Auction Napa Valley On Track For Best Fundraising Year Yet

This year's Auction Napa Valley charity wine event is on track to exceed $16 million in total funds raised, organizers say.

Although the final tally won't be certified until the event officially ends with Sunday night's close of the E-Auction, officials at the Napa Valley Vintners (NVV) are declaring the 2013 event a record-breaker. This total tops the previous Auction fundraising record of $10.5 million set in 2005, the 25th anniversary of the event.

"We are overjoyed with the generosity of the patrons, vintners and volunteers that made today possible," said Garen Staglin, who along with his wife Shari, daughter Shannon and son Brandon, were the event's honorary chairs. "The success of Auction Napa Valley 2013 allows us to fulfill our promise of turning marvels to miracles for the beneficiaries we support. Thank you, thank you all."

"Auction Napa Valley 2013 was a show-stopper: that rare moment in time when months of hard work by many people, strong relationships, a recovering economy and the bounty of this special place converge to create a memorable event," said Linda Reiff, executive director of the NVV, host of the annual Auction Napa Valley. "We may not see another year like this for a long time and we are grateful for the magical combination that made this year's Auction one for the record-books."

The Live Auction Celebration, which took place today at Meadowood Napa Valley, as it has each and every year since the Auction's inception, raised an amazing $14.3 million in just over 3.5 hours.

Top fundraising lots of the day included:  

• Marvels to Miracles/Fund-a-Need: $3.7 million

• DANA Estate: $1.02 million

• Harlan Estate: $800,000

• Screaming Eagle: $500,000

• Joseph Phelps Vineyards: $450,000

• Darioush: $400,000

• Staglin Family Vineyard: $400,000

• Araujo Estate Wines: $340,000

• Dalla Valley Vineyards: $340,000