate bidder will take home six bottles of the 2006 Crianza Ribera del Duero vintage to enjoy.

Snake River Winery

Wonderful Wine from the Wilderness State On the slope of a valley carved by the majestic Snake River sits the Arena Valley Vineyard. Southwestern Idaho’s ancient riverbeds provide the unique cobbled soil that allows a diverse range of grape varietals to flourish. This combined with elevation and consistently hot, dry summers approximates the climate of Old World wine growing regions. Snake River Winery is inspired by this environment and brings a passion for traditional winemaking and viticulture to every bottle produced on its 75-acre estate.

Bring home a taste of Idaho tonight, with this Double Magnum of 2005 Snake River Reserve, a premium blended Cabernet Sauvignon.

Jericho Canyon Vineyard Canyons and Caves

A visit to Jericho Canyon Vineyard is sure to stir the senses and enliven the imagination. Set in a rugged area of Calistoga at the northeastern end of the Napa Valley, the winery is ringed by Mount St. Helena and the Palisades. The winner of this lot will take in the beauty firsthand. Four people will be treated to a tour of the vineyard and a tasting of the estate’s boutique wines while getting a behind-the-scenes look at where the magic of creating Jericho Canyon Vineyard’s highly regarded Bordeaux-style wines happens.

To keep the pleasant memory of the visit alive, or to do a little “research” before the visit, the winning bidder will go home this weekend with a Magnum of 2007 Jericho Canyon Vineyard Estate Cabernet Sauvignon.

This well-structured wine is made from 100 percent Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep, ripe fruit aromas of blueberries, blackberries and black currants with layered notes of cinnamon and vanilla bean emerge when the bottle is first opened. The complex palate has great depth and purity that will enable this wine to age gracefully for many years.

111 silent lots

Opening Bid $75 Includes One 3-Liter Bottle Donor Scott DeSeelhorst, Owner and Winemaker Snake River Winery Boise, Idaho

112 silent lots

Opening Bid $150 Includes One 1.5-Liter Bottle Tour and Tasting for Four Donor Marla and Dale Bleecher, Proprietors Jericho Canyon Vineyard Calistoga, California

113 silent lots

Willamette Valley Vineyards Who Blends Best?

Opening Bid $200 Includes One 1.5-Liter Bottle Tour, Tasting and Blending Exercise for Six Lunch for Six Donor Jim Bernau, Founder and President Willamette Valley Vineyards Turner, Oregon

114 silent lots

Opening Bid $300 Includes Twelve 750ml Bottles Donor Craig Haserot, Proprietor Sojourn Cellars Sonoma, California

Wine connoisseurs competitive? Never! Well, maybe just a little.

Here is your chance to go head-to-head with five friends in a blending competition—okay, let’s call it an exercise—to see just who blends best. Enjoy a beautiful day at Willamette Valley Vineyards where winemaker Don Crank and assistant winemaker Daniel Shepherd will demonstrate the blending techniques employed at the vineyard. Then it’s your turn. A tour of the winery, a tasting and a fabulous lunch are also included in what is certain to be an enjoyable day in Oregon’s wine country. Remember: He who blends best, drinks best.

The lot also includes a professionally blended Magnum of 2007 Signature Cuvée Pinot Noir. The deep garnet-colored wine boasts complex, layered aromas of blackberry and black cherry with a hint of campfire smoke. It opens with sweet caramelized sugar, graham crackers and cherry pie flavors. Dry in the middle, the finish is elegant with soft, silky tannins. A winemaker's blend with limited production, it is the best that the harvest has to offer.

Sojourn Cellars Case Closed

A taste of Sonoma’s legendary viticulture will be yours to enjoy again and again with this case of 2010 Rodgers Creek Vineyard Pinot Noir. For this vintage, Sojourn Cellars sourced fruit from Rodgers Creek Vineyard, nestled between Sonoma and Petaluma. Perched at 300 feet above sea level with pure, western exposure in the heart of the Petaluma Gap, which constantly funnels wind and fog from the Pacific Ocean, this is a special site. The Petaluma Gap climate combines with well-draining, volcanic soils and a preponderance of the Pommard clone planted in Sojourn’s sections of the vineyard to produce a distinctive Pinot Noir defined primarily by earth and game flavors that allow the fruit to play a secondary role.

The 2010 Pinot Noir features elegant aromas of mushroom, earth and Asian spice overlaying a core of dark cherry and blackberry. This wine stands out in a crowd and shows the most Burgundian flavors of Sojourn’s 2010 lineup.

115 Sokol Blosser Winery

silent lots

Dundee Hills Pinot Noir, 2008

The critics have spoken and the reviews are raves. The 2008 Dundee Hills Pinot Noir garnered 90 points from both the Wine Spectator and The Wine Advocate. Complex and layered, with black cherry, berry and earthy minerality, this noteworthy vintage has concentration and depth without being heavy. There is wonderful structure and texture, with soft, supple tannins and acidity for aging. With proper cellaring, everything is in place for this wine to develop and age beautifully for the next 10 to 15 years. This worthy wine is offered tonight in a rare, etched Double Magnum.

Bill Blosser and Susan Sokol Blosser planted their first vines in the then nascent Oregon wine country in 1971. They have grown and run Sokol Blosser Winery as a family-owned business since, with their son and daughter Alex and Alison now assuming the role of co-presidents.

ROCO Winery Secret Stash

Tonight, a beautiful etched Magnum of ROCO Winery’s 2010 Private Stash can be yours. Why is this important? Because the wine will not be released until the fall, you will be among the privileged few to first saturate your taste buds with this luscious vintage. With a silky texture, ripe zippy fresh fruit and a deep rich color, the wine is full-bodied and fantastic.

Estate grown Pinot Noir from ROCO’s Wits’ End Vineyard is always at the top of its game. In 1987, winemaker Rollin Soles brought 20 years of dreaming, research and planning to fruition when he purchased a unique hillside property in the Chehalem mountain range. In 2001, Rollin and his wife Corby planted the hillside in what Rollin calls “the three sexiest Dijon Pinot Noir clones available” and in 2003 announced the fruit of their long held vision, ROCO wines. The result is a vineyard and wines that reflect the very best distillation of Rollin's 20 years of Oregon viticultural learning and the property’s special characteristics.

Opening Bid $200 Includes One 3-Liter Bottle Donor Bill Blosser and Susan Sokol Blosser, Proprietors Sokol Blosser Winery Dundee, Oregon

116 silent lots

Opening Bid $100 Includes One 1.5-Liter Bottle (delivered after bottling) Donor Rollin and Corby Soles, Owners and Winemakers ROCO Winery Newberg, Oregon

117 silent lots

Opening Bid $200 Includes Two 1.5-Liter Bottles Tour, Tasting and Lunch for Six Donor Haley Wight and Erik Dodd, Co-Proprietors Hayfork Wine Company St. Helena, California

Hayfork Wine Company

Lewelling Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon, 2008 Lewelling Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon, 2009 Join Hayfork Wine Company winemaker Haley Wight and viticulturist Erik Dodd for a lively day at Lewelling Ranch. These experts in artisanmade wine will share with you their knowledge of and their passion for the wines of Hayfork and break bread with you at a very special lunch.

