(NAPA VALLEY, CA) - Wine lovers descended on Napa the first weekend of June for Auction Napa Valley, one of the largest wine-focused charity auctions in the world. Blackbird Vineyards participated in this four-day event, which culminated in Saturday night's live auction and dinner at Meadowood Resort, raising more than $5.7 million for healthcare, youth services, and affordable housing non-profits in the Napa Valley.
In its third year of participation in the auction, Blackbird Vineyards raised $30,000 with a dual-hemisphere live lot that features an international wine experience with the Vines of Mendoza in Mendoza, Argentina.
Blackbird Vineyards' live lot - referred to as 38°N x 32°S - represents the latitude of the winegrowing regions of Napa Valley and Mendoza, Argentina. The winner of this auction lot will be presented with a three-year vertical collection of 2004-06 double magnums from Blackbird Vineyards, signed by winemaker Sarah Gott; two nights' accommodations for three couples at the Villagio Inn & Spa in Yountville, CA; spa treatments for six persons at the Villagio Spa; concierge arrangements for all travel needs while in Napa Valley provided by All Access Napa Valley; an intimate, wine-paired Argentine asado dinner for three couples at Ma(i)sonry Napa Valley; and a one-day Audi R8 driving experience for three couples.
In Mendoza, guests will be treated to a three-night experience personally hosted by Michael Evans and Pablo Gimenez-Riili, co-founders of The Vines of Mendoza. The experience will include accommodations at the renowned Park Hyatt Mendoza; programmed events; intimate gourmet lunches and dinners; and extraordinary wine-tastings at Mendoza's finest restaurants and wineries during the Masters of Food & Wine South America event to be held in February 2010.
Auction Napa Valley officially commenced on Thursday, June 4 with Blackbird Vineyards hosting an auction kick-off open house reception at Ma(i)sonry Napa Valley - "a life aesthetic." Guests had the opportunity to tour the sculpture garden and peruse the art, design, and furnishings gallery. Patrons enjoyed hors d'oeuvres prepared by chefs from the New York, Miami, and San Francisco's Mandarin Oriental hotels, paired with artisan wines from limited-production collective winery partners, including Brown Estate, Lail Vineyards, Pedras Wine Company, Renteria Wines and Tor Kenward Family Wines.
The next evening, Blackbird Vineyards' Proprietor Michael Polenske hosted an intimate dinner in conjunction with The Vines of Mendoza at Ma(i)sonry Napa Valley. The four-course wine-paired dinner was prepared by acclaimed chef Michael Chiarello of Bottega Restaurant and featured current and library wine selections from Blackbird Vineyards' portfolio of Proprietary Red Wines.
"Our global partners are invaluable when it comes to raising money for these worthy charities," says Blackbird Vineyards Proprietor Michael Polenske.
For more information about Blackbird Vineyards visit http://www.blackbirdvineyards.com/