Wine Trip to California for Four
Spend six nights enjoying California's extraordinary natural beauty and remarkable cultural attractions including:
• Accommodations for six nights
(Two nights San Francisco Westin (first & last),
(two nights Napa Guest House, two nights Napa Marriott)
• Admission and Private Tour at COPIA
• Tour and dinner at The Wine Spectator Restaurant
• Tour and tasting at Anderson Conn Valley
• Tour and tasting at Grgich Hills Cellar
• Tour and tasting at Far Niente Napa Valley Wine Estate
• Tour and tasting at Nickel & Nickel Winery
• Private tour, tasting and lunch at Joseph Phelps Vineyards
• Tour, tasting and private picnic lunch at Seavey Vineyards
• Tour and tasting at Silver Oak Cellars
• Tour and tasting at Staglin Family Vineyard
• Dinner for six at the Willow Creek Bistro, Ritz Carlton Aspen Highlands
Wine Spectator's Fifty Top Napa Cabs
Great wineries prove themselves again and again, and Napa Cabernet is fast becoming California's greatest collectible. To discover the best of the best, Wine Spectator waded through thousands of Napa Cab reviews from 14 vintages (1990-2003), choosing a starting vintage of 1990 because that point ushered in the most dynamic period in Napa's Cabernet-based winemaking history. To be eligible for Wine Spectator's list, the winery had to have made the wine in at least 10 of the 14 vintages, and to have been both reviewed and rated by Spectator. Wine Spectator noted that, "These 14 vintages constitute an incredible run of quality, with nine vintages rating outstanding . . . and five rating classic . . ." Wine Spectator concluded that when it comes to Cabs, wineries enjoy similar levels of success regardless of whether their wines are single-vineyard, estate-bottled or blended. This spectacular lot includes one bottle of each of Spectator's Top 50 Napa Cabs. They will be the centerpiece for any cab loving collector's wine cellar.
Perfectly Perfect Wines (All Rated 100)
These wines offer extraordinary elegance married to awesome levels of richness, and have unbelievable intensity, balance, and overall harmony. All are rated 100 by either Robert Parker or Wine Spectator and would be a great addition to anyone's wine collection. The lot includes one 750 ml bottle each except the Taylor Fladgate at .375:
• 2001 Rieussec (WS 100)
• 2000 Lafite-Rothschild (P 100)
• 1982 Leoville Las Cases (P 100)
• 1994 Taylor Fladgate .375 (WS 100)
• 1989 La Mission (P 100)
• 2002 Paul Hobbs ToKalon (P 100)
• 1955 La Mission Haut Brion (P 100)
• 2000 Pavie (P 100)
Dinner with the Director
The intimate and elegant Heritage Classic Foundation Room will be the background for a marvelous dinner with "A Chorus Line" director and Island favorite, Casey Colgan and music director, Jasper Grant. This pre-show dinner for two tables of eight guests will be a great way to kick off that one singular sensation and find out the scoop from those in the know. Your private dinner party will be pair outstanding wines selected by the Wine Celebration 2007 Committee with delicious courses catered by the Westin. Planned for Saturday, June 23, 2007 prior to the performance of "A Chorus Line," the Arts Center will help coordinate this evening to remember.
Roaring Fork Club and Aspen - Three Nights for Six at Each
The high bidder and five guests will enjoy a 3-night stay at the Roaring Fork Club - ordinarily available to members only with membership by invitation only - and 3 nights in Aspen provided by ResortQuest. The ultimate in vacation relaxation can be found in the heart of Colorado at the Roaring Fork Club, along the Roaring Fork River and a stone's throw from Aspen. A spectacular lodge, 48 luxurious log cabins, and a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course blend gently into Roaring Fork Club's 282 acres. Your Rocky Mountain High continues in Aspen, one of Colorado's favorite year-round resort areas, which offers an interesting history, abundant outdoor recreation and cultural activities, pleasant climate and beautiful natural scenery.