You and five others will enjoy a vineyard tour and tasting at the historic ranch in St. Helena, California, followed by a sumptuous lunch. The team at Hayfork Wine Company strongly believes that it is the hands of the farmer in the field that lay the foundation necessary to produce quality wine. A member of Wight’s family has been continuously farming the Lewelling Ranch land for six generations. John Lewelling came to the valley in 1864, built a house in 1870 (which is still there) and planted vineyards along with prunes and walnuts. The rest, as they say, is history.

Haley grew up on the property and today focuses on Hayfork and also makes the wine for Lewelling Vineyards' own label. Proud to be part of a family whose past is deeply rooted in the soils of the land and valley, the husband-and-wife team of Wight and Dodd make their wine with the hope that it will inspire land stewardship in generations to come.

Tonight, take home one Magnum each of 2009 and 2008 Lewelling Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon. Bold, juicy flavors including blackberries, blueberries, flowers and mint, plus effortless finishes, define these Hayfork Wine Company bottlings.

118 silent lots

Opening Bid $150 Includes One 1.5-Liter Bottle Donor Anna Matzinger, Winemaker Archery Summit Winery Dayton, Oregon

Archery Summit Winery

Renegade Ridge Estate Pinot Noir, 2003 The 2003 Renegade Ridge Estate Pinot Noir is the fifth release from vines at Archery Summit Winery’s newest estate vineyard. Contiguous to Archery Summit Estate vineyard, Renegade Ridge Estate is planted entirely with specially selected Dijon clones. Deep purple in color, the wine reveals aromas of marionberry, blueberry, sandalwood, clean earth and vanilla. The 2003 Renegade Ridge is an immensely concentrated wine, exhibiting both richness and vibrancy. Brimming with ripe fruit, the palate is awash with red currant, blue fruits, spiced plum and mineral flavors. The broad and mouth-filling tannins lend depth to this lush, opulent Pinot Noir. Approachable, yet youthful, this wine may be enjoyed now or cellared for the next eight to ten years. A Magnum goes home with the high bidder tonight.

Shafer Vineyards The Perfect Hillside

Tonight’s high bidder will proudly take home what Robert Parker called “one of the New World’s most profound Cabernet Sauvignons.” This 2004 Double Magnum celebrates the 25th vintage of this Cabernet Sauvignon from Shafer Vineyards’ rugged terroir. The release displays classic Stags Leap District brilliance with rich, perfumed aromatics and flavors of blackberry, cassis, black cherry, warm plum pie, dark chocolate and a touch of vanilla. While enjoyable today, this wine will gain richness and maturity with up to 20 years of careful cellaring.

Grgich Hills Estate Cabernet at Its Best

It is well established that Grgich Hills Estate is one of the premier wineries in California, the United States and the world. For 50 years, under the auspices of founder Miljenko “Mike” Grgich, the wines of Grgich Hills Estate have won a steady stream of California and international prizes. Passionate and relentless in his quest for quality, Mike has helped pioneer a number of significant breakthroughs in California winemaking techniques, including the use of cold stabilization and malolactic fermentation and the use of oak barrels for proper aging.

Grgich Hills winemakers ferment the grapes using only yeasts that naturally occur on the grapes and allow the wine to gain flavors and color from extended skin contact. Each lot is aged separately for several months, then blended to create a wine that is more complex than the individual parts. After blending, the wine spends another year and a half in the barrel to completely harmonize before bottling.

This bottle, an enviable Double Magnum of 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, is an exemplary product of the years of perfecting their techniques.

All of the grapes were grown at the estate vineyards, which are Certified Organic and biodynamic. The result is an elegant wine with aromas of black cherries and licorice with a long finish. Full bodied with smooth tannins, it's the perfect partner with filet mignon, grilled steak or lamb chops.

119 silent lots

Opening Bid $600 Includes One 3-Liter Bottle Donor John and Barbara Shafer, Owners Shafer Vineyards Napa, California

120 silent lots

Opening Bid $150 Includes One 3-Liter Bottle Donor Miljenko Grgich and Austin Hills, Co-Proprietors Grgich Hills Estate Rutherford, California

121 silent lots

Opening Bid $75 Includes Six 750ml Bottles Donor John and Vicki Danielson, Partners Vale Wine Company Caldwell, Idaho

122 silent lots

Opening Bid $200 Includes Two 1.5-Liter Bottles Donor Kermit Lynch, Owner Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant Berkeley, California

Vale Wine Company

A Vertical from Vale, and Perfect Summer Wines The endless, sun-kissed days of an Idaho summer cry out for fabulous white wines. Tonight, you will take home three from the Vale Wine Company. The 2010 Viognier features aromas of ripe peaches, apricots and hints of orchard blossoms—perfect with summer salads and light entrees. The 2010 Riesling is sweet, delicious and refreshing with floral, apple and pear aromas. Finally, the 2010 Chardonnay produces rich aromas of apples and pears, a light silky texture with hints of oak and a mouth-watering finish. Each is summer in a bottle.

Also included in this radiant lot is a Vale Wine Cabernet Sauvignon vertical collection representing 2007, 2008 and 2009. The wines reflect the soils and climate of the Snake River Valley growing region of Idaho.

Berry flavors and smooth tannins predominate. The 2007 vintage is a library wine, making this lot even more desirable.

Ancient Vines, Celebrated Wines

Pallières Gigondas “Terrasse du Diable,” 2008 Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc, 2009 Tonight’s high bidder will take home two very special Magnums from one of France’s most celebrated wine regions.

The first, the 2008 Terrasse du Diable, hails from Domaine Les Pallières, one of the greatest, longest-running properties of the Southern Rhône.

Woven into the foothills outside the village of Gigondas, this cru is legendary. Deep red in color, this is an impressive, elegant wine with lovely finishing clarity and spicy persistence.

The second, the 2009 Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc, evokes all that is legendary about Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe. The wines of Vieux Télégraphe exude the concept of terroir in its purest form, reflecting their dramatic climate, the rough terrain that defines the soil, the sun exposure and the types of the varietals with an emphasis on Grenache. This is a fresh, full-bodied and delicious white.

Valentin Bianchi Winery A Rare Argentine Jewel

Boasting beautiful original etched artwork, only three of these special Double Magnums of 2009 Sensual Malbec were ever orchestrated. But don’t be too distracted by the wrapping, or you might not pay adequate attention to the tantalizing wine inside.

Bodega Valentin Bianchi is one of the oldest and most important wineries in South America; a symbol of tradition, nobility and quality in Argentine wines. Grapes for this selection come from a single vineyard in San Rafael, Mendoza, perched 2,500 feet above sea level, one of the coolest areas in San Rafael. Grapes are hand-picked and hand-sorted, crushed, then fermented in stainless steel. A portion is aged in French oak and the final blend is aged for one month in the bottle before release. This Malbec is one of the most popular to enter the United States.

123 silent lots

Opening Bid $150 Includes One 3-Liter Bottle Donor The Bianchi Family, Owners Valentin Bianchi Winery San Rafael, Mendoza, Argentina

Sensual, indeed.

Bissinger’s Handcrafted Chocolatier Chocolate Lovers Rejoice

Bonnie and Clyde, salt and pepper, fine wine and fine chocolate. Some things just belong together. Get ready to experience the pleasures of wine and chocolate with this basket bursting with goodness. Tickle your taste buds with unexpected couplings like Pear Balsamic Salt Caramels, Merlot and Chardonnay Salt Caramels, chocolate covered wine grapes, Golden and Black Mission Fig Truffles, Porcini Truffles, Kreta Olive Oil Truffles and solid chocolate bars from the Rainforest Alliance line.

