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Throughout the history of Washington wine, the Figgins family has been known for producing wines that have proven themselves on the world’s stage. They founded Leonetti Cellar in 1977, one of the most venerated wineries in the Walla Walla Valley. Of course, the family also produces wine under their family name, FIGGINS, and they have recently launched a new Pinot Noir project called Toil Oregon. Their wines consistently sell out upon release, and as the lucky winner of this package, you will take home some of the Figgins family’s finest work to date―three hand-painted and etched 9-liter bottles to add to your collection.
First, from Leonetti Cellar, one gorgeous Salmanazar of 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon and one of 2012 Merlot. Second, an offering of something new with old-world traditions, a third Salmanazar of FIGGINS 2010 Estate Red Wine, truly a work of art. This is the third vintage from FIGGINS―a wine born from a vision to transform a phenomenal vineyard location into a single-site, estate-grown, Bordeaux varietal blend that complements the wines Chris Figgins crafts at Leonetti.
And, wouldn’t you know it…this lot just keeps getting better and better. Also included in this fabulous package is a spot on the famed Leonetti Cellar Mailing List, bypassing a four-year wait. A spot on the closed “List” is highly coveted and allows the winning bidder an opportunity to purchase an annual allocation from Leonetti, something only a few lucky souls can do. Get your paddle ready; this one’s gonna go fast!
OPENING BID
$3,000
INCLUDES
Three Specialty 9-Liter Bottles
One Spot on Leonetti Mailing List
DONOR
Figgins Family Wine Estates
Walla Walla, Washington
King Estate is ready to roll out the red carpet for you. This is a world-class package for a world-class trip to a world-class winery. Two couples will embark on an exploration of Oregon’s organic viticulture, receiving VIP treatment at every stop along the way. Arrive at the King Estate’s venerable headquarters near Eugene, Oregon, and feel instantly transported…the majestic winery reflects the architectural tradition of a French chateau. King Estate has one of the largest contiguous organic vineyards in the world and also features organic apple, pear and plum orchards, lush vegetable and fruit gardens, a wine bar and gourmet restaurant, and state-of-the-art winemaking facilities.
Your group will travel in style immediately after you arrive at the airport. A private shuttle will scoop you up and bring you to your home base for three nights―the luxurious King Estate guesthouse―where you can relax and unwind while you plan your next activities. You will spend part of your first day enjoying an à la carte lunch at the winery’s renowned restaurant before a VIP tour of the expansive property and a signature wine tasting with King Estate’s friendly and knowledgeable winemaker. Return to the guesthouse for a one-of-a-kind dinner party prepared by Executive Chef Benjamin Nadolny. You will go to sleep dreaming about the fine wines and delectable flavors of the evening.
But save some energy for the next day, when you will be escorted on an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the estate’s organic garden and charcuterie kitchen. Surely this will give you an appetite, which you can satisfy with a gourmet Summit-on-the Hill lunch. After another leisurely afternoon, cap off your visit with a grand finale wine paring dinner at the King Estate Restaurant, where the chefs will delight you by creating a meal sourced primarily from their 30-plus acres of organic gardens and orchards. You will taste the true bounty of the season in both food and wine.
And tonight, each couple takes home a case of library wines from King Estate. This is no small prize…King Estate wines consistently score in the 90-point range. You can consider this a score for your own cellar.
OPENING BID
$5,000
INCLUDES
Three-Night Stay for Four
Airport Shuttle for Four
Tour and Tasting for Four
Two Dinners for Four
Two Lunches for Four
Twenty-Four 750ml Bottles
DONOR
King Estate Winery
Eugene, Oregon
Take a bite out of the Big Apple with this one-of-a-kind package, sampling some of New York City’s finest culture and cuisine. Two couples will spend three nights in a deluxe apartment in trendy Tribeca, the perfect home base for exploring the best that the city has to offer.
Of course, you might want to take in a show while you’re there, and you won’t be disappointed. Included in your urban adventure are four tickets to Broadway’s hottest Tony Award-winning musical with Alan Cummings and Michelle Williams, Cabaret (or a show of your choice).
