Napa auction scene shake-up
Collectors and fans of Napa wines may benefit from a new series of year-round events in California and beyond set to replace the popular, glitzy Auction Napa Valley.
The new Collective Napa Valley programme will retain the philanthropy focus established by Auction Napa Valley over the past 40 years. Fundraising events will include private winery dinners, virtual education classes and ‘special wine offerings’, as well as in-person gatherings, according to Napa Valley Vintners. It said the first gathering would be 1-5 June 2022.
‘Our vision with Collective Napa Valley is to expand our wine community and to provide a variety of ways throughout the year to engage Napa Valley wine consumers in our backyard and anywhere in the world,’ said Blakesley Chappellet, co-leader of the Auction Napa Valley reimagining committee.
The news followed this year’s Premiere Napa Valley auction, which was hosted in early June by Zachys and raised $2.7m.
Top lot was a 60-bottle collection of Shafer Vineyards’ Sunspot Cabernet Sauvignon 2019, sold to UK retailer Harrods for $110,000. In other highlights, a 240-bottle cache of wines created by winemakers Rosemary Cakebread, Cathy Corison, Dawnine Dyer and Diana Snowden Seysses fetched $65,000.
Only trade members can bid in the annual sale, which features bespoke lots. Wines are then sold to collectors at a later date. Napa Valley Vintners will host a release week 8-14 November 2021. Premiere Napa Valley will return to its regular February slot from 2022.