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For those of you who dream about perfecting your golf swing or finding the perfect putter, this lot is right up your alley. Two of you will fly to Edinburgh, Scotland, and spend a week at the venerable St. Andrews golf course (the birthplace of golf) in style, at the Fairmont St. Andrews hotel, a premier destination located on a 520-acre estate with a unique coastal setting. This is the perfect place to turn any holiday into a treasured memory. From lavish rooms to a luxurious spa, worldclass golf to exquisite dining, the five-star attention to detail is unsurpassed. Enjoy complimentary breakfast each day as you gaze out at the spectacular views overlooking the medieval St. Andrews village and the North Sea.
All of the hotel’s luxury guestrooms are spacious and well-proportioned with thoughtful Scottish touches. The sumptuous Signature Spa offers a range of treatments including locally-themed massage, facial and relaxation therapies in chic treatment rooms. The spacious swimming pool, sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi and relaxation room complete the experience, helping you to relax and unwind.
But of course, golf is the focus here. And golf courses in Scotland are among the best in the world and have reached almost mythical status. Fairmont St. Andrews, situated in the “Home of Golf,” has been recognized as one of the top golf resorts, voted 18th in “The World’s Top Golf Resorts” by Condé Nast Traveler reader’s poll and ranked number 22 in “The World’s Best Golf Hotels” by Golf Digest. With two superb championship golf courses, The Torrance and The Kittocks, you can elevate your game just by stepping on the grass. And to help you do just that, take advantage of a $900 gift card toward golf at the resort; you can play 36 magnificent holes along the coast, two rounds of golf that you will never forget.
This is a golfer’s dream come true…time to tee off.
OPENING BID
$8,000
INCLUDES
Round Trip Airfare for Two
Six-Night Stay for Two (breakfast included)
$900 Golf Gift Card
DONOR
Sun Valley Center for the Arts
In celebration of the 21st year of this beloved Wine Auction lot, Sharon Pyle of Atkinsons’ Market has collaborated with photographer Jason Thompson, from Bozeman, Montana, and Fresh Northwest Design of Gig Harbor, Washington, to create a special collection of wine. Jason’s expansive time-lapse image of Baldy and the Wood River Valley lit up at night will be etched onto seven Imperial-sized bottles of specially created wines from seven renowned Washington State wineries. You will also bring home an original print of the photograph on metal to grace your walls.
And, as we all know, Sun Valley is a gateway to all kinds of adventure. To that end, included in this lot is your very own outdoor adventure package. Tyler Jones, a local IFMGA certified guide, and photographer Jason Thompson are geared up and ready to take you and a friend on an amazing wilderness escapade of your choosing. Photo insets on each bottle display the types of adventure you can select—rock climbing, hiking, ice climbing, backcountry skiing and more! Test your limits and come back with documented proof of your journey.
This year’s lot includes the following spectacular award-winning wines:
• Col Solare Red Mountain Red Wine, 2012
• Côte Bonneville Yakima Valley Red Wine, 2011
• L’Ecole N⁰ 41Walla Walla Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, 2012
• Leonetti Cellar Walla Walla Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, 2011
• Quilceda Creek Winery Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, 2012
• Va Piano Vineyards Walla Walla Valley Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, 2012
• Woodward Canyon Walla Walla Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, 2012
Sun Valley Center for the Arts holds a special place in the hearts of the owners and staff of Atkinsons’ Market. This meeting of the minds results in a perfect way to celebrate the arts, the outdoors and the wines of the Walla Walla, Columbia and Yakima Valleys.
Location and date of adventure to be mutually agreeable for all parties
OPENING BID
$6,000
INCLUDES
Seven 6-Liter Bottles
Private Certified Guide and Photographer for a Day for Two
Original Photo Print
DONORS
Tom & Sharon Pyle, Atkinsons’ Market
Fresh Northwest Design
Jason Thompson
Tyler Jones
Col Solare
Côte Bonneville DuBrul Vineyards
L’Ecole N⁰ 41
Leonetti Cellar
Quilceda Creek Winery
Va Piano Vineyards
Woodward Canyon Winery
Ram’s Gate co-owners Jeff O’Neill and Michael John developed an ambitious vision for their winery: to reflect the terroirs of Sonoma and Carneros in the finest possible wines, and to provide an unparalleled setting in which to enjoy them. This inspiring setting—a modern interpretation of the weathered farmsteads of old Carneros— was designed by famed architect Howard Backen. Complemented by accent colors, eclectic furniture and bespoke pieces selected by visionary interior designer Orlando Diaz-Azcuy, the result is an ambiance truly unique to Ram’s Gate. And for one unparalleled evening, the entire winery is exclusively yours.