And let’s not forget about the dining. After the show, enjoy a lavish dinner at Buddakan New York, a hip downtown mecca for modern Asian cuisine where the menu features fanciful and innovative interpretations of Chinese dishes and is sure to delight. You will also need to save your energy and appetite for the next night, when Justin Smillie, the chef at one of our very own Vintner Dinners this year, will treat you to a very special dinner at his brand new restaurant…so new that it doesn’t even have a name yet. Justin, most recently the executive chef at il Buco Alimentari e Vineria and James Beard semi-finalist for Best Chef in NYC this year, will awe you with his creative culinary talents and bold flavor combinations. Certainly, it will be a night to remember.
Are you ready to take Manhattan by storm?
OPENING BID
$6,000
INCLUDES
Three-Night Stay for Four
Broadway Tickets for Four
Two Dinners for Four
DONORS
Barbara & John Lehman
Chef Justin Smillie
Kevin Steussi
Starr Restaurants
Buddakan New York
Founded in 1984, Harlan Estate is a winegrowing estate in the western hills of Oakville, California, in the heart of the Napa Valley. Perched on a lush hillside at the edge of the forest, Harlan Estate has been producing outstanding 100-point wines for decades and perhaps the setting has a lot to do with that. The proprietor, H. William Harlan, seems to think so, saying, “I think that much of the character of the wine comes from the fact that the vineyards are carved from―and next to― these wild lands, this forest, and these woodlands. It’s a good metaphor for life, as well as for our winegrowing philosophy.”
Tonight, if you haven’t yet been lucky enough to experience Harlan Estate’s Bordeaux-style blends, you can see for yourself just how good they are, and if that theory holds any truth. According to Robert M. Parker, Jr., “Harlan Estate might be the single most profound red wine made not just in California, but in the world.” With its limited availability wines and long waiting lists, it has even been described as “the ultimate cult winery.”
Maybe you can figure out the secret yourself on a VIP tour and tasting with seven others in the hills of Oakville at Harlan Estate. At the very least, you will never forget the experience of tasting these phenomenal wines that Robert M. Parker, Jr. has described as “possess[ing] all the elements of greatness―individuality, power combined with elegance, extraordinary complexity, remarkable aging potential, and compelling richness without ponderousness.” A magnum of the hard-to-find Harlan Estate Napa Valley Red will find its way home with you tonight as well, an item to be cherished and savored.
OPENING BID
$3,000
INCLUDES
VIP Tour and Tasting for Eight
One 1.5-Liter Bottle
DONOR
Harlan Estate
Oakville, California
Here’s the perfect formula for a summer evening in Sun Valley…a cool breeze, relaxing on the patio, dining on mouthwatering cuisine, sampling unforgettable wines, all while taking in the stunning views of Bald Mountain in the background as the sun sets slowly in the distance. Tonight’s winning bidder will enjoy this exact experience at an intimate dinner for ten on the terrace of one of the classic cottages at Sun Valley Resort. This is what it means to wine and dine in true style.
Sun Valley’s award-winning chef, John Murcko, will be at the helm for this extraordinary event, creating a magnificent multi-course meal for your group with his innovative approach to modern American cuisine. And the wine? Oh, my. With help from a local sommelier, he will pair each course with a selection of gems from the rich depths of the resort’s wine cellars. You will have the rare opportunity to taste hard-to-find wines from around the world, some of the best that Sun Valley has to offer, including a 1989 Chateau Latour, “so decadent and exciting on the nose…ultrapolished,” and a 1988 Chateau Haut Brion, “a beautiful and complete wine…long and complex.” (Wine Spectator)
We all know what a magical place Sun Valley is…and a night like this just puts it over the top.
This dinner is sold for $1,500 per person, for a maximum of 10 people. The dinner will be planned for a mutually agreeable date based on chef and cottage availability.
OPENING BID
$1,500 / per person
INCLUDES
Private Dinner and Wine for Ten
DONOR
Sun Valley Company
Sun Valley, Idaho
Are you ready for an exquisite Oregon wine experience? Two of the state’s premier wineries have come together to offer the ultimate oenological adventure. First, come to Domaine Serene, a little slice of paradise in the hills of the Willamette Valley. Experience the pastoral tranquility of Oregon’s wine country from the wonderful luxuries of Domaine Serene’s Winery Hill House retreat. Two couples will relax for a three-night stay in this private hideaway. The beautifully-appointed “home away from home” is the perfect place to start your adventures and the ideal sanctuary at the end of a memorable day among the vines. With picturesque views from every vantage and the heart of the valley at your fingertips, you will experience the unique and unspoiled region in grand style. Also included are a bottle each of Domaine Serene Chardonnay and Pinot Noir for each couple to enjoy during the stay as well as a VIP tasting and tour of the winery grounds.