Supermarket chocolate this is not! Also included for the perfect pairing are Bissinger’s 2007 Limited Release Cabernet Sauvignon and 2008 Limited Release Chardonnay.

The Bissinger family has been crafting its confections for more than 350 years. These wonderful taste sensations come from a small kitchen in St. Louis where tradition and quality are still the most important ingredients in making the world’s finest chocolate.

124 silent lots

Opening Bid $200 Includes Two 750ml Bottles Bissinger’s Wine and Chocolate Basket Donor Bissinger’s Handcrafted Chocolatier St. Louis, Missouri

125 silent lots

Opening Bid $100 Includes Private Tour and Tasting for Eight Donor Jan and Mitsuko Shrem, Owners Clos Pegase Winery Calistoga, California

Clos Pegase Winery Estate of the Art

Down the road from Calistoga, California, there is a crossroads where “Vine meets Divine.” You and seven others (eight people total) are invited to this special intersection: the home of Clos Pegase Winery. Here, you will tour an estate dedicated to the finest winemaking practices as well as great works of art assembled over a lifetime by proprietors Jan and Mitsuko Shrem. A majestic temple, worthy of Bacchus, is but one example of the inspiring architecture throughout the property, as well as the attractive winery, grounds, caves and the outstanding art collection.

Not to be outdone by the surroundings, Clos Pegase’s award-winning wines will also capture your attention and earn your admiration. The private tasting will include current vintages and perhaps some library favorites.

All of your senses will be glad you made the trip.

The tour and tasting should be arranged four weeks in advance and winner must present gift certificate upon arrival. Use is subject to availability and transportation is not included.

126 silent lots

Opening Bid $100 Includes One 1.5 Liter Bottle Donor Marie-Eve Gilla, Partner and Winemaker Forgeron Cellars Walla Walla, Washington

Forgeron Cellars

A Long History of Handcrafted This etched Magnum of Forgeron Cellars 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon is a work of art inside and out. The handcrafted wine is rich with dense aromas of blackberry, boysenberry, and smoky cedar. The intense mouth is big with spice, creamy dark chocolate, chewy black cherries, nice acids and a lingering finish. According to the winemaker, it is a vintage that will make you go weak at the knees! It is made even more special by the etched bottle that the high bidder will take home this evening.

You will like this wine the moment you meet it.

Huston Vineyards

A Library Wine from Idaho’s Agricultural Heart Huston Vineyards sits perched at the gateway to Idaho’s Snake River wine country and the well-traveled Sunnyslope Wine Trail. Established in 2006, this boutique vineyard and winery crafts Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah from vines that thrive in the rich volcanic soil.

A taste of Idaho goes to tonight’s high bidder, who will stock his or her cellar with six bottles from Huston Vineyards. Three are the 2009 Private Reserve Red. Only 100 cases of this wine were crafted and quickly sold out. Three bottles of the distinguished 2010 Merlot also go home with the lucky winner of this lot.

Wente Vineyards

Past, Present and Future Founded more than 125 years ago, Wente Vineyards is the country’s oldest continuously operated family-owned winery. Today, the winery maintains its leadership role in California winegrowing under ownership and management by the fourth and fifth generations of the Wente family.

This Double Magnum of 2008 Charles Wetmore Cabernet Sauvignon is named in honor of one of the Livermore Valley’s most prominent wine pioneers. The descendants of vines Wetmore brought from France in the 19th century thrive today and are prized for making wines with intensity, depth of flavor, and rich, lush body. The bottle is made even more valuable as it bears the signature of the winemaker.

127 silent lots

Opening Bid $75 Includes Six 750ml Bottles Donor Gregg and Mary Alger, Owners Huston Vineyards Caldwell, Idaho

128 silent lots

Opening Bid $100 Includes One 3-Liter Bottle Donor The Wente Family, Owners Wente Vineyards Livermore, California

129 silent lots

Opening Bid $200 Includes Six 750ml Bottles Donor Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, Owner Spring Valley Vineyard Walla Walla, Washington

130 silent lots

Opening Bid $250 Includes Two 1.5-Liter Bottles Lunch for Six Donor The Kenefick Family, Owners Kenefick Ranch Vineyards Calistoga, California

Spring Valley Vineyard Consider Yourself at Home

This lot will make you feel a part of the family. The names given to the Spring Valley Vineyard’s Family Collection are a tribute to those who struggled and succeeded in farming the same land where the vineyard now flourishes. The land beneath the vines has been handed down through the generations and tended with care, allowing the current stewards to produce only the finest estate grown and bottled red wines in limited production.

Tonight’s high bidder will take home six bottles from this fabled terroir.

The Family Collection includes a 2008 Derby Cabernet Sauvignon, a 2008 Muleskinner Merlot, a 2008 Uriah Red Blend, a 2008 Frederick Red Blend, a 2008 Nina Lee Syrah and a 2008 Katherine Cabernet Franc. Each of the vintages has received accolades and ratings of between 90 and 93 points.

Kenefick Ranch Vineyards Scenery, Siblings, Sublime Wine

Ah, lunch with a view—and wine. The high bidder and five friends will partake of it all on the deck of Kenefick Ranch Vineyards, in the foothills of the Palisades Mountains in Calistoga. Dr. Tom Kenefick owns the magnificent estate with his children, Caitlin and Chris, and at least one of these knowledgeable insiders will be at the table. Of course, Kenefick Ranch’s handcrafted and estate grown wines will also be at the table, along with lively conversation and memorable food.

Tonight, take home two selections from this esteemed winery. The first, a 2006 Kenefick Ranch Cabernet Franc Caitlin’s Select will bring the taste of the vineyard’s unique properties to your table. The second bottle, the 2006 Kenefick Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon Chris’s Cuvée, is probably something akin to his relationship with his sibling: distinct, but based on inherent similarities, due to the proximity of upbringing. Both are offered in a generous Magnum.

Alexander Valley Vineyards First Growth

When you open this beautiful collectors’ case, the words “History, Tradition, Excellence” are revealed beneath the lid. The wines nestled in this box live up to those lofty sentiments. The limited CYRUS vertical features two bottles each of vintages from 2005, 2006 and 2007. Each showcases the excellence of the Wetzel Family Estate (a part of Alexander Valley Vineyards), where winemaker Kevin Hall selects the most distinctive lots of estate Bordeaux grapes for CYRUS: Cabernet Sauvignon with exceptional concentration, purity and lush texture; Cabernet Franc with finesse and depth; Merlot for concentration and structure; Petit Verdot for vivid color and richness; and Malbec for rich deep color and depth.

Don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy these very special wines that have come to be known as the First Growth of Sonoma.

JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery ISOSCELES Magnum Vertical

ISOSCELES, an iconic Bordeaux blend modeled on the great Bordeaux left bank wines of Pauillac and Margaux, is a labor of love for JUSTIN Vineyards founders Justin and Deborah Baldwin. A delicious blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot, ISOSCELES has been called the closest thing to a “can't-miss” domestic Bordeaux blend out there. It’s an essential addition to any cellar. Tonight’s winning bidder will take home four Magnums of this very special wine, from 2001, 2002, 2004 and 2005.

