LOTS
In 1991, Havens Wine Cellars, producers of Carneros wines since 1984, offered the first Carneros Syrah, sourcing the fruit from the renowned Carneros vineyard of Lee Hudson. In 1999, Havens made the decision to separate out Hudson’s block “T” for a special bottling. This, the winery’s only single-vineyard bottling, comes from the block’s extraordinary qualities and Hudson’s long-term quality commitment.
Situated deep in the heart of the gently rolling hills of Carneros, Hudson Vineyards is a 180-acre site producing grapes of distinction from uniquely situated blocks. This site was originally known as Talcoa Vineyards, an Indian name meaning “laughing land.” The peaceful, bucolic setting of Hudson Vineyards belies the energy, intensity and passion of proprietor Lee Hudson. A talented group of people, many of whom have worked with the Ranch for 20 years of more, devote their full attention to the vineyards. The Havens/Hudson offering is a 5-case lot of wine, a special one-of-a-kind blend of Syrah and Grenache called Plus, from Hudson Vineyards. It will be bottled for the winning bidder with custom letter-press label, large formats available.
A picnic in the vineyard for six, summer or fall 2008, exclusive of harvest. Date to be arranged by mutual agreement with sufficient notice.
(Time to be mutually agreed upon – expires March 2009)
Ceja Vineyards is an ultra premium Latino Family owned winery founded by Amelia, Pedro, Armando and Martha Ceja, first generation Mexican-American winegrowers in the Napa and Sonoma Valleys.
Ceja invites you to savor our 2007 Barrel Select Carneros Estate Pinot Noir. It’s produced from a collection of Dijon 115, Dijon 667 and our Blackjack Triple Seven clones. This wine illustrates an optimum winegrowing season from the heart of Carneros. It’s bright with dark fruit flavors and a silky structure.
Five Cases of 2007 Ceja Carneros Pinot Noir Estimated release date: July 2009
Wine + Food + Family + Friends + Music = ¡Fiesta!
In addition, there will be a ¡Fiesta! The Cejas will share with you and nine guests their tantalizing south-of-the-border signature dishes paired with the family’s award-winning wines. The venue – their beautiful Carneros tasting room will embrace you, and the Vintage Mexican music – will captivate you. ¡Salud! To a memorable event!
From a distance, Artesa seems to be just another hill in Carneros. But like a jewel set into a hilltop, this stunningly beautiful winery commands panoramic views of the Napa Valley, Carneros region and San Francisco Bay. Artesa – from the word “craftsman” in Catalan, the language of Barcelona and our owners – is home to a number of very special handcrafted wines. Architecturally unique, the winery is modernist in style and covered with native grasses that blend harmoniously with the surrounding terrain.
For our lot we are teaming up with third-generation farmer Jim Haire. The windswept Haire Vineyard sits atop rolling hills with breathtaking views of the San Francisco Bay. Made from two distinct blocks featuring extremely rare soils of volcanic ashfall and rock, this micro-lot showcases the intense concentration, voluptuous fruit, and firm structure of the Pinot Noir varietal. The yield is 1.3 tons to the acre from these blocks when the average is 3 tons.
This lot will consist of a tour, tasting, private lunch for four people and five cases of wine from your favorite 2007 Haire Vineyard barrel. The day will start with Jim Haire touring you around his fabulous and unique vineyard site. Your group will continue onto Artesa Winery where our winemaker, Dave Dobson, will have you try different barrel samples of 2007 Haire Vineyard Pinot Noirs so you can choose your favorite. Once the hard work of choosing your barrel is complete, Dave, Jim and your party of four will be wined & dined with a four course lunch specially prepared by Executive Chef George Ellis paired with fabulous Artesa wines. Your personally selected barrel will be hand bottled in beautiful silkscreened 750ml bottles.
Durell Vineyard was founded in 1977 by Ed Durell. This unique vineyard includes Sonoma Valley, Sonoma Coast, and Carneros appellations.There are 225 planted acres predominately Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The first Chardonnay was planted in 1979 followed by Pinot Noir in 1980. Steve Hill has meticulously tended this vineyard from 1977 to the present. Winery clients producing vineyard designated wines from this vineyard include: Chateau St. Jean, Chausseur, Kistler, Loring, Nicholson Ranch, Patz & Hall, Robert Craig, Saxon Brown, and TOR among others. The Bill Price family purchased Durell Vineyard in 1998.
