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Rare and Fine Wine Auction Rings in Silver Anniversary
The Wine and Food Foundation of Texas celebrates 25 years of premiere lots
AUSTIN, Texas – March 9, 2010 – Reaching its landmark 25th year, The Wine & Food Foundation’s Rare & Fine Wine Auction will be popping corks in grand style, celebrating a quarter century as the largest and most significant wine auction in the Southwest. Following a long tradition, the Auction will be held at the Four Seasons Hotel Austin on Saturday, April 17, 2010. Sponsored by South Texas Money Management, auction festivities begin at 6 p.m. with a Champagne reception, silent auction debut and dinner, followed at 7:30 p.m. by the loud, fast-paced and always competitive auction of more than 100 rare and collectable wine lots.
The Auction’s legacy is rooted in The Texas Hill Country Wine & Food Festival, also marking its 25th year, and now the third largest in the country. Both were co-founded by Austin’s own avid wine connoisseur and collector, Larry Peel. Peel along with wine-loving friends Susan Auler, co-owner of Fall Creek Vineyards, Leon Cikota with Republic Beverage, culinary aficionado Helen Baxter and several others hosted a small wine auction, which in its first year raised $15,000. It began as a benefit for KLRU-TV, Austin’s public television station, and its overwhelming success over the years prompted a unique vision of a charitable, statewide Foundation solely dedicated to education and excellence in the culinary and viticulture arts. Since its inception, the Rare & Fine Wine Auction has raised several million dollars to support charitable endeavors by The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas and its partner organizations.
In 1997, Peel and the same group of friends spearheaded what became The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas. In addition to a statewide membership program, the Foundation launched projects over the years like the annual Stephan Pyles Culinary Scholarship and Competition, one of the largest culinary scholarships in the country, and a statewide pastry scholarship and competition. A grant program for innovative projects in wine and food followed, which includes a number of notable recipients. The Foundation has helped fund projects such as The Wine Roads of Texas, a documentary on the Texas wine industry, as well as TexSom, a conference produced by the Texas Sommelier Association, which has become one of the most successful sommelier organizations in the United States. As it has for nearly two decades, the Auction remains the featured Saturday night event of the Festival and an almost entirely volunteer-driven effort. “The Auction has become one of the most anticipated events of the year in Austin, particularly among local oenophiles and fine dining restaurateurs,” said Peel. “We have a tremendous committee comprised of wine collectors and professionals in the wine industry who are passionate about offering a first-class event. The success of the Auction fuels the mission of the Foundation.”
Co-founders of Texas Wine and Food Festival and the Rare & Fine Wine Auction, Susan Auler and Leon Cikota agree. “The 25th year celebration brings a flood of memories of great wines, food, and friendships we have enjoyed since 1986, when I initially asked three young Southwest chefs to be part of a spotlight on Texas food and wine,” said Auler.
“It’s gratifying to see how both the Festival and the Foundation grew to the magnitude they have, garnering national reputations,” Cikota says. “It goes to show what can be done with a spirit of collaboration and incredibly generous winemakers, chefs, sponsors and volunteers over the years.”
Featured Lots
This year’s landmark event will draw wine enthusiasts and collectors from stellar lots are on the block this year, many of which are exceptionally rare and typically unavailable. Highlights include:
2007 Pride Mountain Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma - $2,500.00 est. value
1 Salmanazar (9 liters) Etched Bottle
Signed by Owner Steve Pride
2000 Abreu Madrona Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley - $1,800.00 est. value
6 Bottles (.750 liter)
Dinner for four at the home of Texas music legend Jerry Jeff Walker, famous for writing one of the most recorded songs in America, Mr. Bojangles, and Susan Walker; est. value $3,500.00.
BOND 2006 Terroir Portfolio - $3,500.00
5 Magnums (1.5 liter) one each
2006 BOND Melbury
2006 BOND Quella
2006 BOND St. Eden
2006 BOND Vecina
2006 BOND Pluribus
For an ongoing, updated list of lots and values, visit the Foundation website, www.winefoodfoundation.org.
Event Schedule
The Rare & Fine Wine Auction begins at 6:00 p.m. with a Champagne reception and opening of the silent auction. At 6:45, guests will be treated to an array of fine wines as well as a heavy buffet of hors d’oeuvres by Executive Chef Elmar Prambs of the Four Season Hotel Austin followed by the auction at 7:30 p.m.
To make reservations or donate a lot please visit www.winefoodfoundation.org, call 512-327-7555 or email Auction Director Donaji Lira,
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About The Foundation
The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas is a dynamic, statewide charitable Foundation created to inspire excellence and education in the culinary and viticulture arts. The Foundation fulfils its mission through scholarships, grants and the development of educational programs and projects. These charitable works impact students, wine and food professionals, future chefs, winemakers and the general community on both state and national levels.
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