Dateㄩ
2015-09-09 15:17 Sourceㄩ
decanter Author:
Richard Woodard Translator:
This year＊s Sonoma Harvest Wine Auction raised a record-breaking charity total of over US$4m 每 more than twice the previous high.
Bidders at the Sonoma Harvest Wine Auction Credit: Sonoma Wine Country Weekend
More than 700 people attended the Sonoma wine event, bidding for a range of lots from sought-after wines to ＆priceless＊ experiences 每 all benefiting an array of local charities.
The auction＊s Fund the Future lot, which supports child literacy, raised over $1.6m, more than double last year＊s total of $700,000.
Gross proceeds are expected to total more than $5m for the entire Sonoma Wine Country Weekend, once the final tallies have been calculated 每 again, more than double last year＊s fundraising total.
The largest grossing lot at the 31 August event was Hamel Family Wines＊ ＆Six Cooks in the Kitchen＊ 每 a private dinner for 50 at the winery featuring six James Beard-award winning chefs 每 which raised $250,000 from 25 couples bidding $10,000 each.
The highest-grossing wine only lot was the ＆Hanzell Heritage Tribute＊, donated by Hanzell Vineyards to honour winemaker Bob Sessions, who died in May.
The lot included three, three-litre bottles of Hanzell Vineyards Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and sold for $80,000.
＆Our wine community pulled out the stops to showcase the wine, food and community of Sonoma County this weekend,＊ said Honore Comfort, co-executive director, Sonoma Wine Country Weekend.
＆Through collaboration, and a little bit of well-meaning competition, our vintners and growers set out to show their support for the children and families of this region and that resulted in our record-breaking success.＊
An online auction of additional lots is open for bidding until 12 September.