The Best Deals in Wine Country
I don't know what the parents come up with in Dairyland when they put together an auction for their private schools. Maybe a night of dinner and milk among the cows. In Lobsterland perhaps the parents looking to raise funds for their private schools auction huge lobster tails signed by the Fisherman that hauled in the big tail, but I'm really am not sure.
But what I do know is that these and other private school fund-raising auctions can't be nearly as cool, unique and amazing as those that are put on in wine country.
I was remined of this upon being cajoled into opening the catalog for the annual fundraising auction for the Young School located in Saint Helena in the middle of Napa Valley. This is a tiny little Montessori grade school that educates many a winemaker's son and daughter.
Check out these auction lots that will be sold to the highest bidder this Saturday. And be aware, you can bid on any of them by proxy by filling out THIS PROXY BIDDING FOR by Noon today.
A Heavenly Harem
The 12 Magnum Womens Winemakers lot features Young School current and alumni parents * and friends
Corison Winery 2003 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1.5L, signed
Corra 2008 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1.5L
Crocker & Starr 2008 St. Helena Cabernet Franc 1.5L
Drinkward Peschon 2007 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1.5L
Gallica 2008 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1.5L
Ladera Vineyards 2006 Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 1.5L
Long Meadow Ranch 2007 Napa Valley E.J. Church Cabernet Sauvignon 1.5L
Signed by Ashley Heisey (winemaker)
Meander Cellars 2006 Napa Cabernet Sauvignon 1.5L
Oakville East 2007 Oakville Cabernet Blend 1.5L
Selene Wines 2005 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1.5L
Spottswoode Estate Vineyard and Winery 2007 St. Helena Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1.5L
Storybook Mountain Vineyards 2006 Antaeus Napa Valley 1.5L
Minimum Bid: $1500.00
Celebrity Sticks
Stretched across the hillsides and valleys northeast of Santa Rosa, the signature walking course of Mayacama is one of Jack Nicklaus’ finest. Guided by caddies, golfers take to the meticulously groomed, 6,761-yard layout, consistently ranked among Golf Digest's "Top 100 Courses in America". Two of you will play a round with member Ehren Jordan, TYS parent and winemaker at Failla and Turley Wine Cellars, and vintner Rick Mirer, proprietor of Mirror Wine and former quarterback for the Oakland Raiders and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. The fellas will also treat for an on-course lunch, whether they’re losing or not. Tonight take home a magnum each of Failla Pinot Noir and Mirror Cabernet Sauvignon. Mutually agreeable date to be selected.
Mayacama Golf Two-some with Ehren Jordan & Rick Mirer
Failla 2009 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 1.5L
Mirror Wine 2007 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1.5L
Minimum Bid: $1000.00
Over Easy or Sunny Side Up?
Nothing beats fresh eggs out of your own backyard! This special custom chicken coop includes everything to make that experience a reality! Young School godparent and master craftsman Juan Mendoza will construct your coop (either 4×8' or 8×8') on your chosen site. Your coop comes complete with construction plans, 10 baby chicks, chick feed, a chicken care book, and lots of egg cartons!
Please plan to have your chicken coop built in 2011.
Lumber and Materials for Chicken Coop provided by Ledcor Construction.
Minimum Bid: $1200.00
Sevillano Sentries
Imagine the immediate gratification of an entry or backyard anchored by two beautiful 130-year-old Sevillano olive trees each with a trunk of 2 to 2.5 ft wide, and standing 12 feet tall with their canopies thinned. Umberto Chironi Lubelli, was born and raised in Puglia, the main olive-producing region of Italy, where he managed his family olive orchards. He started working in the California olive industry in 1994 to continue his family tradition and founded Olivi Nursery in 1999. For new cultivars and the latest farming techniques they work directly with the C.N.R., the Italian Government Research Center for olives. Umberto will deliver your trees anywhere in the Bay Area but planting is up to you.
Minimum Bid: $2000.00
Here's Looking at You Kid…
Don't let her get away! You don't need Paris when you've got 12 amorous ready-made ways to kindle romance in our own slightly seductive valley. This fabulous array of sybaritic scenarios includes overnight stays at three Napa Valley oases, ten romantic dinners for two in St. Helena and Yountville with Date Night Cabernet, and Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs to accompany them, seasonal flowers delivered to your door, movie and concert tickets and spa services for two. Perhaps a day together at the Meadowood spa and lunch followed by an early movie at the Cameo, or surprise her with flowers, dinner at Press and an overnight at Harvest Inn? A 24-hour getaway at Bardessono? Or howabout dinner and a fabulous Mondavi concert at a VIP vineyard table? For two of these dates, our own Ms. Naomi will offer her babysitting services!
Overnight stays at Bardessono (includes dinner), Harvest Inn (Sunday-Thursday, Expires March 31, 2012) and Solage (Excludes Holiday Periods, Sunday-Thursday)
Dinners at Ad Hoc, Bottega, Bouchon, Brix, Cook, Go Fish, Mustards Grill, Press, and Tra Vigne
A Pair of Robert Mondavi Concert Tickets and VIP dinner at a Vineyard Table
Tesoro flower arrangements (4)
Cameo Cinema movie tickets & snacks (3 pair)
Spa Services for two at Health Spa Napa Valley and Meadowood (includes lunch)
Napa and Sonoma Valley Bike Tours-Bike Rental and a Bicycle Tour for 2
Babysitting for 2 six-hour evenings by Miss Naomi!
Phifer Pavitt Wine 2007 Date Night Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 6 bottles (750ml)
Schramsberg Vineyards Napa Valley Blanc de Blancs 1.5L signed by the winemaker
Minimum Bid: $2000.00
These are just a few of the more than 100 lots available at The Young School auction.
Now, I've done my share of both helping organize as well as bid as private school auctions and here is the skinny: GREAT DEALS ABOUND!! While this is Napa Valley, it isn't the Napa Valley auciton where you are bidding against 1000 people. You are going to get some deals and some damn good ones too.
Again, check out the catalog here and download and send in your proxy bidding form here by Noon today.
That’s really wonderful.. ‘coz I really love wine. 🙂
Tom,
I can confirm that Dairyland has no such cool entries, but you do get a lot of sport tickets, sport memorabilia and that sort of thing. Need an autographed Payton Manning football in trade for a Heavenly Harem?
Also, the food is of the banquet chicken sort, and not nearly as cool as a crab boil or Lobster. For sure.