131 silent lots

Opening Bid $100 Includes Six 750ml Bottles Donor The Wetzel Family, Owners Alexander Valley Vineyards Healdsburg, California

132 silent lots

Opening Bid $500 Includes Four 1.5-Liter Bottles Donor Justin Baldwin, Founder JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery Paso Robles, California

133 silent lots

Opening Bid $150 Includes One 3-Liter Bottle Twelve 750ml Bottles Donor The Zonin Family, Owners Casa Vinicola Zonin Vicenza, Italy

134 silent lots

Opening Bid $300 Includes Twelve 750ml Bottles Donor Bill Canihan, Proprietor Canihan Family Winery Sonoma, California

Casa Vinicola Zonin Viva Italia!

The wines of Casa Vinicola Zonin will whisk you away to a sidewalk café on a bustling Italian piazza. They are la dolce vita in a glass. At the end of the evening, if you are tonight’s high bidder, you will depart bearing a special large format Chianti and a mixed case of Zonin favorites. The first, the 2005 Castello D’Albola Chianti Classico, called “what Chianti should taste like,” comes in a rare Double Magnum. This taste of Tuscany will transport you, mind and spirit, if not body. You will also enjoy a mixed case of wines that cry out to be featured at a celebration. Three bottles each of Zonin Prosecco NV, Zonin Sparkling Rosé NV, Zonin Asti NV and Zonin Baccorosa NV will add marvelous taste, sparkle and color to your table.

Take a trip to Italy without leaving Sun Valley!

Canihan Family Winery Over the Top Exuberance

This fabulous case—three bottles of each—of fine Pinot Noir from Canihan Family Winery promises to be a part of countless memories in the making. The 2005 Exuberance Reserve has been called the finest Estate Pinot Noir Canihan Family Winery has produced, with extremely limited total allocation. The 2006 and 2007 Estate Pinot Noir are the third and fourth vintages from the dry-farmed Carneros/Sonoma Valley vineyard. The 2008 Exuberance Reserve exhibits lush aromas of ripe strawberries and raspberries; perfumes of rose petals fold into pomegranate, vanilla, leather and caramel with an elegant, velvety mouthfeel.

Back-to-back Gold Medals in the world’s most prestigious wine competitions have proven that Canihan Family Winery’s terroir, meticulous biodynamic and organic farming practices and hands-off winemaking philosophy result in exceptional Pinot Noir.

Saxum Vineyards Booker Vineyard Syrah

Saxum Vineyards is focused on producing Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvédre based blends from the Templeton Gap/Willow Creek area of Paso Robles. Saxum's Booker Vineyard is extremely steep and rocky with a mix of calcareous and siliceous soils. Tonight, from this land, Saxum Vineyards offers a 2006 Booker Vineyard varietal that is 100 percent Syrah and 100 percent delicious. This wine was aged for 20 months without fining or filtering before being bottled.

A dense wine, it offers aromas of acacia flowers, blackberry liqueur, charcoal and graphite. Full of dark berry fruit, the Syrah will drink well through 2015.

An impressive Magnum will go to tonight’s high bidder.

Double the Pleasure, Double the Fun 2001 Château Clerc Milon

From France with love come these two distinguished Magnums of 2001 Château Clerc Milon Grand Cru Classe from the Pauillac wine region of Bordeaux. Deep in color, the wine boasts a rich, expressive nose that displays ripe fruit aromas and spicy, oaky notes. Massive on the palate, it builds on well-forward tannins, revealing licorice, coffee and black currant flavors. A long, substantial finish with notes of tobacco and roasted coffee rounds off this powerful, warmly generous wine.

It should be perfect for drinking right about now. Magnifique!

135 silent lots

Opening Bid $100 Includes One 1.5-Liter Bottle Donor Justin and Heather Smith, Owners Saxum Vineyards Paso Robles, California

136 silent lots

Opening Bid $150 Includes Two 1.5-Liter Bottles Donor Priscilla Panzer In Memory of Bill Panzer

137 silent lots

Opening Bid $150 Includes Six 750ml Bottles Donor Domaine Napa Wine Company, A Division of Bronco Wine Company Ceres, California

138 silent lots

Opening Bid $150 Includes One 1.5-Liter Bottle Donor Robert and Kelly Foley, Proprietors Robert Foley Vineyards Angwin, California

Domaine Napa Wine Company Clos de l’Oratoire des Papes Rouge

The reputation of Clos de l’Oratoire des Papes Rouge has spread across the world. Tonight’s high bidder will understand the hype the moment this fine wine is decanted. Six bottles of the divine 2009 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Clos de l’Oratoire des Papes Rogue will find a special place in the cellar and at the table. Awarded 91 points from Wine Spectator and wonderfully reviewed across the board, the wine is a ripe and nicely structured Châteauneuf-du-Pape that should drink best from 2013 to 2020.

Robert Foley Vineyards

2006 Robert Foley Vineyards Claret This vintage has been called a wonder wine and it truly is wonderful!

A delicious middle, thorough ripeness and perfect tannin framework qualify this wine to stand next to the vineyard’s fantastic 2001 offering.

The product of a blend of vineyard blocks rather than varieties, this wine is 100 percent Cabernet Sauvignon. Tonight, a special Magnum of this signature big, bold red Robert Foley can be yours. Inspirational in its youth, the 2006 Claret promises to define aging gracefully.

Seeing Stars

2005 Northstar Merlot This lot proves that wonderful things come in great big packages!

This grand Rehoboam of 2005 Northstar Merlot is a standout in every way. Combining Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and a touch of Petit Verdot from some of Walla Walla’s best vineyard sites, this is Northstar’s flagship wine. With bright cherry and leather flavors, good structure and a supple, lingering finish, it was rated 92 points by The Wine Advocate.

The etched and hand-painted bottle is as beautiful on the outside as is the wine inside.

Barnett Vineyards

Spring Mountain Surprise This big bottle of red—a 2006 Spring Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon—from Barnett Vineyards is opaque and deep purple in color with a palate as rich as the shade. Black currant, pepper and vanilla, as well as the classic Spring Mountain AVA black earth, are all in evidence from grapes grown at 2,000 feet. The wine is very young and cellaring time will be needed to allow it to reach its full potential over the next 12–15 years. This beautiful addition to any serious collection is signed by the winemaker.

139 silent lots

Opening Bid $300 Includes One 5-Liter Bottle Donor Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, Owner Northstar Winery Walla Walla, Washington

140 silent lots

Opening Bid $300 Includes One 3-Liter Bottle Donor Hal and Fiona Barnett, Owners Barnett Vineyards St. Helena, California

141 silent lots

Opening Bid $400 Includes Two 3-Liter Bottles Donor David and Carla Ramey, Proprietors Ramey Wine Cellars Healdsburg, California

142 silent lots

Opening Bid $250 Includes One 3-Liter Bottle Donor Craig and Kathryn Hall, Proprietors and Vintners HALL Wines St. Helena, California

Ramey Wine Cellars Big Bottles, Bold Taste

Tonight, take home two oversized bottles with oversized personalities from Ramey Wine Cellars. The highly rated 2008 Annum Cabernet Sauvignon is the third vintage of this blend, a “winemaker’s wine” of which only 440 cases were produced. Annum is an appellation wine, allowing the winemaker to select from a range of vineyards to make the best blend possible that vintage. It is offered here in Double Magnum in an etched bottle signed by David Ramey.

