Bidding Opens For Sotheby's Napa Valley Fine Wine, Experiences Auction

NAPA VALLEY, CA — Bidding began Thursday on lots in the Collective Napa Valley Fine Wine and Experiences Auction, a premier wine auction for collectors and enthusiasts presented by Sotheby's.

The exclusive auction features rare wines and one-of-a-kind Napa Valley experiences, all of which support youth health programs in Napa Valley.

It marks the third year Sotheby’s has worked with Napa Valley Vintners — a nonprofit trade association founded in 1944 and representing 550 members — to support local Napa Valley fundraising programs. Over the last 40-plus years, NVV has invested more than $230 million in community health, children’s well-being, and environmental initiatives across Napa Valley. Both organizations remain committed to furthering the well-being of the Napa Valley community.

"Napa Valley is known for its world-class wines and for offering the finest hospitality experiences," said Linda Reiff, president and CEO of Napa Valley Vintners. "This auction allows us the opportunity to shine a light on that. We’re excited to be able to put forward such tremendous offerings to Sotheby’s discerning clientele, and we’re grateful to put the proceeds toward the health and well-being of Napa Valley’s youth."

Wine Offerings

Every bottle on offer is direct from the cellar of a Napa Valley winery, providing the highest level of provenance in wine. This includes vertical collections, large-format bottles, and library vintages.

Large-format wine offerings include rarities such as a six-vintage vertical of magnums from Harlan Estate, a six-vintage vertical of 6-liter bottles from HALL, and a unique collection of 14 magnums and one 5-liter bottle from 15 different wineries in the Calistoga AVA.

Other special wine lots are provided by Amuse Bouche Winery, Cathiard Vineyard, Diamond Mountain Vineyard, David Arthur Vineyards, Davis Estates, Fairwinds Estate Winery, Groth Vineyards & Winery, Jericho Canyon Vineyard, Mount Veeder Winery, Revana Family Vineyard, Schrader Cellars, Sire Estate Wines, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, Vineyard 7 & 8 and WaterMark Wine among many others.

Exclusive Experiences

In addition to the rare and exceptional wine offerings, the auction features unique experiences featuring Napa Valley's renowned hospitality and natural beauty.

Chappellet Vineyard and Hourglass Winery present a live-fire, whole lamb cookout for 20 guests. Robert Biale Vineyards offers a 6-liter of their famed Black Chicken Zinfandel with a winery lunch for six.

Other wine and food experiences include lots from Amulet Estate, Davis Estates, Kenzo Estate, Night Wines, Round Pond Estate, Sherwin Family Vineyards and Tom Eddy Winery.

Robert Mondavi Winery offers an intimate Napa Valley weekend for two couples with dinner, a winemaker-led blending experience, library wines and a stay at the Archer Hotel. St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery and Carneros Resort and Spa put forward an overnight stay with a winery cellar experience and lunch for eight guests.

Other lots feature special access to private lodging provided by wineries such as the Sylvie Estate vineyard casita in the heart of Oakville or PEJU winery's three-night retreat at their picturesque cottage. B Cellars offers a two-night winery stay with a barrel tasting and multi-course luncheon featuring incredible wines from B Cellars and Venge Vineyards.

Auction Details

The online auction opened for advance bidding at noon EDT on Thursday, Aug. 29. Neither buyer’s premium nor overhead premium is applied to the hammer price in this auction.

Access the Collective Napa Valley Fine Wine and Experiences Auction here. Bidding closes at 2 p.m. Eastern Time (11 a.m. Pacific Time) on Thursday, Sept. 12.

Sotheby’s currently holds the world records for any whisky collection ever sold at auction, any private wine collection ever sold at auction, the most valuable bottle of wine ever sold at auction, and the most valuable bottle of spirits ever sold at auction in addition to the highest ever total for a charity wine auction.

"Our collaboration with Napa Valley Vintners allows us to bring the very best of Napa Valley to Sotheby's global clientele," said Nick Pegna, Sotheby's global head of wine and spirits. "The provenance of these wines is of the highest caliber, and this auction stands out for offering not only exceptional wines but also exclusive winery experiences—something rarely featured in Sotheby’s fine and rare auctions. We are excited to present these unique offerings, which further underscore Napa Valley’s reputation as one of the world’s foremost wine regions."