Create. Reveal. Evolve.

Charles Krug to Host Napa Valley Barrel Auction

5 May, 2014



St. Helena, California — Charles Krug will open its doors to wine lovers from around the world during Auction Napa Valley on Friday, June 6th, when the winery will host the Napa Valley Barrel Auction and Marketplace on the grounds of their historic and recently renovated property. In the comfort of the winery’s spacious, newly renovated temperature-controlled barrel cellar, guests will taste rare samples from 100 Napa Valley vintners directly from the barrel and participate in the spirited bidding on these limited, custom-designed wines. The top ten bidders on each lot will secure a future release case of the wine they discover that day.

The Marketplace extravaganza will take place just outside on the winery’s picturesque, tree-lined promenade, where dozens of Napa Valley wineries will pour current releases alongside over 40 of the region’s most acclaimed restaurants and culinary innovators. This popular and highly anticipated portion of the event is also where prospective bidders can preview the extraordinary lots that will be offered in the Live Auction on Saturday.

2014 marks a momentous year for Charles Krug. With the recent grand opening of their Howard Backen-designed Redwood Cellar Hospitality Center, the heralded release of the estate’s 150th vintage, and the excitement surrounding Peter Mondavi Sr.’s centennial this November, the family-owned winery designed their auction lot to reflect the winery’s new modern aesthetic while maintaining the historic gravitas that defines Charles Krug.

With a focus on multi-generational legacies, three generations of the Peter Mondavi Sr. family have united with the six-generational Royal Asscher diamond family to celebrate the wine legend’s 100th birthday year and Royal Asscher’s 160th anniversary. Winning bidders (two couples) will experience a once-in-a-lifetime trip to London that includes three nights at the iconic 5-star The Savoy, one of the world’s most alluring historic hotels (it originally opened its doors in 1889). The Savoy has played host to royalty, world leaders, and legends of the stage and screen. Brilliantly reinvented for the 21st century, old-fashioned glamour continues to sparkle with a new luster.

The London trip also includes dinner at one of London’s top restaurants with both the Peter Mondavi Sr. and Asscher families, a behind the scenes tour of the McLaren Technology Centre (for a day both James Bond and Mario Andretti would envy) and a private tour of the Tower of London, featuring the Crown Jewels and the Asscher family’s most significant achievement: the Cullinan Diamond.

To ‘crown’ it all off, the lot also includes an iconic 9L bottle of rare Charles Krug wine crafted by three generations of the family as well as a one-of-a-kind pendant with 100 floating diamonds, sapphires and rubies designed by sixth generation family member Lita Asscher, aptly named the Peter Mondavi Sr. 100th Birthday Celebration pendant (valued at $19,500). 

Auction Napa Valley is Napa Valley Vintners’ annual community fundraiser that for more than 30 years has utilized the worldwide reputation of Napa Valley wines and the scenic beauty of the region to raise funds to enhance the health and well-being of the Napa Valley community. To date, Napa Valley Vintners has invested more than $120 million from Auction Napa Valley proceeds in Napa County nonprofit organizations.

A limited number of three and single-day packages to Auction Napa Valley are still available. To purchase tickets, visit auctionnapavalley.org.

About Charles Krug Winery
The Charles Krug Winery, Napa Valley's oldest winery, was established by Prussian immigrant Charles Krug in 1861. In 1943, Italian immigrants Cesare and Rosa Mondavi purchased the historic property, which remains a family-owned winery producing estate-driven Napa Valley wines. Built on a foundation of family values, hard work and European winemaking tradition, the winery offers a portfolio of Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux-styled wines. The winery is under the direction of Peter Mondavi Jr., who along with his brother Marc Mondavi, stewards the family business passed to them by their father, legendary Napa Valley wine icon Peter Mondavi Sr., who continues to serve as President and CEO. The family is now proudly welcoming members of the fourth generation to the business, continuing a legacy started almost 70 years ago and setting a foundation for generations to come.

For press inquiries and images, please contact Kimberly Charles or Alexandra Fondren at Charles Communications Associates at press@charlescomm.com or 415.701.9463. 

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