Not far away is Sokol Blosser, one of the pioneering wineries of the region and a key player in the development of the now-prominent Oregon wine industry. The winery is still family owned and operated, with the second generation now at the helm: siblings Alex and Alison Sokol Blosser. These two wunderkinder and their crew are masters of the craft, and they will host you for a splendid day of touring and tasting at the winery.
During your stay, you will also be treated to some of the region’s finest cuisine, with two special dinners at Newberg’s best establishments. First, spend an evening at Recipe, one of Oregon’s premier artisan focused restaurants, known for its thoughtfully prepared wine country cuisine showcasing a seasonally adapted menu. Located in the charm of an old restored Victorian house, Recipe offers a warm and inviting dining experience reminiscent of the home dining room. The next night, let yourselves be pampered by the chef and staff at The Painted Lady. Chef Allen Routt enjoys bringing his varied influences to traditional American dishes using contemporary techniques to lighten them for today’s modern, refined palate. The Painted Lady is more than a restaurant; it’s an experience to remember. And this is a trip that you will never forget.
OPENING BID
$3,000
INCLUDES
Two Tours and Tastings for Four
Three-Night Stay for Four
Two Dinners for Four
Four 750ml Bottles
Twelve 750ml Bottles
DONORS
Domaine Serene
Vineyards & Winery
Dayton, Oregon
Sokol Blosser Winery
Dayton, Oregon
HALL Wines is crafting some of the best Cabernets in the Napa Valley, but we think you should visit the winery and find that out for yourself. The temptation begins tonight with three Double Magnums of HALL’s 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon, yours for the taking as the winner of this extraordinary auction lot.
Embark on a journey down to the source of this excellence where your group of six will spend two nights at the Senza Hotel, a picturesque boutique property near Yountville. The secluded and luxurious inn has been completely remodeled and showcases all of the beauty of Napa Valley wine country in a tranquil retreat on two lush acres of oaks, redwoods and serene gardens.
Begin your excursion with an art tour and tasting at the HALL St. Helena winery. The redesigned visitor center and tasting room will welcome you with warmth and elegance, where you can sample the portfolio of HALL wines, relax in arbor-covered courtyards and take in the original works of modern art and sculptures from the Halls’ personal collection. Avid lifelong collectors, Craig and Kathryn Hall invite you to enjoy expressive art and world-class wines that will inspire the senses and please the palate.
In the evening, HALL St. Helena will host you for a unique interactive wine and food pairing dinner, the perfect preparation for the next day, when you will have the chance to explore the HALL Rutherford winery amid the legendary Sacrashe vineyard. You will enjoy a second tasting of HALL’s most celebrated wines along with an intimate tour through the property and 14,000 square feet of caves. Before leaving the valley, you must stop for a tour and tasting at WALT Wines in Sonoma. The WALT tasting room, steeped in Sonoma history and charm, combines the warmth of a home with the inspiration of an art gallery. Your glasses are waiting…
OPENING BID
$2,500
INCLUDES
Two-Night Stay for Six
Dinner and Wine for Six
Three Tours and Tastings for Six
Three 3-Liter Bottles
DONOR
HALL Wines
St. Helena, California
Schramsberg Vineyards sure knows how to get a party started! And as one of the staunchest supporters of the Wine Auction, Schramsberg will have the honor of kicking things off this year by opening one of their giant bottles of 2008 Blanc de Blancs bubbly for you to enjoy right away. Start things off right and celebrate with the finest in champagne!
At the end of the evening, you will take home a second Salmanazar of 2008 Blanc de Blancs as well as three award-winning Magnums of Schramsberg’s top-shelf selections―an elegant 2006 J. Schram, a full-bodied 2005 Reserve and a limited allocation estate-grown 2010 J. Davies Cabernet from Diamond Mountain.
The winner of this opening lot will also have the chance to visit the vineyard in person, to see artistry at work and sample the goods at their source with a special tour and tasting for four at “America’s House of Sparkling Wine.”
OPENING BID
$1,500
INCLUDES
Two 9-Liter Bottles
Three 1.5-Liter Bottles
Tour and Tasting for Four
DONOR
Hugh Davies, Owner
Schramsberg Vineyards
Calistoga, California