Three Sticks Wines was established by Bill Price in 2002. Three Sticks is a very small winery specializing in small lots of exceptional wines from the Durell estate. Three Sticks is utilizing solar power and awaiting green certification. Don Van Staaveren, the Three Sticks winemaker, first worked with Durell Pinot Noir in 1990.
Three Sticks Wines will be creating a blend of 2007 Pinot Noir from select blocks of the illustrious Durell Vineyard. This hand crafted micro-lot features decades of grape growing and wine making experience from Durell plus the fabulous 2007 vintage. Five cases of unique Pinot are sure to please the successful bidder!
Merryvale Vineyards is a family-owned Napa Valley winery dedicated to passionate winemaking and the fine art of living well. For the past 25 years Merryvale has been turning exceptional Napa Valley grapes into world class wines. Merryvale’s historic building was the first winery built in the Napa Valley after the repeal of Prohibition in 1933, and has become a must see attraction for visitors to the valley.
Merryvale is committed to protecting and preserving the environment through sustainable farming practices. Our new Starmont Winery on the historic Stanly Ranch in Carneros is a state-of-the-art solar powered facility, and our estate vineyard at Starmont has just received Napa Green Farm certification. For more information, please visit www.merryvale.com.
Merryvale is pleased to offer a 5 case lot of our “Top Block” 2007 Pinot Noir from our estate vineyard at Stanly Ranch. Planted in 2001 to Dijon Clone 667, this vineyard is now mature and producing the best fruit in our Pinot Noir program.
The Stanly Ranch has been renowned for its grapes since the 19th century. Saintsbury has been making wine from Stanly Ranch grapes since 1984 and in 2004, we began making a “Stanly Ranch” vineyard-designate wine. The 2007 growing season is one of the best we have seen for the Stanly Ranch, and this Pinot Plus lot reflects that. We chose wine from two blocks for this blend, 14 and 17, both planted to clone 777. Block 14 was fermented in an closed-top fermenter, and 17 in a 5 ton open-top. The wine has been aged in a combination of new and one-year old Taransaud and Francois Freres barrels. The ripe aromas of berry and black fruit lead to a palate with a sweet entry, a rich middle and a long finish. This five (5)-case lot includes a lunch al fresco at the Stanly Ranch, co-hosted by Saintsbury and Silverado Partners.
Founded in 1980, Schug Carneros Estate is the showcase and life-long dream of one of California's most celebrated winemakers. Walter Schug's reputation blossomed during his 10-year tenure as Vice President and Winemaker for Joseph Phelps Vineyards in the 1970s. Among Walter’s many contributions to the Napa Valley's newly emerging fame were:
Walter and his wife, Gertrud, set up their own winery in the cool, marine climate of the Carneros Appellation where he could focus on the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay varietals that had always been close to his heart. Schug will offer the following five case lot: 100% Pinot Noir from our Sangiacomo Donnell Ranch 2007 To be bottled March 2009, in any combination of bottle sizes 750ml – 5.0L
In addition to the five case lot, the winning bidder and five guests are invited to come to Schug Winery and join Walter for a private tour and dinner in the caves, specially prepared by Kristine Schug, our Winery Chef.
The date and time for the dinner is to be set upon mutual arrangement.
Situated just two miles from San Francisco Bay in the Carneros District of Napa Valley, Acacia Vineyard is distinguished by a cool microclimate dominated by wind and fog from the nearby Pacific Ocean, and by shallow, dense clay soils. While these difficult growing conditions limit grape production, they result in Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes of rare power and complexity. Acacia was founded in 1979 and made one of the first single vineyard Pinot Noirs in the Carneros District.
Today Acacia is a leader in the new Carneros by handcrafting compelling Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays that defy conventional winemaking wisdom and consistently exceed expectations. A firm winemaking approach to Pinot Noir highlights the bold character of Carneros fruit while capturing the grape's earthy complexity and silky texture. The Single Vineyard Selection wines, created with grapes from our estate vineyard and from neighbors who have grown fruit for Acacia for two decades, demonstrate the influence of individual terroir.
We offer a compelling auction lot, which includes a walking tour of the Acacia Estate vineyards, and lunch for 4 with the Acacia winemaker, Matthew Glynn. Additionally, you will obtain five (5) cases of a unique blend of Pinot Noir made for the winning bidder.