• 3 Nights at Roaring Fork Club
• Two Rounds of Golf on the Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course
• 3 Nights in a 3 bedroom property in Aspen
Beringer Private Reserve - Two Signed, Etched 9 L Bottles
This historic lot, believed to be the only one ever assembled, pairs Beringer's 1977 Private Reserve Cabernet first vintage with the 2002 25th anniversary vintage, both in etched 9L format bottles and signed by their respective winemakers. Parker rated the 2002 at 94 points in December 2005, saying it is delicious now but promises to age gorgeously for 15-20 years. A Private Reserve has been produced every year since 1977 with the exception of 1979 when it was so hot that the Chabot vineyard grapes went into photosynthetic shock and shut down before the grapes were ripe.
Costa Rica Getaway for Fourteen, with a Staff of Seven!
The winning bidder and thirteen guests will spend an incredible week-long holiday in Costa Rica at Palacio Tropical, a majestic oceanfront estate nestled among the lush tropical treasures of Costa Rica's Cabo Blanco Reserve. This beautiful estate features a private pool with a natural waterfall, guest access to the world renowned Tango Mar Resort and a private pristine beach. And, the full time house staff at Palacio Tropical will treat you like royalty.
Palacio Tropical boasts 7 elegantly appointed bedroom suites with private baths; fully-equipped modern kitchen; high definition TV with surround sound; audio system with speakers throughout the villa and pool area; large pool with patio bar and Jacuzzi; sun decks, patios, and balconies galore; and so much more. This trip will accommodate 14. Based on availability, must be used by April 30, 2008.
Dinner for Ten - The Wine Cellar, South Carolina Yacht Club
Enjoy an evening that few have had the privilege to experience…The Wine Cellar in The South Carolina Yacht Club is the most private dining venue on Hilton Head Island. Each of your courses will be perfectly paired with a wine. Your private server will pamper you with the service for which The South Carolina Yacht Club is famous. Painted to look like the Wine Caves in France, the Wine Cellar is the actual cellar of The South Carolina Yacht Club. For the foodie and the wine lover -- this auction item is for you! Bid high for this evening and win two ways, by raising funds for The Arts Center and by creating an evening where the memories will live forever! Jackets required.
1982 Bordeaux First Growth Lot
There are five great First Growth Chateaux and this exceptional lot includes one bottle of each 1982 vintage. This is a truly spectacular First Growth sampler and is a testament to the centuries of blending that has produced the world's finest wines.
The lot includes:
• 1982 Lafite-Rothschild
• 1982 Latour
• 1982 Margaux
• 1982 Mouton-Rothschild
• 1982 Haut-Brion
Case of 1982 Bordeaux
One of the great vintages of the last century, these are the most complex and profound wines produced since the classic 1961 vintage. Wines from this vintage have stood the test of time, recently emerging from their adolescence to be counted among the very finest of the 20th Century. Richly fruited and powerfully constituted, these wines are full-bodied and lush, with layers of ripe fruit, superb balance, moderate tannins, and a long, beautifully-focused finish. This delightful lot includes Leoville Las Cases, given a perfect 100 rating by Robert Parker.
• La Lagune
• Ducru-Beaucaillou
• Feytit Clinet
• Lynch Bages
• Figeac
• Gloria
• Leoville Las Cases
• Haut Batailley
• Leoville Poyferre
• Gran Puy Lacoste
• Haut Bages Liberal
Heitz Cellar Trailside Vertical
This 12-bottle vertical of Heitz Cellar Trailside Vineyard (3 each 1998-2001) epitomizes the capabilities of the rich, lush fruit of the Cabernet Sauvignon varietal. Beautiful and delicious wines from start to finish, this Lot includes 3 bottles each:
• 1998 Heitz Cellar Trailside Vineyard
• 1999 Heitz Cellar Trailside Vineyard
• 2000 Heitz Cellar Trailside Vineyard
• 2001 Heitz Cellar Trailside Vineyard
Case of 1990 Bordeaux
The third year in a triumvirate of excellent vintages, 1990 produced rich, age worthy wines from across the Bordeaux communes. This lot includes some stunning bottles, such as Bruno Prats' 1990 Cos d'Estournel which he believes is the finest wine he ever produced and was given a 95 rating by Robert Parker. Pure and full-bodied, this concentrated wine conceals more tannin than was originally revealed. Another irresistible wine, the 1990 Chateau Pichon Baron is spicy and rich, and the influence of oak comes on in the finish, which is very long and satisfying.
