Wine Enthusiasts Show Up in a Big Way at Auction Napa Valley 2025
The incredible results from this year's Auction Napa Valley came to a stunning close at Chandon Winery.
With passionate support from wine lovers around the world, Auction Napa Valley raised a remarkable $6.5 million to benefit Napa Valley Vintners’ Youth Wellness Initiative. This year’s event held June 6-7, marked 45 years of giving by Napa Valley Vintners, whose deep investments in the community continue to make a lasting impact.
“The results this year were just amazing,” said Robin Baggett, owner of Alpha Omega and co-chair of this year’s Auction Napa Valley alongside his wife Michelle Baggett. “There was a lot of love for our Napa Valley youth, for our wines and for the auction lot experiences we will be sharing. From those who come back year after year to our new friends who jumped right in, all showed up in a meaningful way. And we are very grateful.”
The event was a reflection of the region’s signature camaraderie and hospitality and highlighted the shared spirit of generosity by all involved.
Napa Valley Barrel Auction
Attended by nearly 2,000 people, including vintners, volunteers and guests, Friday’s Napa Valley Barrel Auction at the beautiful Louis M. Martini Winery set the tone for the weekend. It was a resounding success that was equal parts festive and heartfelt with a noticeable wave of new faces, younger participants and fresh energy that signals a promising future for the event and the wine industry.
Online bidding through Sotheby’s opened Tuesday, June 3, and saw strong participation right from the start. Every lot received a bid within the first hour, setting the stage for competitive action throughout the week. More than 700 registered bidders joined in, many of them for the first-time, driving record-level engagement that demonstrated a deep love for Napa Valley wines.
The top lots included offerings from Chappellet Vineyard, Pulido~Walker Estate Vineyard and Winery, Cardinale, Alpha Omega, Shafer Vineyards, Peter Michael Winery, B Cellars, Darioush, Seven Stones Winery and ELLMAN.
An exciting new element to the auction was the sold-out Mystery Wine Shop, which was a hit with guests and helped to raise an additional $50,000 for youth programs.
Live Auction and Dinner
Saturday night’s live auction at the elegant Chandon was nothing short of electric. Auctioneer Jacqueline Towers-Perkins brought energy and excitement from start to finish. She moved through the grounds, reading the crowd, working the tables and keeping the momentum going with a mix of humor and charm. Guests were clearly having fun, and more importantly, they were bidding with purpose.
The top five lots of the night were experiences curated by Antinori Napa Valley and Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, Alpha Omega and Bouchaine Vineyards, St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery and CHANEL, Darioush and The World, and Kenzo Estate, each one sparking enthusiastic competition.
One of the most powerful moments came near the end of the night. A group of Napa Valley youth took the stage to share how local programs have changed their lives. Their stories were heartfelt and moving. Inspired by what they heard, many guests contributed generously to the fund-a-need paddle raise, including sizable gifts from several individuals.
Contribute to the Future of Napa’s Youth
For more than four decades, Auction Napa Valley has united the wine community around a shared purpose. This year’s proceeds will support critical youth wellness programs across Napa County including access to wellness care on school campuses, mental health services, after-school enrichment and summer learning programs.
“Thanks to the long-standing investment by Napa Valley Vintners, we’ve been able to deepen our impact in the community, giving thousands of young people a safe place to learn, grow and thrive. It’s a partnership that has truly changed young people’s lives for the better,” said Jaime Gallegos, Interim Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Napa Valley.
The NVV’s multi-year focus on youth, in partnership with trusted area nonprofits, is making a tangible impact in the lives of young people throughout the region.
Save the Date for 2025
Wine enthusiasts are invited to mark their calendars for next year’s Auction Napa Valley, taking place June 5-6, 2026. Darioush, Shahpar and Sally Khaledi of Darioush winery will serve as honorary chairs of the auction in 2026.
Auction Napa Valley is the signature event of Collective Napa Valley, the Napa Valley Vintners’ year-round philanthropy program. Coming up next: the Fine Wine & Experiences online auction in October 2025. Then, in January 2026, The Boca Raton Artisans of Wine & Food returns.
