2003 Napa Valley Wine Auction
6/5/03 throough 6/8/03

Copa De Napa! Last of the Red Hot Nightclubs!

Unfortunately I am not able to go this year because my youngest son in graduating from UCSB that weekend.

Here is a list of the events that you get to choose from:

Thursday night events

Friday lunch events

What would be your top choices besides the obvious ones?

The obvious ones being
Thursday dinner at Colgin and
Friday lunch at Harlan

The other fun thing to do is to see how many places the same chef is featured - and to guess where s/he is really going to be!

Just got the invite as well - cant go this year though.

I was going to sign up, then realized that I would have the same problem - graduation week.

I was thinking of signing up for the full pass for a couple and friday night dinner. They don't tell you what the cost is and you have to give them your credit card information first. I guess if you have to ask, you can't afford it. Does anyone know what the cost is?

$2500 for a couple.

David,

look at the signup sheet (printed on both sides). there are several options, although I think the full package is the only way to go. If it is not sold out, it will be shortly, so move quickly.

\bob

Thanks. Good to know. That's about what we spend for a week in Europe (when I piggyback it to a meeting).

yes, but then you have to drink all that european stuff. Hmm, maybe that's not such a bad idea . . .

Actually, the reason that most people come is that they get a fair amount of time to interact with vintners and winemakers. Many friendships are made that carry on well after the event. Of course, there are those who go for the exposure of being a big bidder, but that is actually a very small percent. In fact, if you add up all the food, wine and entertainment, it is not way out of line (note, I am not trying to claim that it isn’t expensive). The wineries really do go all out to make it a great event for the attendees (mostly on their own nickel, too). And, of course, without the health care that the auction supports, Napa would never get the capable work force that it has.

Dinner on Thursday at a winery. These are parties for 10 to 50 people and the wineries go all out. Always catered by top chefs.

Lunch at a winery on Friday afternoon. Picnics for 10 to 50 people catered by top chefs. Want a picnic lunch with Thomas Keller. Last year our picnic at Vineyard 29 was catered by Joel Gott.

Big fancy wine dinner for 2000 people under a big tent at Meadowood. Every table has a winemaker assigned to it. Last year the chef was what's his name from La Cirque. A great party.

Saturday lunch: Literally hundreds of food stands on the 9th hole at Meadowood all offering morsels from ALL the best restaurants in the Valley.

And for dinner that night is a huge scrumptious BBQ buffet on the lawn at Meadowood.

Sunday afternoon choose a party from a list of several wineries. Hit one or hit them all. You can't get in without your badge. Last year we went to ZD. The family members were having a "cook off". We tasted and were lobbied by each member of the family to vote for their "creaation". All were great.

All of the above for the four days and more free wine that you can shake a stick at. The waiters in the tents carry around these little six packs of bottles, usually all different, from table to table the whole time. Trick is to go find the persons with the HSS or something and get them to leave a bottle at your table, or in your pocket, or something. They'll do it.

Is it a bargain? Probably no but maybe yes. Is it worth it? Yes! I wouldn't ever miss it! (Except this year my son is graduating from college on that Saturday. Bummer!)

Thanks for the details. It does sound wonderful and the ultimate Napa Valley wine/food experience. I think my son's gratuation is the weekend after.

Is there some kind of pecking order (e.g. people who have been doing this longer get preferential treatment to the events they select)? That is only fair, but I was curious what a first timer ends up with.

GATC,

There is a 'published' algorithm for picking who gets to go to which events, but none of us believe it is used 100% of the time. Basically, the top 10 bidders from the previous year get what ever they want (unless they are travelling with a large party which may constrain which event they get). After that, there is a large group of people who have bought things over the past few years, then the people who never buy or are new. Within each group it is suposed to be ordered by when you get your reservation in to them. At this point, if I was just signing up, I'd probably call and ask which events are still open.

At the friday night dinner, tables are hosted by vintners, and I believe that they try to give good tables to those who didn't get their choice of events.

Bressler, thanks. This is very helpful. I guess the thing to do is to get in at some point and bid like crazy to move up the list.

GATC,

The big "problem"... bidding like crazy is difficult because most of the lots go well into six fugures

what david says is true for the live auction. however, there is also a private donor section (ave lot 500-1000) and a barrel auction where you get a case of the wine on release (frequently a special blend just for the auction).