• Pichon Baron (2 bottles)
• Grand-Puy-Lacoste
• Pichon Lalande
• Leoville Poyferre
• La Mission Haut Brion
• La Dominique
• Sociando Mallet
• Lynch Bages
• Gruaud LaRose
• Cos d'Estournel
Case of 2000 Bordeaux
The "best-of-the-best" drumbeat started in 2001 when wine critic Robert Parker first tasted the 2000 Bordeaux in barrels, calling it "a phenomenal year that might turn out to be one of the greatest vintages Bordeaux has ever produced." A year later, Parker tasted the wines again and fulfilled his own prediction, saying, "This is the greatest vintage Bordeaux has ever produced." The March 31, 2003, Wine Spectator dubbed it "the vintage of a lifetime."
Parker rated 3 of these wines as Extraordinary and the remaining ones as Outstanding.
• Lynch Bages
• Cos D'Estournel
• Druaud Larose
• Pape Clement
• Quinault L'Enclos
• Haut Brion
• Smith Haut Lafite
• Sociando-Mallet
• Brane Cantenac
• Calon Segur
• Pavie Decesse
Montrose
Red Piano Art Gallery Cocktail Party
One of Hilton Head Island's premiere art galleries opens its doors to you and forty of your closest family members and friends. Established in July 1969 near the Sea Pines Ocean Gate, the gallery is now located across the street from the Arts Center on William Hilton Parkway, piano and all.
An Italian themed evening from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. will feature Italian Antipasto freshly prepared by Italian-born and trained chef Pino of La Famiglia to compliment Italian wines selected and provided by the Wine Celebration Steering Committee. Must be used before December 31, 2007.
Weekend at The Inn at Palmetto Bluff for Three Couples
The Inn at Palmetto Bluff, world renowned Auberge Resorts only east coast property, was honored in October by Conde Nast Traveler readers as the number 2 best resort in the United States. Palmetto Bluff Resort is the embodiment of all that is graceful, comforting and romantic about South Carolina. The stunning accommodations are designed in the historic Carolina Lowcountry style, with an 18-hose Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course, a waterfront restaurant, sports complex and a world-class spa on site. Three lucky couples will enjoy a weekend of relaxation, distinctive cuisine and stimulating adventure including:
• Two nights in Village Home #3
• One round of golf on the may River Golf Club Course
• Evening croquet and wine reception at Wilson Lawn and Racquet Club
• Ninety minute cruise aboard Palmetto Bluff's antique yacht, Grace
• In-home chef's dinner
Chef's Wine Dinner for Ten at Michael Anthony's
Executive Chef Michael Cirafesi will prepare a five-course wine dinner for ten, presenting Continental Cuisine complemented with wines, but with one small twist! For years, it has been debated whether French or Italian wines are the ultimate food wines. You will get the opportunity to judge for yourself. Your dinner will be personally prepared for you by Chef Michael at the Chef's Table in the private kitchen of Michael Anthony's new culinary center and you will be served by your own personal server and sommelier. Each course will be presented with both a French and an Italian wine which have been chosen by Chef Michael to pair perfectly with his creations.
Multi-Stoned Turquoise Earrings by Scott Diffrient
Scott Diffrient, a forerunner in the world of contemporary beadmaking and a self-taught jewelry designer and lapidary, has influenced the course of his craft. Diffrient is one of a small number of artists in this country dedicated to the painstaking process of hand-cutting beads. Distaining gem shows and gem dealers, he buys directly from miners and often does his own mining. Working mostly with turquoise from the Nevada area, he feels strongly about using domestic turquoise, with the exception of some high-grade Chinese varieties. He chooses his materials for their quality, structure and character - literally envisioning the shape and size of each bead by looking at a chunk of rough stone in his hand. He says, "Every stone has a map in it. A good stonecutter follows that map." Diffrient's artistry is clear in these 18K/22K multi-stone earrings. They are simply stunning.