The second bottle, a Double Magnum of 2008 Hudson Vineyard Chardonnay, is also etched and signed by David Ramey. It is a wine praised by critics, connoisseurs and casual quaffers alike. The winemaker calls it a wine with a muscular, masculine, “broad-shouldered” character, very full yet well balanced. Resist the temptation to drink it early—it will only get better with age.

HALL Wines

Kathryn Hall Cabernet Sauvignon, 2008 Lest we bury the lead, this 2008 Kathryn Hall Cabernet Sauvignon was rated #2 of Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of 2011. Yes, #2!

All the critics agree: there is nothing not to like about this wine. This vintage of distinction can be yours tonight in a very special Double Magnum. Once uncorked, all the smells, tastes and sensations of HALL Wines will astound and delight. And it all starts with the land.

HALL’s six estate vineyards stretch from ancient riverbeds on the valley floor to sun-drenched hilltops, encompassing more than five hundred acres of classic Bordeaux varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc. The Kathryn Hall Cabernet Sauvignon is a best-of-barrels blend from HALL’s various vineyards, including the famous Sacrashe.

Tiny Bubbles

Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte Bubble, bubble, no toil, no trouble! This bottle is a party in the making.

The very special Jeroboam of Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte Brut demands attention with its light golden color and floral nose, subtly dominated by white fruit such as pear and apple but also with a hint of almond and hazelnut. This ambrosial Champagne draws its strong personality from exceptional vineyard sources. The abundance of delicate bubbles will sparkle and delight as you toast any important event in your life, even if the occasion is simply dinner with friends or family.

The Donum Estate

2008 Donum Carneros Estate Pinot Noir Tonight, take home this divine estate-grown Pinot Noir packed with aromatic toasty notes and plum and wild berry flavors. The wine begins its life at the Donum Ranch, located north of San Pablo Bay in the Carneros region. It is a selection of the most appealing barrels within each lot. The Donum Estate is both a place and a unique project. All three vineyards are farmed to provide superlative estate-grown fruit for its “ultimate Pinot Noir project.” Based on a Burgundian grand cru model, the program’s goal is to produce the finest Pinot Noir and Chardonnay possible. The featured Magnum of 2008 Pinot Noir showcases this passion and attention to detail and will drink well now through 2019.

143 silent lots

Opening Bid $150 Includes One 3-Liter Bottle Donor Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, Owner Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte Woodinville, Washington

144 silent lots

Opening Bid $100 Includes One 1.5-Liter Bottle Donor Anne Moller-Racke, President and Winegrower The Donum Estate Sonoma, California

145 silent lots

Opening Bid $50 Includes One 750ml Bottle Tour and Tasting for Eight Donor The Finkelstein Family, Proprietors Judd’s Hill Estate Napa, California

Judd’s Hill Estate 2003 Judd’s Hill Estate

Judd’s Hill Estate is a true family-owned vineyard and boutique winery in the Napa Valley. The winner of this lot can invite seven friends (eight people total) to join him or her for a beautiful day of beautiful wine. With more than 30 years of winemaking experience, Art Finkelstein and his wife, Bunnie, have produced legendary wines in the Napa Valley since the 1970s, when they created Whitehall Lane Winery. In 1989, Judd’s Hill Winery released its first wine, a Cabernet Sauvignon. Now, with son Judd and his wife, Holly, they continue to handcraft ultra-premium wines with their signature heartfelt and intimate style.

During this insiders’ tour, experience the charm of the vineyard and taste Judd’s Hill signature vintages, including new releases and some library favorites. A sunflower-lined drive leads to the property where the tasting room, production facilities and operations headquarters are housed under one sun-kissed building.

The winning bidder also goes home with a bottle of 2003 Judd’s Hill Estate at the time of the tasting. This is a wonderful example of the Finkelsteins’ philosophy of keeping the fruit as the star of the show.

The wine shows distinct flavors of cranberry, coffee and clove. The wood is more of a nuance than a major characteristic, which allows the intense hillside fruit to shine through. Soft tannins feel silky in the mouth and make this a superb complement to meals. The travelers may also want to take home some of the Finkelstein family’s famous barbecue sauce!

Tour date to be arranged at a mutually agreeable time.

146 silent lots

Opening Bid $200 Includes Six 750ml Bottles Donor Barbara Banke, Proprietor Champ de Rêves Philo, California

Champ de Rêves Dream a Little Dream

Tonight’s high bidder will dream easy when he or she takes home six bottles of 2010 Champ de Rêves Pinot Noir, signed by winemaker Eric Johannsen. Champ de Rêves translates into “field of dreams,” and the Boone Ridge Vineyard that fomented this beautiful wine is such a field: a veritable aerie, with stunning views of the valley below. They make only one wine at Champ de Rêves: Pinot Noir. It is their passion and their raison d'être.

The aromas and flavors of blueberry, red earth and nutmeg, with hints of violet, toffee and oolong tea, characterize this classy Pinot. Champ de Rêves’ calling card is its mouthfeel, which exhibits both a silky textural trait and a firm structure that's a testament to its high altitude origins.

Andrew Will Winery

2010 Champoux Vineyard Red You may need to find a friend to help you carry this giant etched Imperial of 2010 Champoux Vineyard Red home tonight. And don’t be surprised if that friend, and a few others, invite themselves over to “help” you drink it! This super-duper wine is a single-estate Bordeaux-style blend made up of 32 percent Cabernet Franc, 26 percent Cabernet Sauvignon and 42 percent Merlot. All of the fruit is from the Champoux Vineyard, considered to be one of the finest vineyards in Washington State.

Andrew Will Winery is part owner of this 175-acre vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA. Owner and winemaker Chris Camarda has been making Champoux Vineyard wines since the mid 1990s. This vintage has tremendous aging potential. According to wine guru Robert Parker, “Camarda’s wines blend power with elegance, concentration with finesse, and super sweet fruit with definition. He is a brilliant winemaker.”

Gemstone Vineyard

2006 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Inside a branded wooden box hides a jewel of a Magnum of 2006 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon that is spicy and suave on the nose, with opulent layers of flavors of white chocolate, anise, licorice and black fruits. Napa’s legendary Philippe Melka handcrafts the wines at Gemstone Vineyard, bringing his expertise to every bottle. Not available through traditional retail channels, the wines of Gemstone are quite limited and are sold only to members and the country’s great restaurants.

Tonight, a gem goes home with the high bidder. This sublime vintage will drink well through 2028.

147 silent lots

Opening Bid $300 Includes One 6-Liter Bottle Donor Chris Camarda, Owner and Winemaker Andrew Will Winery Vashon Island, Washington

148 silent lots

Opening Bid $200 Includes One 1.5-Liter Bottle Donor Michael and Carole Marks, Proprietors Gemstone Vineyard Yountville, California

149 silent lots

Opening Bid $250 Includes Six 750ml Bottles Donor Steve Smith, Wine and Viticulture Director Craggy Range Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand

Craggy Range

The Wisdom of “Sophia” Tonight, take home a vertical collection, 2005–2010, from the far side of the world with six sophisticated “Sophias” from the Gimblett Gravels Vineyard at Craggy Range. Blending the very best Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon parcels of the vineyard, this wine is always classy, always evocative and always richly textured.

