How much would you pay for 26 magnums of Napa Valley wine, three dinners, eight lunches, accommodations, a plane ride and tours, tastings and blending sessions for four couples?

At the Napa Valley Wine Auction in early June, a bidder from Newport Beach claimed the lot for $320,000.

The Auction is a bash like no other. It's a three-day whirlwind of food and wine, fashion and fun. More than 2,000 couples spend $2,500 to attend all the auction and hospitality events. This year's “Cirque du Vin: Revelry in the Vineyards” theme brought stilt walkers, clowns, jugglers and fire dancers into the middle of the celebrations. But while the glitz receives the most attention, the purpose of the Auction is to raise funds to improve Napa County health care, affordable housing and youth development programs. To that end, this year's 22nd annual event raised $6.12 million.

Last year, a full 95 percent of the total dollar amount raised at the Auction went directly to local Napa charitable organizations. “Such a high percentage level is rarely seen in the world of charitable fundraising,” says Dawnine Dyer, president of the Napa Valley Vintners Association. “It wouldn't be possible without the extraordinary effort of our more than 1,000 local volunteers and our in-kind donors.” Over the course of just over two decades the Auction has raised more than $40 million.

Chairpersons for the 2003 Napa Valley Wine Auction are the Trinchero Family - Bob, Evelyn, Roger and Vera - of Trinchero Family Estates. Winery CEO Bob Trinchero helped found the Auction in 1981. Next year's Auction will be held June 5-8. For more information, visit www.napavintners.com.