Begin by checking in to your king suite at Cavallo Point, The Lodge at Golden Gate in charming Sausalito before being whisked a short 20 minutes north to Ram’s Gate Winery in one of the newest additions to the Cavallo Point fleet: a Lexus LS460 or Lexus LS470. And don’t forget, a Ram’s Gate Winery concierge is also available to assist in planning any tours and other wine country activities for your visit.
At Ram’s Gate, your evening starts with a private tour and barrel tasting led by winemaker Jeff Gaffner. Next, enjoy five courses of Ram’s Gate’s finest single-vineyard, handcrafted wines, each paired with a dish designed by Executive Chef Taylr Behnam specifically to bring out the best in its corresponding wine. When the time comes to retire for the evening, you’ll be chauffeured back to Cavallo Point to enjoy the innumerable amenities provided by the winner of National Geographic’s World Legacy Awards for “Sense of Place.ˮ The resort is indeed beyond comparison. Set at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge with sweeping views of San Francisco Bay, Cavallo Point’s contemporary rooms and suites combine environmental sensitivity with modern style—each with a private entrance and cozy fireplace.
For a finishing touch on your wine-inspired weekend, each couple will take home a Magnum of 2012 Ram’s Gate Estate Pinot Noir, rated 96 points by Connoisseur’s Guide to California Wine. There is “nothing less than a full and balanced wine on the palate,” the reviewer describes, “with lively and quite refined, varietally focused suggestions of raspberries, cherries and oak all aligned and continuous from front to back.” Let it all linger.
Experience to be scheduled on mutually agreeable dates for all parties
OPENING BID
$8,000
INCLUDES
One-Night Stay for Six
Three 1.5-Liter Bottles
Private Tour and Tasting for Six
Dinner and Wine for Six
Private Concierge Services
Private Ground Transportation for Six
DONOR
Ram’s Gate Winery
Absolute Travel is proud to contribute an extraordinary adventure for tonight’s Wine Auction Gala—an unforgettable trip to the pristine landscapes and winelands of New Zealand. This private luxury journey offers an opportunity to explore New Zealand’s sophistication and beauty while tasting some of the best wines and cuisine in the world.
This trip for two starts off with two nights in Auckland and a visit to the unique and emerging niche wine region on Waiheke Island, a short ferry trip from Auckland, where you will enjoy an afternoon of complimentary tours and wine tasting. Your lodging, in a suite at Mollie’s Boutique Hotel, is a true indulgence. Overlooking the sparkling waterfront on one side and elegant heritage homes on the other, the boutique hotel offers the best scenery in Auckland.
Continue to the southwest coastline for two nights at a working sheep station and cattle farm stunningly set on a sweeping shoreline a short distance from Martinborough, where New Zealand’s top Pinots are emerging and you can tour and taste some of the region’s finest. You will stay at Wharekauhau, which has the added bonus of being part of the renowned Foley Family Wines and offers exclusive access to their top vintages, including wines from the local Te Kairanga vineyard. You will be guided on an exclusive farm tour and dine on stunningly fresh fare largely sourced directly from the farm, masterfully prepared by Executive Chef Marc Soper, a self-professed food forager with experience honed at renowned restaurants including French Laundry in Napa.
From the North Island you will hop down to the adventure capital of the world, Queenstown, set at the foot of New Zealand’s Southern Alps on Lake Wakatipu. There you will delight in two nights at the Millbrook Resort, in the heart of the Central Otago wine region. Surrounded by the lush green landscape of the Southern Alps and the Remarkables Mountain Range, Millbrook Resort is a destination in and of itself. Offering private championship golf courses and luxurious spa treatments, Millbrook is a tranquil heaven. From here you will continue with another afternoon of touring and tastings in nearby Gibbston, also known as the “Valley of the Vines,” and one of the most scenic wine growing areas you’ll ever encounter. Millbook’s five iconic restaurants, each offering different cuisine composed of locally-sourced fresh ingredients, are lauded as some of New Zealand’s best. Are you ready for some adventure?