The vintage 2007 Pinot Noir available at the Pinot Plus auction is a unique blend of Pinot Noir made from grapes from the eastern side of the Acacia Estate. On this eastern side of our estate we have the most well-drained soils, and on a particular summit, or crown, of the naturally undulating vineyards, we are able to grow exceptional grapes. Primarily from Pommard clone, this wine is masculine with desirable structure and concentration. This auction lot will be blended with a few wines made from our fragrant Dijon clones, to create a unique and sumptuous bottling of Acacia Pinot Noir.
Cuvaison founded its Carneros Estate Vineyard on Duhig Road in 1979, making us one of the earliest producers to recognize the stellar, cool climate potential of this fog shrouded dairy land. We produced our first Pinot Noirs in 1987 and in 2004 we opened the doors on our new, state-of –the-art, winery in the heart of Carneros vineyard. The new facility has been designed around the demands of making world class Pinot noir from grape to bottle, allowing us to unlock the full potential of our stunning estate.
This year we are proud to offer 5 cases of 2007 single block Pinot from our Calera selection in Block B8. The Calera is a heritage selection prized for its “low yield” intensity and fine acid structure. The wine will be aged for 14 months and be ready for release in late December, 2008.
This one-of-a-kind lot brings together Lee Hudson of Hudson Vineyard, Larry Hyde of Hyde Vineyards and Patz & Hall—a Chardonnay lovers dream team! Made using fruit from two of the most acclaimed vineyards in all of Carneros, this special five-case lot is a barrel-select bottling with a twist. To craft this world-class cuvée, Lee and Larry will each select their favorite barrel of Patz and Hall wine from their own vineyards. They will then join renowned winemaker James Hall during the blending process to create a landmark Chardonnay fusing the expressive power and complexity of their two grand cru properties. A product of the stellar 2007 vintage, this wine promises evocative character, dramatic flavors and seductive textures. It also promises to be a coveted, age-worthy collectible, for anyone interested in the great vineyards of Carneros.
One family, one vineyard, one wine is the logo for the Fotinos Pinot Noir produced by the George Fotinos Family. The vineyard located on the Old Sonoma Road in the Carneros District of Napa County, has been growing Pinot Noir grapes for four decades.
The family produces an estate grown Pinot Noir wine. The wine is made in the old world style using open fermentation tanks and fine oak barrels for proper aging. Wines are only released after they reach full maturity.
George learned his wine making skills from his father Christos who immigrated to America in 1910 from the beautiful island of Lefkas, Greece.
The Fotinos lot features one case of our current release 2004 Pinot Noir and one case of our yet to be released 2005 Pinot Noir. Both wines were recipients of awards from the prestigious 2007 and 2008 Chronicle wine competition.
The winning bidder will also be given a tour of our vineyard and learn viticulture techniques (depending on the season) to include pruning, shoot thinning, crop thinning, and leaf removal all important techniques used by our family to produce fine grapes to insure fine wine. Following the vineyard tour and work session, Greek style hors d’oevres will be served along with our wines.
ZD’s history dates back to 1969 when founder Norman deLeuze produced the first Pinot Noir recognizing Carneros on the label.
The 2007 vintage was ZD’s 39th consecutive vintage producing Pinot Noir from this World Class Region. This is your chance to own 1 of only 10 three liter bottles of ZD’s 2006 Reserve Pinot Noir; as well as 6 future six packs (750 ls') of the 2007 Reserve Pinot Noir. Bring 5 of your friends for a rare opportunity to picnic alongside the 7 acre block of organically farmed vines that produced these delicious wines. You will be joined by the deLeuze family and winemaking team for a fun and informative afternoon.
Bouchaine Winemaker Michael Richmond has been making wine for over 35 years, specializing in Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, which thrive in the marine-influenced gentle hills of Carneros. Our 2007 vintage Pinot Plus Auction Lot shows the multi-dimensional complexities, beauty, and elegance that Carneros Pinots are known for, with a seamless balance of spice, fruit, smoke, and earth. 100% estate grown fruit. Clones include Dijon and Pommard. Barrel aging in 100% new French oak barrels.
As part of our 5-case auction lot, we are delighted to provide the winning bidder with a two-night stay (up to two couples) at Villa XIII, the luxury guest home at The Carneros Inn belonging to Bouchaine’s proprietors, Gerret and Tatiana Copeland. Relax on the veranda with a glass of Bouchaine, while gazing across inspiring views of the beautiful Carneros, home to so many spectacular wineries and vineyards. Also included is a VIP Tasting (including from barrels) at Bouchaine and a “Vineyard Safari Tour” of our sustainably-farmed Carneros vineyards.