Gimblett Gravels, stretching out across New Zealand’s North Island, is widely regarded to be among the very best vineyards for Bordeaux reds and Syrah in the country. In 1876, floods ravaged the island’s Hawke's Bay region, leaving behind land considered useless until visionary local vignerons saved the land for wine. Acres of this area evolved to become Craggy Range’s Gimblett Gravels Vineyard. The stylistic characters of red wines from the vineyard are richness, ripeness and elegance, with a distinctive fine dusty tannin finish they call Gimblett Dust.

Sophia means “wisdom,” and this aptly named wine is a nod to those who had the wisdom to see potential in what most saw as wasteland.

If you are wise, bid on this prized vertical!

150 silent lots

Opening Bid $400 Includes Three 1.5-Liter Bottles Donor Matt Dees, Winemaker JONATA Buellton, California

JONATA

Beauties from Buellton Extraordinary denseness . . . beautiful purity . . . impeccably made . . . astonishing elegance. These are the accolades inspired by JONATA wines. Located in scenic Buellton, California, JONATA is dedicated to expressing a range of red and a handful of white wines from its Ballard Canyon estate that’s all about sustainability.

Tonight’s high bidder will take home three JONATA gems in Magnum format, each of which was rated between 94 and 96 points by Robert Parker. The 2005 El Alma de Jonata Cabernet Franc was lauded as “a brilliant achievement that must be tasted to be believed.” The opaque, purple-hued 2005 El Desafio de Jonata “sets a new reference point for what Cabernet Sauvignon can achieve in Santa Ynez.” Finally, the 2005 La Sangre de Jonata was called a remarkable Syrah that will age beautifully for the next 10 to 15 years. Don’t miss out on this rare collection!

Hartford Family Winery 2007 Far Coast Pinot Noir

Bright red in color, this spunky Pinot Noir grew in Hartford Court’s Annapolis Vineyard in the Sonoma Coastal Mountain Range. The vines spread north of the Russian River, enjoying a priceless view of the Pacific. Vibrant black cherry, mineral, coffee and Asian spice aromas and flavors complement the fine grained, silky tannins of this vintage that reflects the cool, coastal ridge terroir. It should drink well for seven to ten years.

This special 2007 Double Magnum is made even more so as it is signed by winemaker Jeff Stewart.

Ridge Vineyards

2005 Monte Bello Cabernet Awarded a whopping 97 points by both The Wine Advocate and Wine & Spirits, this Imperial of Ridge Vineyards 2005 Monte Bello Cabernet is a force to be reckoned with. Situated in a climate approximating that of Bordeaux, the Ridge Vineyards grapes that comprise this wonderful wine embody the power of the nearby Pacific Ocean and the charm of the California coast. Dense purple in color, with a stupendous bouquet of spring flowers, blueberries, creme de cassis, black fruits and a hint of oak, this bottle is sure to be the crowning touch to one of life’s most important occasions.

Tonight’s high bidder will also take home a bottle of the striking 2008 Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon. Awarded 97-plus points by Robert Parker, this is a muscular wine, deep and rich, endowed with layers of dark fruit. With an anticipated maturity of 2018–2038, this wine holds the promise of great things to come.

151 silent lots

Opening Bid $150 Includes One 3-Liter Bottle Donor Don and Jennifer Hartford, Proprietors Hartford Family Winery Forestville, California

152 silent lots

Opening Bid $600 Includes One 6-Liter Bottle One 750ml Bottle Donor Paul Draper, CEO and Winemaker Ridge Vineyards Cupertino, California

153 silent lots

Opening Bid $500 Includes Two 3-Liter Bottles Two-Night Stay for Four Tour, Tasting and Dinner for Four Donor The King Family, Proprietors King Estate Winery Eugene, Oregon

Relax Like Royalty Tonight, two large format wines from King Estate Winery are yours for the taking. The Double Magnum of 2010 Signature Pinot Gris is the color of light straw, with emerald green highlights and green apple aromas. Flavors of pear, melon, lemon and lime, wet stone and honey combine with a nice texture, good weight and a long yet crisp and lively finish. Another equally grand Double Magnum of 2009 Signature Pinot Noir will be perfect for a very special dinner party. Deep garnet in color, it boasts flavors ranging from blackberry to cherry, cocoa to toasted marshmallow, and even a hint of menthol.

Let both wines set the stage for a visit to the beautiful terroir from which they came. Tonight’s high bidder and three friends (two couples) are invited to relax, explore, taste and savor King Estate, situated atop the rolling oak and fir covered slopes of the foothills near the southern end of Oregon’s Willamette Valley. It will be VIP all the way from the moment you arrive and settle into the Estate accommodations. Start your experience with a tour of the winery, accompanied by a comprehensive tasting. Appropriately refreshed and relaxed, you may then explore your surroundings, enjoying the magnificent grounds of the property that are home to organic orchards, vegetable gardens, olive trees and wildlife including cougar and black bear.

Dinner will be served at the King Estate Restaurant, where King Estate wines will be thoughtfully paired with Executive Chef Michael Landsberg’s handcrafted dishes featuring produce grown onsite. Spend the rest of your visit as you see fit—Oregon’s spectacular wine growing region awaits!

This trip is valid through July 2013 and reservations are subject to availability. Restaurant gratuity is not included. Some restrictions apply and transportation is not included.

154 silent lots

Opening Bid $300 Includes One 3-Liter Bottle Donor The Middleton Family, Owners Cadaretta Wines and Buried Cane Wines Walla Walla, Washington

Cadaretta Wines It’s a Family Affair

Cadaretta Wines are named for a ship that once carried the Middleton family’s timber from Washington State to market in California. Today, the family “wares” have transitioned from lumber to handcrafted, carefully cultivated wines, but the past always informs the future. Now ensconced in the Walla Walla Valley, the Middleton family’s boutique winery combines the family’s agricultural history with a unique style and flair.

Tonight’s high bidder will take home a fabulous etched Double Magnum of 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon. Elegant, balanced and deep ruby red in color, the Cabernet is replete with aromas of cherry, mountain berries, currants and dark chocolate truffle that give way to a broad spectrum of cherry, raspberry, dark plum and red currant with hints of bay leaf.

Bodega Riglos Argentina Awaits!

Tonight, a preview of wonderful things to come: 18 bottles—that’s a case and a half—from Bodega Riglos. Go ahead, uncork one, or a few, right away. The remainder will serve as a lasting memory of the Argentinean adventure. Six 2009 Riglos Gran Malbec, six 2008 Riglos Gran Cabernet Sauvignon and six 2008 Riglos Gran Corte comprise this generous lot. All the wines are rich, complex, jam-packed with flavor and highly reviewed.

A blazing sun, ideal altitude and a privileged soil; so begins the first chapter of Bodega Riglos's story. Under these textbook conditions the grapes of this Argentine vineyard acquire intense colors, complex aromas and unforgettable flavors. Man and nature work hand in hand at Riglos, ensuring the grapes get to the winery in perfect shape for processing.

After you've sampled some of your winnings, plan a trip to Argentina where the high bidder and three friends will see the majesty of the “Finca Las Divas” vineyards firsthand. Visit the estate, taste library wines with the Riglos team and get caught up in the romance and beauty of the surroundings. This is a fantastic opportunity to experience the best of Argentine wine in the shadow of the majestic Andes mountains.

