Sun Valley Wine Auction

For the 3rd consecutive year, Ed and I poured our Vineyard {511} Diamond Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon at the Sun Valley Center for the Arts Wine Auction. Held in Sun Valley, Idaho, the Auction (in its 37th year) is a celebration of wine in support of the Sun Valley Center for the Arts' year-round art education programs.

The Center provides arts, music and theater education to 4,000 students in Blaine County with the money it raises each year from the Wine Auction, Vintner Dinners, and its Vine & Dine. Its Scholarship Program has awarded more than $850,000 in the past 20 years to Blaine County students and educators for advanced study.

At the Gala, guests generously raised their paddles to bid on auction lots generously donated by avid supporters of the Center's mission. We shared our Vineyard {511}  Cab, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir at our table and bid from there.

                                                                                                                                             

One live auction package donated by fellow Calistoga vintner Suzanne Phifer Pavitt inluded four nights in Music City Nashville with visits to various museums and musical venues. The trip was so popular that Suzanne donated it 3 more times so that 4 bidders in total won the package reaping a wopping $96,000 for the Center. Another auction package was a trip to New Orleans, that included a private-catered dinner prepared by Emeril Lagasse.

The next day and evening, we poured our wine there.

                                                                           

But there was more Auction activities. We rode a gondala and then a chair lift to appreciate the beauty of Sun Valley from above.

                                                                          

And we hiked Sun Valley

                                                                         

to appreciate it up close.

                                                                        

                                                                        

Can't wait for the Sun Valley Wine Auction 2019!