Napa Wine Auction Raises $7.6 Million

Wines & Vines, Sept, 2001

The 2001 Napa Valley Wine Auction, sponsored by the Napa Valley Vintners Association (NWA), raised $7.6 million far charities in June.

Co-chairs for this year's auction were Robert Mondavi and Margrit Biever Mondavi. The 2001 total compares with a record $9.5 million in 2000 and $5.5 million in 1999.

The top bidder was Ron Kuhn from Wheaton, Ill., who spent a total of $995,000. He said, "I'm a realistic, hard-working guy. I've given back to my high school and my college, and I'm thrilled to be giving back to this community."

Proceeds for the auction, now in its 21st year, benefit youth, health and housing agencies in Napa County.

The dates for next year's auction are June 6 to 9. Robert Pecota and family will chair the event.