Published: May 06, 2010

Napa Valley Vintners Expand Global Reach of Renowned Charity Auction

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ST. HELENA, Calif. - (BUSINESS WIRE) - The Napa Valley Vintners (NVV) non-profit trade association announces the launch of its global charity fundraising initiative with the first of 4 one-week online wine auctions that begin on Sunday, May 9 at 8am PDT and running until the following Sunday, May 16 when the second round opens for bidding. The E-Auction of the association's annual fundraiser, Auction Napa Valley, is expanding this year to offer more than 150 lots of wine, wine collections, large format bottles and vintner-hosted excursions for bid over nearly four weeks.

"Bidding and winning in this online auction is a fantastic way to capture not only some of the best wine in the world, but to win excursions with winemakers to Napa Valley or around the world--all while raising needed funds for charity," said Stacey Bressler of Bressler Vineyards, who along with her husband Bob, are chairing the E-Auction.

New for 2010, there are now four online auctions, one each week and each with a varying theme. The first one week auction opens on Sunday, May 9, and closes the following Sunday as the next in succession opens--one each Sunday until the fourth and final closes on Friday, June 4 at the grand finale where online bidders from around the world will be vying in real-time for these incredible offerings with those in attendance at the Friday Taste Napa Valley event of Auction Napa Valley in Napa Valley. This year look for these key dates and the four themes of the online auction:

Week 1-Launching Sunday, May 9 and closing Sunday, May 16 at 6pm:
Cellar Treasures in Bottles and Mags

Week 2-Launching Sunday, May 16 and closing Sunday, May 23 at 6pm:
Jeroboams, Rehoboams, Methuselahs, and Nebuchadnezzars -- OH MY!

Week 3-Launching Sunday, May 23 and closing Sunday, May 30 at 6pm:
Unforgettable Days of Wine & Adventure

Week 4-Launching May 30, with the finale closing in tandem with the Napa Valley-based event on Friday, June 4 at 3pm:
Nights to Remember: Wine Food & Friends

"Now more than ever, Auction Napa Valley is the place to find and acquire some of the world's most prized wines. And who can beat that when it's for charity," said Auction Napa Valley Board President Bruce Cakebread of Cakebread Cellars. "Coming to Napa Valley to participate in the Auction is the ultimate wine lovers experience, but if you can't be here, you can still participate, capture some great wines and maybe even join a vintner for a more intimate Napa Valley experience in the future with one of these lots."

Around the World with Auction Napa Valley--Bidders without Borders

Another fun twist for 2010 is Bidders without Borders, a viral way for bidders to tell the world where they were and what they were doing while bidding on these terrific online auction lots. To participate, the bidder need only upload a photo of him/herself in the locale bidding from--from Paris to Istanbul or Fresno to Chicago--in pajamas with morning coffee or a ball gown at a gala--and include up to 130 characters of text to # AuctionNV. Each week of the E-Auction the NVV will invite the public to vote for their favorite photos and prizes will be awarded.

About Auction Napa Valley

Auction Napa Valley was established by the Napa Valley Vintners in 1981 as a means to generate needed funds for healthcare, youth service and affordable housing non-profits. Auction Napa Valley is the "must-attend" wine event in America, and has given $90 million since its inception. NVV member vintners and their wines have been the inspiration and backbone for charity wine auctions across the US. For more information on Auction Napa Valley and the non-profit programs it benefits, visit www.napavintners.com/anv

About the Napa Valley Vintners

The Napa Valley Vintners is the non-profit trade association responsible for promoting and protecting the Napa Valley appellation as the premier winegrowing region. From seven founding members in 1944, today the association represents nearly 400 Napa Valley wineries and collectively is a leader in the world-wide wine industry. To learn more about our region and its legendary American wines, visit www.napavintners.com

Click to View All 2010 E-Auction Lots

Click to Learn More About Auction Napa Valley