He's been described as "an appealing, rambunctious puppy who is stealing your wallet" - and in the process - raising millions of dollars for charities and nonprofit organizations across the country. Auctioneer extraordinaire David Reynolds has no shame - or bounds - when it comes to taking money in the name of a good cause. The ebullient Englishman once sold a couple of large pizzas for $4,000 a pop.

No one can pick pockets quite as successfully or humorously as this inveterate ham. In the last 20 years, he has sold more wine, horses, art, jewelry, antiques and trips in charity auctions than any other auctioneer around. He is not above threatening to fine people for "spousal restraint" or entering a bid himself if he thinks a lot is too low.

As much entertainer as auctioneer, Reynolds can work a crowd like a stand-up comedian, dishing out one-liners in between bidding battles. Although he has sold everything from cows to quilts, his expertise lies in wine. He has dabbled in nearly every aspect of the industry from making it to selling it to talking about it on a radio show.

Today, he devotes his energy to fundraising auctions, netting as much as $1 million at events sponsored by vintners and growers in California's best-known wine-producing regions.