Heitz Cellars Martha's Vineyard
Released in February 2006, The 2001 Martha's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is an impressive, opulent wine with superb balance. The rich, intense color catches your eye immediately as the wine is poured into the glass. Swirl it, and take pleasure in the distinctive and enduring minty aroma that is so characteristic of this celebrated proprietary clone. There is nothing like a Martha's Vineyard Cabernet - tried and true, it is a remarkable treasure from the Napa Valley. This lot includes 1 case of 750ml bottles, 2001 Martha's Vineyard Cabernet.
Pichon Lalande Vertical
Since the end of the 1970's, the reputation of Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande has acquired the status of a "super second" and a "nearly first", in light of the consistency of its quality. Chateau Pichon Longueville remains faithful to the tradition of hand picking during the harvests. Every year more than one hundred people - often the same families from Andalusia - pick the grapes in accordance with their maturity and the age of the parcel of land. Chateau Pichon Longueville is now considered among the 10 best in Bordeaux, and this vertical represents some delightful vintages, including one bottle each: 1966, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1989, 1990, 1995, 1996, 1999.
Progressive Dinner for Eight with Limo Service
Don't miss this incredible gastronomic crawl for the true food lover with delightful courses at some of the island's best Lowrey Group restaurants paired with wines from Raymond Vineyards. Your evening begins as you board the limousine and enjoy sparkling wine on the way to your first stop: the Old Fort Pub on the Waterway for a glorious sunset, aperitif and First Course. The Second Course will take you to the Ocean Grill on the Harbour followed by a trip to C.Q's Harbourtown for the Third Course. A stop at Antonio's will end the evening with dessert and coffee.
Available September 15 to December 15, 2007 or January 1 to March 15, 2008 (excluding Valentines Day).
Providence/New Zealand Vintner's Lot
"Matakana is just an hour's drive north of Auckland. It is here in his micro-cellars that Jim Vuletic conjures up magical red wines from Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Malbec grapes. The elegant texture of these reds numbers them amongst the best in the world, not just in New Zealand," says Paula Bosch, Sommilier, Tantris Restaurant, Munich.
Providence has put together a wonderful lot of large format bottles including two imperials (6 litre bottles) one Vintage 2002 Providence, the other 2000 Providence , and two double magnums (3 litre bottles) one Vintage 2000 Providence and the other Vintage 1998 Providence Private Reserve.
Eight Wonderful 80's Bordeaux
Few things in the world are more alluring than a glass of Bordeaux. This extraordinary lot features eight bottles from the highly rated 1980s.
The 1983 Cos d'Estournel is characterized as having powerful aromas dominated by animal scents; very ripe and very agreeable and was given a 95 Wine Spectator rating. Château Petrus is the most celebrated wine of Pomerol, and in fact the world. Wine Spectator rated this vintage a 93. The 1985 Château Léoville Barton may turn out to be a remake of the splendid 1953. This exceptional Mouton Rothschild is one of the biggest Médocs of the vintage, the dense garnet/plum-colored 1988 Mouton has an attractive aroma of Asian spices, dried herbs, minerals, coffee, black currants, and sweet oak. The grand wines in this lot include:
• 2 bottles 1983 Château Cos d"Estournel
• 2 bottles 1985 Château Petrus
• 1 bottle 1985 Château Leoville Barton
• 1 bottle 1988 Mouton Rothschild
• 2 bottles 1989 Château Leoville Barton
Silver Oak Cellars Vertical with Signed 5L
This elegant lot includes a combination of the Alexander Valley and Napa Valley appellations including a 5L bottle of the 1999 Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, signed by the winemaker David Baron, presented in a wooden box. A treasure for your wine cellar!
• 1991 Alexander Valley - 1 bottle
• 1995 Alexander Valley - 2 bottles
• 1996 Alexander Valley - 2 bottles
• 1999 Alexander Valley - 1 bottle
• 1997 Alexander Valley - 1 bottle
• 1999 Napa Valley - 1 bottle
• 1999 Alexander Valley - 1 5L bottle, signed by winemaker
• 2001 Alexander Valley
• 2002 Alexander Valley - 1 bottle
Life Is A Cabernet - Great California Cabs 1997 & 2001
When it comes to California's biggest red, there's really no competition: It's Cabernet Sauvignon.