Offer valid through July 24, 2016. Based on double occupancy. All services subject to availability at the time of booking, which must be made at least 90 days prior to departure. Blackout period applies from December 10, 2015 – January 15, 2016*. This item is non-transferable but you can add additional passengers or extra days and services for an additional cost. *See hotel restrictions for added date exclusions
OPENING BID
$12,000
INCLUDES
Three Two-Night Stays for Two
Two Tours for Two
Three Tastings for Two
Private Concierge Service
Private Ground Transportation
DONOR
Absolute Travel
There’s a little bit of everything for the winner of this lot, which is chock full of goodness—starting with, of course, fabulous wine. First, the lucky bidder will take home a horizontal collection of hand-etched, 3-liter bottles of 2012 Illustration, 2012 Paramour and 2012 Contrarian Proprietary Red Wines from Blackbird Vineyards, Napa Valley, signed by the winemaker, Aaron Pott. Aaron was named as a Food & Wine magazine “Winemaker of the Year” in 2012 and these bottles add star power to any collection.
Second, the “Portfolio Road Show,” hosted by Blackbird president Paul Leary, will come to you— your home, a favorite venue, an acclaimed restaurant or your private club. The choice is yours. Paul will pour a customized selection of limited-production wines for 30 of your closest friends, family and colleagues to sample and savor.
Finally, four people will enjoy a privately hosted wine tasting experience in an intimate setting at Blackbird Vineyards. The vineyards are located in the heart of Napa Valley in the Oak Knoll district. See what we mean? Life is good.
OPENING BID
$5,000
INCLUDES
Three 3-Liter Bottles
Private In-Home Tasting for Thirty
Private Tour and Tasting for Four
DONOR
Paul Leary, Blackbird Vineyards
Founded in 1984, Harlan Estate is a winegrowing estate in the western hills of Oakville, California, in the heart of the Napa Valley. Harlan averages only 1,800 cases annually and its wines consistently receive scores close to 100, hence their cult status.
The Cabernet Sauvignon wines of BOND vividly demonstrate the range of Napa Valley’s finest terroirs. Over the past quarter century, BOND identified five small, hillside vineyards that had the potential to define the “Grand Crus” of Napa Valley and they represent a shared commitment to produce only the best expression of the land.
Tonight, for your bidding pleasure, we present you with a horizontal terroir portfolio of 2009 BOND Magnums from its five Grand Cru vineyards as well as a Magnum of the 2009 Harlan Estate Proprietary Red Wine. These are the true thoroughbreds of wine, rare and hard-to-find bottles that will be the crown jewels of any cellar. As Robert M. Parker, Jr. says, “Harlan Estate might be the single most profound red wine made not just in California, but in the world.” Now you will know why reviews from The Wine Advocate are impressive…
“The estate’s 2009 Proprietary Blend Melbury presents an intriguing combination of pure sensuality…backed up by serious tannins. In 2009, the Melbury is dazzling.”
(94 points)
“The 2009 Proprietary Blend St. Eden is simply stunning. A voluptuous, beautifully balanced Cabernet Sauvignon…ultimately the St. Eden is first and foremost a wine of textural brilliance and spherical palate presence.”
(97 points)
“The 2009 Proprietary Blend Pluribus boasts stunning concentration, depth and power…a dark, sumptuous Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2009 is as refined as it gets.”
(97 points)
“The 2009 Vecina is all about linear power and structure. Endowed with tremendous length and persistence, the Vecina presents endless layers of dark fruit and expressive aromatics supported by considerable tension and energy.”
(98+ points)
And as if these wines weren’t tempting enough, the lucky winner is also invited for a VIP tour and tasting for eight people in the gorgeous rolling hills of Oakville at BOND Estates. Aren’t you feeling lucky?
Monday through Friday only, date to be mutually agreed upon.
OPENING BID
$4,000
INCLUDES
Private Tour and Tasting for Eight
Six 1.5-Liter Bottles
DONORS
BOND Estates & Harlan Estate
Leave Sun Valley by private plane and land in Napa to start off this rollicking three-day Russian River adventure. Gather at Kosta Browne’s headquarters in Sebastopol to enjoy a private tour of the brand-new winery and a barrel tasting. Afterwards, a Sonoma County celebrity chef will serve you a multi-course gourmet meal, paired with exclusive Kosta Browne library wines, not available for sale. Top off the day with a leisurely stroll through the majestic redwoods.
