The Napa Valley Vintners Association

The year was 1979 and Robert Mondavi and Margrit Biever were meeting with Pat Montandon to discuss a fundraising wine tasting to benefit St. Helena Hospital and Health Center. Mondavi suggested, "Instead of a tasting, why not an auction patterned after Burgundy's Hospice de Beaune?" He also suggested including Napa's Queen of the Valley Hospital as a beneficiary as well.

Shortly after, the idea was proposed to the Napa Valley Vintners Association and from there it picked up steam. Vintners liked the idea of an auction that could raise needed funds for the local hospitals and also focus national and international attention on the excellent quality of Napa Valley wines.

The vintners endorsed the idea and a steering committee chaired by Louis Martini was formed. Seven of the Valley's wineries and Meadowood Resort Hotel pledged underwriting support, with other business sponsors providing additional financing. The date of June 20 to 21, 1981 was set, and the First Annual Napa Valley Wine Auction was born.

Adding an international flair to the event, J. Michael Broadbent of London's Christie, Manson and Woods agreed to donate his services and remained its auctioneer for six years.

That first auction was staffed by an extraordinary group of volunteers, including fellow vintners, their employees and members of the community. The beneficiaries shared equally in the unexpected windfall of $140,000.

In 1982 the Auction was again a success under the direction of chairman Chuck Carpy, of Freemark Abbey Winery, and it was decided to make the auction an annual event.

Today, auction-goers from across the United States and a growing number of international guests travel to the Napa Valley each June to participate in the gala weekend. Yet, the heart of the Auction remains the concept of neighbors helping neighbors, rooted in the celebration of sun and soil and skill that transform grapes into wine.

What has remained constant is the Auction's raison d'être. It began as a fundraising event to benefit St. Helena Hospital & Health Center and Queen of the Valley Hospital. The Auction remains today a major contributor to the health and well being of the county's residents, having donated more than $30 million to health care since 1981.