Sonoma County wine Auctioneer John Curley.

Sneak Peek of Exciting Lots to Bid On at Sonoma County Wine Auction

By Best Wineries TeamPublished On: August 30th, 2023

Three-Day SCWA Event is September 14-16.

This year’s auction will be held at the La Crema Estate at Saralee’s Vineyard on September 16th.

Wine enthusiasts and collectors will soon have an opportunity to bid on rare, sought-after wine collections, exclusive dinners, and unique travel and culinary experiences.

The events begin Thursday evening, September 14 and include dinners, parties, and tastings, culminating in the September 16 auction. Proceeds benefit a variety of local nonprofit organizations. Get tickets to the festivities are available on the Sonoma County Wine Auction HERE .

Here are just a few examples of the Live Auction Lots:

Exciting Travel Experiences

Successful bidders on Lot 8 will celebrate the 35th anniversary of Patz & Hall with Founding Winemaker James Hall & Founder Anne Moses (this year’s SCWA Honorary Chairs) on an eight-night Azamara cruise exploring Croatia and the Amalfi Coast in August 2024 (for two couples).

*The eight-night Azamara cruise of Croatia and the Amalfi coast featured in lot #8 celebrates the 35th anniversary of Patz & Hall.*

Lot 12, “Wimbledon & Wine Country” includes tickets to Wimbledon for a weekend at the prestigious tennis tournament followed by a Sonoma County Wine Country experience with The Dalya Estate, 32 Winds, and Ernest Vineyards.

A trip to exotic Bhutan for the country’s first commercial wine grape harvest is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for successful bidders on Lot 16. The trip will include hiking the fabled Tiger’s Nest monastery, visiting the Golden Buddha, and more.

Closer to home, Lot 18 features a March 2024 Sonoma Epicurean weekend with SCWA Honoree Stuart Bryan and Pride Mountain Vineyards, with a series of events starting with a Vintner Dinner at Chef Douglas Keane’s Michelin-starred Cyrus Alexander Valley for four guests.

*Stuart Bryan and Pride Mountain Vineyards are this year’s SCWA Vintner Honorees.*

Then in November 2024, the group heads to Nashville for the Country Music Awards show.

Two couples will enjoy the ultimate Mardi Gras hospitality in New Orleans, including a premier VIP parade viewing party hosted by Flambeaux Wine—if they’re the successful bidders on Lot 22.

Culinary Adventures

Lot 11, “The Farmer, Butcher, Chef, and a Unicorn” provides for a party of ten to join 2023 Chef Honoree Duskie Estes and friends for a special insiders experience.

(L-R) John Stewart and SCWA Chef Honoree Duskie Estes, owners of Black Pig Meat Co., have spearheaded lot #11, a special evening of butchery lessons, dinner for 10 guests and “unicorn” wines from Three Sticks.

Dine poolside on dishes prepared by world famous chef Charlie Palmer after learning how to butcher from celebrity butcher, Dave the Butcher, of Victorian Farmstead.

With Lot 14, you can be one of 20 couples to buy into an extraordinary experience—a spectacular six-course dinner featuring the greatest wines and chefs of all time.

Vérité and Benovia Winery will host the dinner at a magnificent Howard Backen designed home, and renowned chefs will compete Iron Chef-style.

Guests will take home one bottle each of Vérité and Benovia wines.

*Chef Dustin Valette will compete Iron Chef-style against Chef Mark Stark in lot #14’s Greatest of All Time Dinner.*

Wine (of course!)

Lot 1 is a spectacular collection of 61 large format bottles from Sonoma County’s acclaimed vintners, including six magnums of 2019 Benovia Winery Pinot Noir, three magnums of 2018 Chalk Hill Estate Red Blend, six magnums of NV J Vineyards and Winery Cuvee 20 Sparkling Wine, and more.

Lot 10 consists of an impressive collection of magnificent wines thoughtfully curated by winemaker Zelma Long and her husband, winegrower Phil Freese.

*Wine icon Zelma Long and her husband, Phil Freese, have donated an epic collection of rare wines in lot #10.*

The top bidder on Lot 4 will enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour at Kosta Browne, lunch in the winery courtyard, and tasting of their Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines led by winemaker Julien Howsepian. (for ten guests)

Whether you’re seeking good company, delicious dining, rare wines or memorable experiences, the Sonoma County Wine Auction offers something for everyone.