Your nights will be spent in the comfort of the Vintners Inn, an intimate, four-diamond, luxury hotel conveniently located in the heart of Sonoma County’s famous wine country. Surrounded by the scenic Northern California landscape, 92 acres of lush vineyards and beautifully landscaped grounds, your deluxe guest room will be an elegant retreat.
The next day will be one you will not soon forget. Halleck Vineyard will host a “Safari Lunch” on a remote Tomales Bay beach in the Point Reyes National Seashore, only accessible by water. You will reach your destination via a guided sea kayaking tour of the pristine waters over the famous San Andreas Fault, dividing the Pacific and North American tectonic plates. You will learn about the extraordinary drama taking place beneath your kayaks and you will witness the wealth of wildlife in the sea, the sky and the land. Lunch will be served on white tablecloths, coursed with Halleck Vineyard Wines, with wait service. Austin Perkins, the award-winning chef at Nick’s Cove Restaurant and Oyster Bar, will prepare a meal with seasonal, sustainable and delicious California ingredients. And for a special treat, there will be oysters from Hog Island Oyster Company. After kayaking, take a tour of Nick’s Cove and enjoy dessert overlooking Tomales Bay. Retire to Halleck Vineyard for a late afternoon walking tour of the vineyard, along with a tasting of local artisan cheeses paired with select wines and coffee.
Your last day is wide open for exploring beautiful Sonoma County and all it has to offer before your awaiting plane brings you home to Sun Valley. Options include detoxing at the Osmosis Day Spa and Enzyme Baths in Freestone, lounging at the Vintners Inn, hiking through the giant redwoods in Armstrong Woods, taking a driving tour up the Sonoma Coast, hot-air ballooning over Sonoma County, cycling the Sonoma Coast…the possibilities are endless!
Offer expires January 1, 2017. Mid-week stay only. Guests responsible for ground transportation.
OPENING BID
$10,000
INCLUDES
Two-Night Stay for Six
Two Private Tours and Tastings for Six
Two Private Catered Lunches for Six
Guided Kayak Outing for Six
Private Wine Dinner for Six
Private Air for Six
DONORS
Ross Halleck, Halleck Vineyard
Dan Kosta, Kosta Browne Winery
Jackson Jet Center
Hosted at Trish and Dave Wilson’s expansive penthouse above Ketchum with gorgeous views of the surrounding mountains, this is an evening you will never forget! Eight lucky bidders will be treated to a wine tasting and dinner like no other. You will be spoiled with unique out-of-this-world cuisine and a perfectly paired selection of 100-point wines. The night begins with a killer sampling of some of the best wines in the world, led by master sommelier, Troy Smith, of Montage Laguna Beach, who is equipped with in-depth knowledge gleaned from more than 15 years in the wine industry. Troy oversees the selection, purchasing and storage of wines for the entire resort and will be on hand to guide you through all the different pairings of the evening.
All of the wines selected for this event have been rated 100 points with a focus on old-world and new-world comparisons of wines from Napa and the Rhone Valley. And you can be certain that Troy will have a few surprises up his sleeve, waiting just for you to taste. Sounds exciting, doesn’t it?!? But hang on, because the fun doesn’t stop there. The party continues with dinner, prepared by Rob Wilson, Executive Chef at Montage Laguna Beach, who will astound you with his creativity and spontaneous style throughout the evening.
Star chef Rob Wilson has an extensive culinary background and graduated from the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in New York. Named “Chef of the Year” by Chef Magazine in 2008, he joined Montage in 2010 after an impressive history spanning two decades as Executive Chef with the Ritz-Carlton chain. Rob’s inventive menu will put you into foodie heaven and along with each incredible course, you will enjoy more rare 100-point jewels. Over the top? Maybe. But only just enough to make it perfect.
$2,000 per person. Eight people maximum. Dinner to take place on March 16, 2016.
OPENING BID
$2,000/per person
INCLUDES
Private Catered Wine Dinner
DONORS
David & Trish Wilson
Montage Laguna Beach
Experience the best in wine, fish and food on this exclusive fly fishing excursion. You and a friend will fish for native trout in one of the best fly fishing destinations in Europe—the picturesque and pristine waters of the Pyrenees Mountains in Spain.