In November 2000 Wine Spectator's James Laube gave the 1997 vintage an overall rating of 98 points, or classic, on Wine Spectator's 100-point scale.
At the February 2003 barrel tasting preceding the Premiere Napa Valley barrel auction, held annually for members of the wine trade, winemakers were buzzing about the 2001 Cabernets. Ed Sbragia, senior VP and wine master for Beringer, was quoted as saying of the 2001vintage, "In the years I've been making wine, this is one of the best. I'd rank it with '87, '91, '94 and '97." The 54 winning bidders apparently agreed. Of the top 10 lots, nine were 2001 Cabernet Sauvignons.
All of these memorable Cabernets are rated at 90 points or above, ready to drink now or enjoy for the next several years.
1 bottle each 1997 vintage: • Chateau St. Jean Cinq Cépages
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1 bottle each 2001 vintage: • Pride Mountain Vineyard Cabernet
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2003 Colgin "IX Estate" Napa Valley Red, 1.5 Liter Bottle
Wine connoisseur and critic, Robert Parker considers IX Estate, "as close to a viticultural nirvana as I have ever seen." (The Wine Advocate, Issue 150) The twenty acre vineyard in the Pritchard Hill area of Napa Valley has been carved out of the rugged, rocky terrain of a one hundred and twenty acre hillside parcel that comprises IX Estate and is also home to Colgin's gravity fed winemaking facility. The 2003 Colgin IX Estate Napa Valley Red Wine is a blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot.
3 Liter 1995 Château Mouton Rothschild
In the Bordeaux Book, 3rd edition, Robert Parker gave this vintage a rating of 96 based on his January 1997 tasting and went on to say, "This wine is evolving into one of Mouton-Rothschild's greatest vintages. . . The wine is layered, with extraordinary depth, richness, glycerin, and length. This is undoubtedly the greatest Mouton since the 1986, with a more precocious, up-front character than that wine. . ." He anticipated its maturity between 2005-2030.
Opus One Vertical
Without a doubt one of California's best and most high profile wines, Opus One was a joint venture announced in 1980 between renowned California vintner Robert Mondavi and the late Baron Phillippe de Rothschild of France. The first vintage (1979) was released in 1983 at the then unprecedented price of $50 a bottle. With the acquirement of Robert Mondavi by Constellation Brands in fiscal 2006, this Opus One collection is particularly special as all the vintages were bottled prior to the acquisition. This incredible vertical includes vintages from 1987 to 2000.
The 12 bottle Opus One lot includes 1 bottle each: 1987, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000
Dominus Vertical
Made solely from grapes grown on the historic Napanook Vineyard in the heart of Napa Valley, Dominus is the Proprietary Red Wine produced by Christian Moueix and his team. Representing everything wonderful about Dominus, this lot includes a bottle of the 1983 first vintage, which was not actually the first vintage released. Because 1983 growing season produced wines with slow-aging tannins, the partners broke with tradition and offered the 1984 vintage as their first release. This lot includes these wonderful Dominus vintages ready to enjoy now:
• 1983, 1 bottle
• 1987, 3 bottles
• 1989, 1 magnum
• 1992, 1 bottle
• 1994, 1 bottle
• 1995, 1 bottle
• 1996, 1 bottle
• 1997, 1 bottle
First Growth Lot - A Taste of Greatness
There's no getting around it. There's just something special about Bordeaux First Growths and this lot features three bottles each of First Growth Chateau Haut-Brion and Chateau Mouton-Rothschild. The lot includes 1 bottle each Chateau Haut-Brion (1971, 1978, and 1979) and 3 bottles of the 1988 Chateau Mouton-Rothschild.
One Week at Sun Valley for Six
There can only be one original, and since 1936 Sun Valley has held that distinction. Sun Valley’s nearly 1 million acres of awe inspiring wilderness promise long sunny days, bright starry nights and a resort experience that your family will cherish for generations. With a multitude of outdoor and indoor recreational activities, your party of six will enjoy 1 one week stay in a beautiful three story town home (3 brd/3bath, sleeps 6) at the base of the mountain, during July or August 2007. You’ll be a short walk from Ketchum where you can enjoy art galleries, fabulous restaurants and night life.