155 silent lots

Opening Bid $400 Includes Eighteen 750ml Bottles Tour and Tasting for Four Donor Dario Werthein, President Bodega Riglos Mendoza, Argentina

Transportation and accommodations are not included. The tour and tasting is to be arranged for a mutually convenient date.

Mantanzas Creek Winery 2009 Chardonnay

Native grasses, delicate olive trees and a famed ocean of lavender all share the exquisite land of Mantanzas Creek Winery in Santa Rosa, California. If you close your eyes, you can almost smell it. The estate is a place where rustic country charm intersects with the refined excellence of the property’s complement of reds, whites and even dessert wines.

Be the high bidder and you will take home an intoxicating taste of this fragrant vineyard with a magnificent Magnum of the luxurious 2009 Chardonnay. It is made even more special as it is signed by winemaker Marcia Monahan.

Swirl, sniff, sip, satiate.

156 silent lots

Opening Bid $50 Includes One 1.5-Liter Bottle Donor Barbara Banke, Proprietor Matanzas Creek Winery Santa Rosa, California

157 silent lots

Opening Bid $500 Includes One 1.5-Liter Bottle Tour and Tasting for Four Dinner for Four One Cookbook Donor Steve and Linda Goldfarb, Proprietors Anomaly Vineyards St. Helena, Californian

Anomaly Vineyards

Accidental Vintners, Acclaimed Results In 1997, and Steve and Linda Goldfarb traded in their legal pads for crush pads, and Anomaly Vineyards was born on a plot of land with six rows of Cabernet vines. Located at the base of the Mayacamas Mountains in California’s Napa Valley, Anomaly is firmly rooted in the small historic town of St. Helena.

You will see the beautiful estate for yourself when you and three friends enjoy a private tour and tasting. The tasting will include the newest vintages and perhaps some library favorites. Then it is off to a delightful dinner with Steve and Linda at Thomas Keller’s award-winning ad hoc restaurant in Yountville. This memorable meal will convince you that ad hoc deserves the copious praise it has received. But as great as the meal and wine will be, the company will make the evening, as Steve and Linda provide a real insiders’ look at their life in vines.

A signed copy of the ad hoc cookbook and a Magnum of 2008 Anomaly Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon complete this lot. Wine Enthusiast called this vintage “an awesomely ripe and delicious Cabernet, dazzling with blackberry and cherry pie filling, cassis, anise, dark chocolate, sweet vanilla, toast, spice and even an earthy note of green olives . . . one of the best St. Helena Cabs of the vintage.”

Transportation is not included and the tour and dinner are to be arranged for a mutually convenient time.

158 silent lots

Opening Bid $250 Includes Twelve 750ml Bottles Donor The Blackburn Family, Owners Pietra Santa Winery Hollister, California

Pietra Santa Winery Mix It Up!

Fill your cellar with this wonderful mixed case from the Pietra Santa Winery. You will take home three each of the 2005 Signature Collection Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2005 Signature Collection Vache, the 2007 Signature Collection Chardonnay and the 2010 Signature Collection Pinot Grigio. With this lot, you will be prepared for many dinner parties to come, no matter the menu! The Signature Collection wines represent the very best of Pietra Santa’s estate and honor the legacy of Frenchman Theophile Vache, who founded the property in the 1850s. Vache chose the site because of the remarkable soils, high in limestone and shale due to its location on the San Andreas fault. These delectable wines are crafted from hand-chosen blocks and made with the finest care and attention.

Arrowood Vineyards & Winery The deep wrap-around porch at Arrowood Vineyards and Winery’s New England style farmhouse is a picture-perfect spot at which to sip Arrowood’s palate-perfect vintages. Sweeping views of the valley and Sonoma Mountain extend in all directions. You and five others (three couples) will experience this view firsthand during a two-night stay at the Winery’s lovely guesthouse. Enjoy the well-appointed rooms, swimming pool and pétanque court during your visit. A private tour and tasting will introduce you to, or enrich your understanding of, the charm of Arrowood’s property and the merits of its wines. For more than two decades, Arrowood Vineyards & Winery has symbolized what is unique about Sonoma. Its wines are fiercely individualist and impeccably balanced. You will see, and taste, the care and consideration that goes into each bottle.

Going home with the winner this weekend is a select Double Magnum of 2006 Arrowood Cabernet Sauvignon Réserve Spéciale; made even more “spéciale” as it bears the signature of esteemed winemaker Heidi von der Mehden. It is Arrowood’s signature wine, composed of its finest barrels and fruit from neighboring vineyards in Sonoma Valley. Lush, layered, and complex, it captures the character of the terroir.

159 silent lots

Opening Bid $1,000 Includes One 3-Liter Bottle Two-Night Stay for Six Tour and Tasting for Six Donor Barbara Banke, Proprietor Arrowood Vineyards & Winery Glen Ellen, California

The visit, tour and tasting are to be arranged at a mutually convenient time. Travel to and from Napa is not included.

Cellar Stuffer

2004 Amon-Ra Shiraz by Ben Glaetzer From the Land Down Under to the high bidder’s cellar go five bottles of 2004 Amon-Ra unfiltered Shiraz by Ben Glaetzer. Sure to enliven any gathering, this vintage garnered 94–96 points from Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate. Amon-Ra’s flagship cuvée, the 2004 Shiraz is produced from 100-year-old dry-farmed vineyards in the northern Ebenezer sector of the Barossa. Aged 16 months in French oak and American hogsheads, this larger-than-life, fascinating wine is full of colossal flavors offset by hints of smoke and licorice. It is full-bodied, rich and pure and should age effortlessly for 15 years or more.

160 silent lots

Opening Bid $200 Includes Five 750ml Bottles Donor Priscilla Panzer In Memory of Bill Panzer

161 silent lots

Opening Bid $500 Includes One 5-Liter Bottle Donor Tom and Anne-Marie Hedges, Owners Hedges Family Estate Benton City, Washington

162 silent lots

Opening Bid $100 Includes Two 3-Liter Bottles Donor Steve McCarthy, Owner Frenchman’s Gulch Winery Ketchum, Idaho

Hedges Family Estate

2010 Descendants Liégeois Dupont Red Mountain Syrah Hedges Family Estate considers itself the “guardian of Red Mountain.”

Situated in the eastern corner of the Yakima Valley in eastern Washington, the terroir sits at 1,410 feet and was first planted in 1975. The history of Hedges Family Estate begins in June of 1976, with the marriage of Washington’s Tom Hedges and France’s Anne-Marie Liégeois in a 12th century church in Champagne, France. The marriage also united two different wine legacies, providing a strong backdrop for creating modern, but traditionally inspired, wines. The 2010 Syrah is dark purple-black in color and intensely perfumed. It is defined by an extremely savory mouthfeel, with hints of dried herbs, bacon, cigar and black licorice and a full-bodied palate. This wine is highly structured for Syrah.

Due to the vibrancy of this young vineyard, the bright smoky complexity is worth discovering in its youth, but will also age well. It is yours this evening in a beautiful, etched Rehoboam format.

