2025 Sonoma County Barrel Auction Raises Over $328,000
Event Held for the First Time at the Landmark Vineyards Hop Kiln Estate.
Sonoma County Vintners (SCV) is pleased to announce that over $328,000 was raised at the 2025 Sonoma County Barrel Auction (SoCoBA), presented by American AgCredit and hosted at the Landmark Vineyards Hop Kiln Estate on Friday, May 2, 2025.
The auction featured 59 unique barrel lots ranging from 5 to 20 cases from 63 participating Sonoma County vintners. The proceeds will assist in creating marketing programs and initiatives that support the Sonoma County wine trade and community.
Three hundred guests attended the auction day, including trade and media guests, partners, participating vintners and celebrated honorees. Wine trade from across the United States traveled to Sonoma County for the auction events, along with international guests representing accounts from Norway, Denmark and Japan. Proxy bidding was offered during the live auction, where those who could not attend in person were assigned a representative to bid on their behalf.
The highest selling barrel auction lot of the day was the 2024 “Fredson Ranch” Cabernet Sauvignon, a 20-case lot from Ridge Vineyards, selling for $27,000. The second two highest lots were the 2024 Pinot Noir named “4.0” from Williams Selyem and the Silver Oak 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot blend named “Essence of Estate” which were both 20-case lots that sold for $24,000.
The top lots of the day with the highest per-bottle sale price included “Rock Arch,” a 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon from Pride Mountain Vineyards, selling at $162 per bottle, followed by 2024 “The Ringmaster” Pinot Noir from CIRQ at $142 per bottle and “First Light,” a 2024 Pinot Noir from Emeritus Vineyards at $133 per bottle.
Before the bidding got underway, the 2025 Sonoma County Barrel Auction Honorees were recognized on stage. George Christie, Founder and CEO of Wine Industry Network and Partner of Saini Vineyards, presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to David Hirsch, Founder of Hirsch Vineyards and spoke of his achievements. “His early attempts at biodynamics and site-specific farming shaped a generation of winemakers,” said Christie.
Mr. Hirsch could not attend the ceremony but his daughter, Jasmine Hirsch, recorded a video that was shared with the audience. “People told my father that he was crazy to plant his grapes within sight of the ocean,” said Jasmine Hirsch. “The work that he’s done here, carving this place out of the wilderness, is a testament to incredible dedication, his vision, and his hard work. But it would not have been possible without the support of our community, which is truly extraordinary, our friends, our employees, our customers, and many of you sitting here today.”
Hank Wetzel, Founder and Family Partner at Alexander Valley Vineyards, was honored as the 2025 Sonoma County Icon and introduced on stage by George Christie. “I spent a good 15 years out in the marketplace…and I want to thank the buyers, restaurants and wine shops across the country for listening, tasting and becoming huge customers of ours over time,” said Wetzel. “And I would like to thank my wife, Linda, who has been on many sales trips with me and has been instrumental in the success of the winery.”
The 2025 Sonoma County Innovators — David Stare, Founder of Dry Creek Vineyard; Kim Stare Wallace, President; and Don Wallace, Partner — were announced next. When starting the vineyards and winery, Stare was advised against growing Sauvignon Blanc in Dry Creek Valley. “But since my favorite French wine has always been Sauvignon Blanc and Fumé Blanc, I planted Sauvignon Blanc,” said Stare to a laughing audience. Stare Wallace added, “Do you know what I am most proud of? The fact that we are all standing here together with our family intact, through all of the ups and downs of being in the wine business over the last 53 years. We’ve managed to stay 100% family owned and operated.”
As a special recognition for their achievements, each of the honorees also received a special congressional proclamation from Congressman Mike Thompson, also giving the proclamations on behalf of Congressman Jared Huffman, who could not attend.
The SoCoBA events kicked off with a tasting preview event on May 1 at Bacchus Landing. The event offered trade buyers the opportunity to speak with the vintners, taste barrel samples and learn more about the auction lots before the live auction the following day.
Next year’s SoCoBA is planned for April 30 – May 1, 2026.
