2023 Auction Lots

Six (6) cases of the winning bidders’ custom blended The Napa Valley Reserve wine

Quintessential Napa Valley experience for one (1) couple plus one (1) guest couple with The Napa Valley Reserve

Roundtrip, Business Class Airfare from Fort Lauderdale, Florida to San Francisco, California for two (2) couples
Roundtrip, airport transfers and private ground transportation to stated activities

One (1) year membership at The Napa Valley Reserve for one (1) couple

Three (3) nights’ accommodations at the Five-star Relais & Châteaux Meadowood Napa Valley for two (2) couples
Welcome dinner at The Napa Valley Reserve for one (1) couple plus up to four (4) additional guests hosted by Philip Norfleet, managing director of The Napa Valley Reserve, and his wife, Carol Norfleet
Custom wine-blending session at The Napa Valley Reserve and custom label
Vineyard tours and tastings coordinated by Philip Norfleet
Visit to Wing & Barrel Ranch, a private sporting club hosted by Philip Norfleet
One (1) round of golf at Mayacama Golf Club for two (2) couples
Dinner at the Three Michelin-starred The French Laundry for two (2) couples

If you’re a passionate wine consumer, you’ve probably harbored fantasies of becoming a Napa Valley vintner. If so, this is your opportunity—and the good news is that you can be as involved or detached as you’d like:

The winning couple of this lot instantly become vintners in one of Napa Valley’s most select vineyards. Not only are your vines planted and cared for, but your harvest can be vinified under the direction of the Harlan Estate winemaking team.

Located just outside the town of St. Helena and adjacent to the famed Meadowood resort, The Napa Valley Reserve is a private members-only winegrowing estate established by Bill Harlan, proprietor of Harlan Estate, BOND and Promontory. He completed the purchase of this prime 80-acre property in 2000. The Napa Valley Reserve caters to small community of wine enthusiasts, each of whom is assigned personal rows in the vineyard. Members can come to the winery, work the harvest and get involved in blending.

The winning couple will receive a one-year membership to The Napa Valley Reserve, along with six cases of their personal Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Even better, the winemaking is supervised by Harlan’s director of winegrowing, Bob Levy, as well as internationally famous consultant Michel Rolland and professional vineyard managers.

The state-of-the-art winery was designed by Howard Backen of Backen & Gilliam Architects, responsible for the construction of such premium wineries as Harlan Estate and BOND. The facility contains 45,000 square feet of cave space for both winemaking and storage.

You’ll be hosted at a private welcome dinner by Philip Norfleet, director at The Napa Valley Reserve. You’ll also have access to educational events throughout the year including comparative tastings, blending sessions and wine-and-food-pairing experiences, as well as the annual Harvest Weekend Celebration, usually held in late September. In addition, enjoy a round of golf at Mayacama Golf Club, a course that Philip Norfleet helped develop. Norfleet’s passion for wine evolved during the twenty years he was building and developing private golf clubs, both in the U.S. and abroad.

During your introduction to The Napa Valley Reserve, you’ll stay at the world-famous Meadowood Napa Valley, an intimate wine country hotel set on 250 acres that blends luxury and elegance with the pleasures of nature. Set amid the trees of the Meadowood estate, the 36 rooms and suites provide every possible amenity while offering guests an immersion into the Napa lifestyle.

What better way to sample the pleasures of that lifestyle than indulging in dinner at The French Laundry in Yountville, holder of Three Michelin Stars and regarded as one of the best restaurants in America? Chef Thomas Keller has received wide acclaim for his artful blend of local California produce, seafood and meat with traditional French culinary techniques. Diners are treated to a nine-course tasting menu that represents the best ingredients available in the market on that day. The French Laundry has trained notable chefs, such as Rene Redzepi of Noma, Grant Achatz of Alinea and Corey Lee of Benu.

This lot represents a unique opportunity to produce your personal Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, aided by some of California’s greatest winemakers. Raise your paddle and make it happen!

Insider's Info

Roundtrip, Business Class Airfare from Fort Lauderdale, Florida to San Francisco, California, roundtrip, airport transfers and ground transportation to stated activities are included. This trip is only available Sunday through Wednesday from December through July for mutually agreeable dates and based on availability. It is not available for purchase by wine and spirits retailers. Meals are included as stated above. Any additional meals and alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages are not included and are the responsibility of the winning bidders. Gratuities are not included and are at the discretion of the winning bidders. Original gift certificate for The Napa Valley Reserve and Meadowood must be presented at time of arrival. The Napa Valley Reserve membership expires February 4, 2024 and is non-transferrable.

Donor

The Napa Valley Reserve and Meadowood Napa Valley