October 15, 1999
California Wine Auction Raises $230,000
By Nicole Sforza

California wine lovers raised more than $230,000 for local health and children's charities at the fifth annual California Wine Auction, held Aug. 6 and 7. A crowd of 300 people convened at Rudy Hill Golf Club in Pleasanton, Calif., a change of venue from the four previous annual events, which were held at Wente Vineyards. "This gave us a fresh start and allowed us to have an indoor live auction, which we haven't had in the past," said auction director Michael Perry. Also different was the tightened number of auction lots on the block. "Last year, 150 lots were featured. This year, we had 115 items, and we increased our revenue by more than 25 percent," Perry said. "The bidding was incredible. The California Wine Auction has really establish.2 itself, and we're growing."

The event's "Hollywood premiere" theme drew celebrity chefs such as Jan Birnbaum of Catahoula Restaurant, in Calistoga, and Nancy Oakes of San Francisco's Boulevard to prepare the gala dinner's four course meal. Auctioneer David Reynolds roused the crowd. Bidders Stephen and Pamela Behm of Pleasanton placed the highest bid for the evening, spending $14,000–the highest price ever paid for a package at the California Wine Auction–for a nine-day trip to Austria, including a stay in Schloss Matzen, a castle in the Austrian Alps. Eighteen engraved bottles of Wente Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, featuring each of the holes at The Course at Wente Vineyards, brought $13,000, and a Newport, R.l., sailing trip earned $5,500.