Enjoy a totally irreverent and insightful look at the history of the evolution of bubbles in the world market. Presented on site at Domaine Carneros by America's doyenne of sparkling wine, Eileen Crane.
Participate in the blending of Le Rêve Cuveé, repeatedly rated America's #1 sparkling wine. Complete the experience with dinner at the Chateau complimented by library tasting of top vintages.
Leave with three verticals of Le Rêve, all available vintages from 1992 (premier release) through 2002 (no 1996 - 30 bottles total).
The entire experience is offered for the successful bidder plus seven (7) guests (total of eight).
Let us celebrate Carneros! Let us celebrate the appellation that consistently delivers world class wine grapes! Castle’s auction lot celebrates Carneros by offering wines crafted from two of the thriving wine varieties in this appellation. We are proud to offer three cases of our 2007 Carneros Estate Pinot Noir as well as two cases of our 2007 Carneros Chardonnay.
The first part of our offering consists of three cases of 2007 Estate Pinot Noir made exclusively from the Dijon clones originally selected from the Burgundy region of France. These clones include 114, 115, 777, and 667. This wine is crafted exclusively from fruit grown on our sustainably farmed vineyard in the heart of the Sonoma portion of the Carneros AVA. The second wine we are featuring consists of two cases of our 2007 Los Carneros Chardonnay. We use slow, cool fermentation to preserve the Carneros fruit aromas and sur-lie weekly for 5 months. These wines are stored in French oak barrels without comprising our “Burgundian” winemaking style Meticulous attention to detail from vine to bottle leads us to believe that your cellar will gladly welcome these additions!
Cheers! Winemakers Vic McWilliams and Jennifer Marion
Founded by Steve MacRostie in 1987, MacRostie Winery and Vineyards uses only the finest fruit from sustainbly farmed vineyards in the Carneros and Sonoma Coast appellations. Featuring estate-bottled wines from the highly acclaimed Wildcat Mountain Vineyard, the MacRostie artisan portfolio includes Chardonnay, Syrah, Pinot Noir and Merlot.
Capturing the elegant purity of a single clone of Pinot Noir grown on Wildcat Mountain Vineyard’s prized Saddle Block, this exclusive five-case bottling is a must for lovers of vibrant, cool-climate Pinot. Nestled between two small knolls, with a picturesque westward facing, Wildcat’s Saddle Block receives warm afternoon sun tempered by cooling breezes off the Pacific. As a result, the coveted grapes from his special block consistently yield some of Wildcat’s most exceptional fruit. In the phenomenal 2007 vintage, Saddle Block didn’t disappoint, delivering a supple and balanced wine with beautifully delineated varietal aromas and flavors.
In addition to this handcrafted, barrel-selected Pinot Noir, you will enjoy a personal tour of Wildcat Mountain Vineyard for you and five friends, guided by founder Steve MacRostie. After your tour, join Steve for an intimate dinner at his favorite Sonoma restaurant, Café La Haye, where you will savor chef Norman Owens’ inspired cuisine alongside a special vertical tasting of Wildcat Mountain Vineyard Wines.
From the Sonoma Coast to the Sierra Foothills, Highway 12 traverses six of California’s finest grape growing regions. Of particular pride to us is the idyllic Sonoma Valley and the famed Carneros District, each home to dozens of world class vineyards. This is where we live and where we make our Highway 12 wines.
As a part of our Pinot Plus Auction contribution, we’re proud to offer five cases of our 2007 Highway 12 Carneros Pinot Noir, fruit grown by our good friends at prestigious Sangiacomo Family Vineyards — plus two 3 liter collectors’ bottles signed by the Highway 12 proprietors and members of the Sangiacomo family. This first Pinot Noir under our Highway 12 label is one of many steps in the development and recognition of Highway 12 Wine Country as a distinct, eminently historical and all inclusive destination.
Further, we’re extending to the winning bidder and 3 guests, “Dinner with the Highway 12 Proprietors” at the Carneros Bistro where we will be joined by prominent Sonoma Sommelier, Chris Sawyer. A very nice evening.