Frenchman’s Gulch Winery Locawine

Two 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Double Magnums from Frenchman’s Gulch Winery are a nifty way to experience a taste of your own private Idaho. Celebrating more than 25 years of winemaking, this small family-owned producer avoids mass production techniques, instead handcrafting its wine in time-honored fashion. The carefully selected grapes may come from Washington State (in this case the Phinny Hill Vineyard Minerva Block), but this lovely red has a decidedly local taste with vibrant, fruity aromas and velvety flavors brimming with ripe blackberry, black cherry and plum character. Provocative notes of vanilla linger on the fruity finish, inviting you to take another sip. And maybe just one more . . .

Reeves Ranch Vineyard Que Syrah, Syrah

High above Santa Barbara in the Santa Ynez Valley, Reeves Ranch Vineyard is a labor of love for owners Dan and Meghan Reeves. Their goal is to bring the vineyard to the bottle with as little intervention as possible. The high bidder and three friends (two couples) will experience the Reeves’ attention to detail during a three-night stay at the Vineyard’s 1911 farmhouse. During the Reeves respite, delight in a hosted luncheon and taste current vintages. Guests are also encouraged to visit the region’s quaint towns and spectacular surroundings. There is much to do and see, and the Reeves will offer their insiders’ picks.

Tonight, take home a taste of this special terroir in Magnum. The 2008 Reeves Ranch Syrah is a blend from the estate vineyard in Santa Ynez and the Black Oak vineyard in Los Alamos. The higher pH from Black Oak has the effect of softening the tannins of the wine.

Parry Cellars Napa in a Glass

This just may be the vertical to end all verticals! The very lucky winner of this lot takes home 20 bottles of Parry Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon from 1999 through 2008. In this rare offering, two of each vintage are included.

An additional Magnum of 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, signed by the Parrys themselves, will add to the merriment. Luscious fruit, impeccable balance and an intriguing finish are the hallmarks of Parry Cellars Cabernets. You will detect blackberry, red currant, blueberry, toasted oak, vanilla, cumin and coriander in these elegant bottles.

In order to truly appreciate these vintages, the high bidder and three others (four people total) will see where they began and indulge in a wine luncheon at Parry Cellars’ lovely estate amid awe-inspiring views of the Mayacamas Mountains. The proprietors will join the group for lively conversation and behind-the-scenes stories. Parry Cellars is Napa Valley’s smallest family-owned, single vineyard winery whose winemaker, Andy Schweiger, focuses on small production and high quality.

This package is valid through July 31, 2013 and must be scheduled on a date agreeable to all parties.

163 silent lots

Opening Bid $500 Includes One 1.5-Liter Bottle Three-Night Stay for Four Hosted Wine Lunch for Four Donor Dan and Meghan Reeves, Owners Reeves Ranch Vineyard Buellton, California

164 silent lots

Opening Bid $600 Includes One 1.5-Liter Bottle Twenty 750ml Bottles Lunch with Wine for Four Donor Stephen and Sue Parry, Proprietors Parry Cellars St. Helena, California

165 silent lots

Opening Bid $200 Includes One 1.5-Liter Bottle Tour, Tasting and Lunch for Eight Signed Photograph of Winery Donor Repris Sonoma, California

166 silent lots

Opening Bid $400 Includes Twenty-four 750ml Bottles Donor Priscilla Panzer In Memory of Bill Panzer

Caves, Picnics and a Singular View Repris

With a location 1,800 feet above the Sonoma Valley, Repris’ Moon Mountain estate enjoys breathtaking views. Getting there involves a long drive to an isolated and rugged area that is literally and figuratively distant from its more “everyday” winery cousins. Upon arrival at this hidden gem, you and seven others will enjoy a tour of the property’s famous natural caves and picturesque winery. When you have seen all there is to see, relax and drink in the scenery on the Overlook Deck while indulging in an artisan picnic lunch paired with Repris’ highly acclaimed vintages.

Moon Mountain Vineyard may only be visited by appointment, so this is sure to be an extremely personalized experience.

To preserve the memories of this magical day, this lot includes a signed photograph of the winery. Tonight’s high bidder also takes home a signed Magnum of the 2009 Repris Cabernet Sauvignon. Consider it research for your upcoming trip.

A French Fête, en Boîte Open these mixed cases and get the party started! This festive lot includes 24, yes, 24 bottles of France’s finest flavors. For starters, unpack three bottles of 2003 Domaine des Graves d’Ardonneau Premieres Côtes de Blaye. This red Bordeaux blend with a satiny, feminine presence is a refined wine to serve at a dinner party where you do not wish the wine to overwhelm the food. You will also enjoy three bottles of 2003 Réserve de la Comtesse Lalande, a wine Robert Parker called “a hedonistic sexpot of a Pauillac with loads of density, plenty of ripe fruit, and low acidity in an easy-to-drink, seductive style.” The next wines are no shrinking violets, either: two impressive bottles each of 2003 Domaine Les Pallières Gigondas, a red Rhône blend; and 2003 Domaine Saint-Marc Santenay Pinot Noir. In addition, you will delight in two bottles of 2002 La Soufrandière Pouilly-Vinzelles. This great white Burgundy wine is a full expression of a mature Chardonnay from the southern Mâconnais. Finally, nine bottles of the 2003 Domaine Hippolyte Reverdy Sancerre will help you finish stocking your cellar. This vintage has been called a mind-blowing Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire; the pinnacle of the grape. Hippolyte Reverdy is one of Sancerre’s top producers, always consistent, always elegant.

And because nothing says “fête” like bubbles, you'll also take home a bottle each of Champagne Ployez-Jacquemart, a Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé Brut Champagne and a bottle of Nicolas Feuillate Brut NV. Pop the cork, the party is on!

Stonestreet Winery A Monument to Fortitude

The 2007 Monument Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon from Stonestreet Winery is a dramatic vintage, boasting deep, intense blackberry, currant, blueberry and dried herb flavors. It is a full realization of its terroir at the juncture of the Russian River, Alexander Valley and Dry Creek Valley in northern Sonoma County. These six bottles are signed by the winemaker, Graham Weerts, who is oft-praised for being talented and tenacious enough to tackle the mountain real estate and coax world-class wines out of a demanding landscape. It should develop in complexity for at least a decade, probably longer.

A (Big) Taste of Toscana 2010 Banfi Col di Sasso

These great big reds deliver a taste as colossal as the bottles they come in, and those bottles are gigantic! Tonight’s high bidder may need a hand in carrying away these two 5-liter bottles of 2010 Banfi Col di Sasso, but it will certainly be worth the effort. Ruby red, with purple hues and black cherry and spice aromas, this wine drinks just beautifully. The taste is surprisingly rich and soft, yet it delivers persistent black-fruit flavors and subtle hints of smoke with a lingering finish.

“Col di Sasso” translates to “Stony Hill,” a nod to the land where the Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese grapes blended into this wine are cultivated. Vines grow in the hillside in the southern part of Tuscany, imparting a enticing taste of Italy to every bottle. The Cabernet contributes bold flavor and body, while the Sangiovese grapes add zesty fruit and structure. Col di Sasso is a youthful red to be enjoyed with anything from pizza or pasta to grilled meat and poultry. Salute!

167 silent lots

Opening Bid $200 Includes Six 750ml Bottles Donor Barbara Banke, Proprietor Stonestreet Winery Healdsburg, California

168 silent lots

Opening Bid $300 Includes Two 5-Liter Bottles Donor Joe Gennaro