Discover crystal-clear waters that teem with wild trout. Salvelinus Fly Fishing, an Orvis Endorsed guiding company, offers this amazing, unique tour with some of the best dry fly fishing in high-mountain streams, sight fishing in freestone rivers and hunting for trophy trout in lower stretches or selected tailwaters.
Fly fishing in the Pyrenees is for those looking for something different; your days will be spent on the water without even seeing another angler, surrounded by the wild, unspoiled natural landscape. This trip combines the fishing adventure of a lifetime with the utmost comfort in lodging and personal attention from experienced fly fishing guides. You will have access to more than 60 rivers, over 1,500 miles and 180 lakes all within easy driving distance of the two main lodges, each centrally located in its region to provide the best access to outstanding fishing. La Jacetania Lodge is a 15th-century stone-built fishing lodge on the banks of the Aragon River, in the picturesque village of Santa Cilia in the western Pyrenees. La Ribagorza Lodge is a charming traditional hotel with superb local cuisine that serves as the main base of operations in the eastern Pyrenees.
Your tour includes extraordinary local meals at some of the best restaurants along the route and wine from the Rioja, Somontano, Ribera del Duero and Penedes regions. It’s the perfect trip, blending first-rate fly fishing with old-world charm. Live out all your fly fishing fantasies in this special corner of the world, exploring rich waters in the heart of the Pyrenees where you just might hook the trout of a lifetime. With spectacular scenery, great food and wine and outstanding fly fishing, this is truly a trip not to be missed.
Trip does not include airfare to Spain. Dates available March through October 2016
OPENING BID
$8,000
INCLUDES
Nine-Night Stay for Two
Eight Days of Guided Fishing for Two
Fishing Licenses for Two
Meals and Beverages for Two
Ground Transportation for Two
DONOR
Salvelinus Fly Fishing,
Zaragoza, Spain
ACT ONE: Spend two glorious days and three fun-filled nights in sunny Carmel Valley and Monterey Bay with Figge Cellars. Arrive at the beautiful Carmel Valley Ranch Resort and kick things off with a casual dinner with Figge Cellars founder, Peter Figge. This is a handson visit, so after breakfast at the resort in the morning you will head out to the Figge vineyards and then to the winery for a full day of harvest crush work, with a break for a delicious lunch. In the evening, Peter will help you choose an amazing restaurant for dinner and even provide the wine.
The next day you get to be part of the harvest action for another day and then return to the hotel in time for a much-deserved spa treatment. Your true reward is a fabulous farm-to-table dinner on the property at Carmel Valley Ranch with Peter and his wines.
ACT TWO: Make your way down to Paso Robles for two more days and three more nights of good food, great fun and gorgeous wines. The brand-new luxury vineyard accommodations are right up your alley with stunning hilltop 360-degree views, infinity pool, gourmet kitchen and private suites for each couple…not too shabby at all. For dinner the first night, head down the hill to the Cherry House at the Maha Estate (also home of Villa Creek Cellars) for a home grown, wood-fired meal.
Then, you get to be a part of the inaugural Maha Estate Vintage at Villa Creek. Get your hands dirty picking, sorting and stomping and don’t forget the lavish harvest lunch. The coming of evening brings a catered dinner with wine in your own digs. The grand finale on your last day is a celebratory dinner at the chef’s table at Villa Creek Restaurant with your choice of wine from the cellar.
EPILOGUE: To the victor go the spoils. Each couple will take home a Magnum of the Figge 2010 Pelio Pinot Noir as well as a case of the 2015 vintage wines. And keep the memories alive with your complimentary one-year Figge wine club membership. From Villa Creek, each couple receives a Magnum of the 2010 James Berry Vineyard High Road and a case and a half each of the 2015 fall and 2016 spring releases, along with complimentary tickets to fall and spring release events.
OPENING BID
$8,000
INCLUDES
Six-Night Stay for Four
Four Breakfasts and Lunches for Four
Five Dinners with Wine for Four
Spa Treatments for Four
Two One-Year Wine Club Memberships
Five Cases of 750ml Bottles
Four 1.5-Liter Bottles
DONORS
Peter & Amy Figge, Figge Cellars
JoAnn & Cris Cherry, Villa Creek Cellars