Toad Hall Cellars originally started out as a family project producing ten cases annually. The brand name was created long before the varietals were even decided. The Wind in the Willows, a popular children’s book, has as the main character a lovable rebel, Mr. Toad. Our father, John, was deemed as a real caricature of Toad by our mother Carrie, a former children’s librarian. His enthusiastic nature, independent attitude, gusto for living and gift for spinning a good story describes both John and Mr. Toad. The annual production for Toad Hall Cellars is less than 2,000 cases. We specialize in Carneros District Pinot Noirs and a Cabernet Sauvignon that we call Bodacious.
Six bottles each of our highly acclaimed 2005 Toad Hall Cellars Lavender Hill Pinot Noir and a pre-release of 2006 Lavender Hill Pinot Noir, a private tasting of our current releases, a copy of The Wind in the Willows and a one night stay (Sunday through Thursday) at Mr. Toad’s favorite place to lodge, Rancho Caymus Inn, located in the heart of Napa Valley.
Three cases of a personalized, absolutely unique blend of wine. The winner of this auction lot will have the opportunity to create their own special blend with winemaker/owner Scott Rich, using 2006 vintage lots from Adastra Vineyard and Wildcat Mountain Vineyard. Adastra vineyard is a small, family-owned, certified organic vineyard situated in a very sweet spot in the heart of the Los Carneros appellation. Wildcat Mountain Vineyard is high on a mountainside on the extreme southwest edge of Los Carneros and sits on rocky soils of volcanic origin. It is a joint venture between vintner Steve MacRostie and Nancy and Tony Lilly. This will be the only blend of wine from these two special vineyards in the entire universe!
It’s margarita party time again! And, like last year, there will be three cases of Selene’s 2007 Sauvignon Blanc from Hyde Vineyard as well for the winning bidder.
Internationally recognized as one of the most acclaimed vineyards in the world, the name “Hyde Vineyards” on a label signals world class wine through world class grapes.
Renowned winemaker, Mia Klein, a recognized expert in crafting Bordeaux varietal wines, expresses those varietals to their optimum through her Selene Wines and its select production of exceptional wines. Mia has been producing Sauvignon Blanc at Selene since 1992, partnering with Larry Hyde and Hyde Vineyards for 16 years.
As Larry and Mia work as partners to produce wonderful Sauvignon Blanc, they will work together to throw a memorable margarita party. The winning bidder and five guests will enjoy margaritas personally made by Mia followed by dinner hosted by the Hyde’s on the terrace of their Carneros home.
Adastra, named from the ancient Roman phrase, “per aspera ad astra,” (through striving to the stars), seeks to produce elegant balanced and intense wines from 20 acres of CCOF certified organic vineyards owned by physicians Chris and Naomi Thorpe. Chris and son-in-law Edwin Richards tend the vines and have worked with celestially matched winemaker Pam Starr since 1997. In 2004, an ultra-reserve line designated “Proximus” (Latin for “closer” …to the stars) was introduced. Our lot is 3 cases of 2007 Adastra Proximus Pinot Noir ( dense, complex and concentrated from low yields of Dijon 115, 777 and Pommard Clones) and 2 cases of 2007 Adastra Proximus Chardonnay (vibrant, bright, and well balanced with substantial mouthfeel derived from Dijon 76, 95, 96, Old Wente and #4 clones cropped at 1.5-1.75 tons/acre). Luncheon for six with Adastra’s team, including winemaker Pam Starr, after an estate tour and vertical tasting completes our offering.
Founded in 1976 by Joel Peterson and Reed Foster, Ravenswood is a highly specialized winery located in beautiful Carneros that has produced exceptional wines for over thirty years. In this brave new enologically altered world, Ravenswood continues to use the best of old and new techniques to set a standard for complex, balanced, uncompromising wine that captures everything a vineyard has to offer. Through the years, Ravenswood has worked with amazing vineyards that stand high above the rest for the one-of-a-kind character they display. The El Novillero Vineyard, owned and farmed through a partnership of the Donnell and Sangiacomo families, is located on the western edge of the Carneros appellation. Set on the gentle slopes of the southwestern foothills of the Sonoma Valley, this vineyard is engulfed in cool morning fog coming from the Petaluma Gap. Ravenswood has had the good fortune of sourcing Chardonnay from this vineyard for over fifteen years. This auction lot is five cases of a very special Chardonnay made from the El Novillero vineyard. Produced from the ‘Old Wente’ clone, Ravenswood has made a full-bodied Chardonnay with a crisp acidity that balances the lush fruit and toasty oak flavors. The flavors of French oak and citrus linger on the palate long after the wine has been swallowed for a long bright finish associated with Carneros fruit.
