“Bids at Premiere Napa Valley this Saturday raised more than $3.9 million, according to a press release from the Napa Valley Vintners (NVV).

The group holds the annual event in support of their work to “promote, protect and enhance the Napa Valley,” according to NVV.

This year’s auction featured 201 lots, bidding on which lasted almost four hours. The night’s highest bid was placed on a five-case (60 bottle) lot of 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon from Rudd Estate, a whopping $2,000 per bottle. The bid, from Swedish buyer Gregor Greber, was said to be a tribute to Leslie Rudd, a storied vintner and entrepreneur for whom Rudd Estate was a central focus of his sprawling portfolio of investments in Napa Valley. Rudd died in the spring of 2018.

A 20-case (240 bottle) lot of red wine from Darioush received the second-highest bid of the night at $115,000. Also notable was a five-case lot of Cabernet Sauvignon from Shafer Vineyards, which, at $85,000, was seen as a tribute to John Shafer, a philanthropist, vintner and a central figure of Napa’s wine industry who died last March at the age of 94.

Premiere Napa Valley in past years has raised as much as $6 million through the course of a single auction, as it did in 2015, when it set its fundraising record. The invitation-only event regularly draws prestigious winemakers, wine critics and wine buyers, some of whom come from overseas to attend.”

Sarah Klearman, Napa Valley Register

“For more information about the release of Premiere Napa Valley 2020 wines and to view and download images visit premierenapavalley.com. Highlights from the week can be found on social media with the hashtag #PNV20.

About the Napa Valley Vintners

The Napa Valley Vintners nonprofit trade association has been cultivating excellence since 1944 by inspiring its 550 members to consistently produce wines of the highest quality, to provide environmental leadership and to care for the extraordinary place they call home. Learn more at napavintners.com”

Contact: Tia Butts, Media Contractor - 707.260.5620, tbutts@napavintners.com