Join Etude Winemaker Jon Priest and Viticulturist Franci Ashton for an exclusive tour of the Etude Estate vineyard in Carneros, followed by a gourmet lunch. Explore the incredible diversity of the vineyard, home to the 2007 Temblor Pinot Noir and your five cases.
The Etude Estate vineyard in Carneros is best understood as a collection of small vineyards, which are all truly distinct. Ranging from seven acres to over twenty-seven acres in size, these vineyards are unique places readily defined by their topography and soils.
The first vineyard-designated wine released from the Etude Estate was the 2004 Deer Camp Pinot Noir, which was named for an old deer camp structure that stands at its base. 2005 marked the inaugural vintage of the Temblor Pinot Noir. Located on a more gradual slope that faces east, the soils here are very well-drained, with tightly packed volcanic boulders and cobbles braided throughout this area. This vineyard is more directly influenced by the Pacific Ocean, resulting in the longest duration of fog (fog developing early and burning off late). The gradual slopes and moderate microclimate allow for even vine growth and fruit ripening. While rich and full of flavor, the wines are built with a softer structure; finesse and grace.
The 2007 Etude Temblor Pinot Noir Estate will be released in September of 2009.
With the 2006 vintage, Kazmer & Blaise releases it's first vintage of Chardonnay. Grown on the knoll just south of our Primo's Hill Pinot Noir, this Chardonnay is shadowed by the masts of the Carneros Marina where the marine influence is greatest. We have made only four barrels of this inaugural release and we proudly offer the first 5 cases to be auctioned. With the bottling date set for June, 2008, this Chardonnay is barrel-fermented in Kadar barrels from Tokaj and aged for 20 months. Peter Kazmer Molnar and Michael Blaise Terrien partered to make Kazmer & Blaise-previously only Pinot Noir-beginning in 1998. The Molnar family has owned vineyardland in the deep south of Carneros where the Carneros creek meets the Napa river for more than 30 years and Michael Terrien previously made the wines at Acacia Vineyards and now at Hanzell Vineyards. Together they make singular wines with distinct character under their own label.
We source Hangtime wines from highly specific sites the world over—so naturally we turned to micro-climates within cool Carneros for Pinot Noir of exceptional quality. The region’s windswept foothills provide the kind of long, even growing season Pinot Noir craves, and we proudly stamp each bottle of Hangtime with the exact number of days the grapes have spent on the vine developing rich varietal character and balanced acidity.
Our 2007 vintage of Hangtime Carneros Gallery Vineyard Pinot Noir comes from vines that surround our Folio Winemakers’ Studio at the base of Prayer Mountain. We focused on three small lots, harvesting each individually to capture fruit at the peak of ripeness. Grapes from the Beehive Block give the wine intense concentration, while our other two lots provide bright hints of cranberry layered with intriguing spice complexity.
In addition to five cases of our 2007 Hangtime Carneros Gallery Vineyard Pinot Noir, you’ll enjoy a winemaker dinner for four with Hangtime winemaker Tony Coltrin, who brings more than three decades of winemaking experience to Hangtime. Our chef, Sarah Scott of the Oxbow Market, will prepare a gourmet feast from the freshest seasonal fare, served up at our charming Folio Winemakers’ Studio nestled right smack in the middle of Gallery Vineyard.
Nestled in the southern foothills of the Sonoma Valley, Nicholson Ranch enjoys a unique combination of soils, sloping hills and climate that is ideal for producing outstanding wines. Bordered by the Carneros, our growing season is marked by sun-filled days giving way to cool evenings, creating a superb winegrowing environment.
Nicholson Ranch is a small, family run winery specializing in elegant, hand-crafted Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah and Merlot. The Ranch bears a rich family heritage, prime grape-growing soils, unique gravity-flow winemaking facilities and a delightful sense of adventure. A visit to Nicholson Ranch will always feature exquisite views and exceptional wines, along with the opportunity for cave tours, art exhibits and gourmet food events.
Ramona Nicholson and her husband and partner, Deepak Gulrajani, offer you this 3-case lot of 2005 Las Madres Syrah, Los Carneros, plus a proprietor-led tour of both the winery and the near-by Las Madres Vineyard! Your group of eight will be treated to a full tour of our unique, five-level gravity flow winery while sampling our elegant, handcrafted Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah and Merlot. After the tour and tasting we will drive a short distance to the meticulously cared for Las Madres Vineyard, home to 9-acres of stunning syrah grapes. Vineyard owners, Jean and John Painter, will lead the “Walk Though the Vines” which will culminate in a lovely picnic by the pond for the whole party.
The Ancien auction lot is a 3 hour cruise and wine tasting for six people on a 45’ Motor Yacht hosted by Ken and Teresa Bernards, owners and winemakers of Ancien Wines. You will have an opportunity to taste both new releases and select library wines. We will sail along the Napa River at a leisurely pace surrounded by wildlife, vineyards, and the rolling hills of Carneros.
The winning bidder will also receive one case of each of the following designates from the stellar ’07 vintage: Carneros Pinot Noir - Toyon Farm, Carneros Chardonnay, Carneros Pinot Gris - Sangiacomo Vineyard, Carneros Pinot Noir - El Novillero. (These wines will be bottled between August 2008 and February 2009)
The cruise is to be scheduled at a mutually agreeable time and date after May 2008.
Founded in 1900 by Georges de Latour, Beaulieu Vineyard is one of the few Napa Valley wineries to operate continually for more than a century. What began as a modest family business now claims more than 1100 acres of some of California’s most historic vineyards and has become one of the most respected wineries in Napa Valley – and the world. As BV enters its second century, the passion and vision that founded the winery and defined it as an American classic, continues to keep it in the vanguard of innovative California wineries. BV is embracing its next 100 years, as dedicated as ever to producing benchmark wines that define heritage and the future of the Napa Valley.
We offer five (5) cases of a blend of Pinot Noir Dijon clones from our historic BV #5 vineyard in Carneros. This wine is delicately perfumed with bright wild berry aromas & deep floral notes. A small amount of Pommard clone adds a backbone and deep color to the wine and enhances the spiciness of the oak barrel.
Enjoy wine from one of Napa’s most historic wineries and toast to the future!
Clos Du Val recognized the potential of Carneros early on. In 1973—just one year after our winery was established—we purchased 180 acres in Carneros exclusively for our Chardonnay and Pinot Noir program. Today, Carneros is a major focus for our winemaker, John Clews.
At Clos Du Val, we believe wine should be enjoyed with food, family and friends. Our one-of-a-kind auction lot reflects this philosophy. The winning bidder of Clos Du Val’s “Pinot and Party” lot will receive five cases of 100% Pinot Noir from the highly-anticipated 2007 vintage, which many are already calling one of the best Pinot Noir vintages in years. This wine comes from the finest blocks at our estate Carneros Vineyard and is available for release Spring 2009.
Additionally, the bidder will receive two tickets to Clos Du Val’s Reserve Release Party on Aug. 10, a one-night stay at the River Terrace Inn in Napa and transportation to and from the party. This exclusive affair is our biggest event of the year and always sells out. The winning bidder will arrive at the party in style and be among the first to taste the 2006 Reserve Chardonnay and 2005 Reserve Pinot Noir, both from the Carneros Vineyard. He or she will enjoy a menu created to match the wines, and dance the night away.
Winemaker for a Day! (and the Weekend!) Founded in 1857, Buena Vista Carneros is California’s first winery and the largest vineyard holder in Carneros. Our 800 acre Ramal Vineyard is broken up into 167 individual blocks of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot and Syrah. The winning bidder will get the opportunity to place their own imprint on the final bottling, by putting together their unique clonal blend of either Carneros Pinot Noir or Syrah with winemaker Jeff Stewart and a Guest Master Sommelier. Come on a Friday to make your blend and spend Friday and Saturday nights with your guests (4) at our Carneros Guest House. Adjacent to the private Buena Vista Winery, the secluded Carneros Vineyard House overlooks our gorgeous Ramal Vineyard Estate at the southern edge of Sonoma and Napa Counties. Five Cases of 2007 Buena Vista Carneros Pinot Noir or Syrah Estimated release date: March 2009
For more than 20 years, Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards—the first sparkling wine house in the Carneros region—has nurtured a dynamic relationship of discovery with the land, the rewards of which are revealed in balanced wines of earth and opulence. Owned by the Ferrer family, whose wine experience is rooted in 19th century Spain, Gloria Ferrer cultivates fruit for its premium quality sparkling and still wines in its 335-acre Carneros Estate Vineyards. Vineyard Manager Mike Crumly and Winemaker Bob Iantosca, both of whom have worked for Gloria Ferrer from its inception, have devoted more than two decades to identifying the diverse soil types, microclimates and specific needs of every vine in their care.
At Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards we have a long tradition of inviting visitors to discover our exceptional cool-climate wines served with warm Spanish hospitality. For this auction lot we are pleased to welcome you and 9 guests to our Spanish-style winery nestled in the beautiful Carneros hills. To begin the evening, you’ll have a special tour of the winery and the opportunity to explore the méthode champenoise process we use to craft our award winning wines.
Following the tour, you and your guests will share a delectable feast prepared by renowned Chef Janine Flavo of Carneros Bistro and Wine Bar, named one of the top 50 restaurants in the Bay Area by San Francisco Magazine. Your dinner will be paired perfectly with a selection of limited production, estate sparkling wines and Pinot Noirs. At the end of the evening, you will be sent home with five cases of a very special blend of the finest of our 2007 Pinot Noirs from some of our highest quality vineyard blocks as a way to remember this enchanting experience.
Since 1922 our family, the Bartolucci Family, has consistently created a perfect marriage of grapes and wine at Madonna Estate. As the third oldest family continuously growing grapes and making wine in the Napa Valley, it is important that we continue the commitment to farm organically, and preserve the winemaking traditions from past generations in combination with new technology.
We are pleased to offer the winning bidder something very unique, a three case vertical selection of our 2004, 2005, and 2006 Estate Bottled organically grown, dry-farmed Dolcetto. This is our first vertical presentation of Dolcetto. We are one of only two producers of this wine in the Napa Valley.
Dolcetto is a rich Northern Italian red that is an everyday favorite in the Piedmont Region of Italy. It has raspberry and cranberry fruit flavors, with a whiff of exotic spice, and intense color. From the first vintage in 2003, our Dolcetto has been a consistent medal winner in selected competitions. One such honor was the Chairman’s Gold Best of Class in the Long Beach Grand Cru.
In addition to the three case vertical of Dolcetto, we would like to invite the bidder and three guests to join us at home, in our Estate vineyard, for an afternoon of Bocce Ball and hor d’oeuvres. This invitation date is to be mutually agreed upon and should take place before the month of August 2008. Please contact the winery to make scheduling arrangements with a Bartolucci family member
At the Donum Estate, we are dedicated to the pursuit of the ultimate Pinot Noir, using traditional Burgundian winemaking techniques, sensitive, sustainable farming practices and our unwavering passion for this varietal. We strive for an intricate balance between elegance and power in our wines. The estate is comprised of 120 acres of vineyards located in the center of Carneros.
The Donum Estate is offering Eighteen Magnums of 2007 Pinot Noir, six each from the following estate blocks: East Slope, West Slope and Ferguson. The wines will be barrel selected and unavailable to the general public.
The winning bidder and three guests are also invited to enjoy dinner at Café La Haye in Sonoma and vertical tasting of Donum Pinot Noir (2001 - 2006) with Anne Moller-Racke, winegrower and president, and Kenneth Juhasz, winemaker
Since 1927, the Sangiacomo Family has been growing fruit in the Carneros soils. Transitioning to grapes in 1969, Sangiacomo Family Vineyards farms Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Merlot on some of the most diverse and thrilling topography Carneros has to offer. Today, the 2nd and 3rd generation of Sangiacomos are growing outstanding grapes on the legacy of their past with the viticultural practices of the future.
More than fifty wineries purchase Sangiacomo grapes. Some identify their wines by featuring the Sangiacomo Family Vineyard designation on their labels. Rombauer Vineyards, sharing that distinction, has been one of the Sangiacomo’s longest, and most successful, relationships—buying both Chardonnay and Merlot.
The Sangiacomos first planted Chardonnay more than 35 years ago on the Green Acres Ranch. It’s a magical place for great Chardonnay as some of the best wine is produced from grapes grown there. For this auction, Rombauer Vineyards has assembled five cases of their special “Sangiacomo Vineyards Green Acres Ranch” Chardonnay along with a Sangiacomo Family Vineyards tour that will outline the various areas where many of California’s best wineries source their grapes.
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