For the first time in its 31-year history, the prestigious
Auction Napa Valley, sponsored by the Napa Valley Vintners, is offering an
auction lot of ultra-premium wines made from grapes grown by an independent
grower from historic vineyard lands.
The auction lot contains wines from Andy Beckstoffer’s
heritage vineyards: To Kalon in Oakville, Dr. Crane in St. Helena, and Vineyard
Georges III in Rutherford.
“The Napa Valley Vintners, through this auction, is
spotlighting Napa Valley history and vineyards. This is important,” said
Beckstoffer.
“This is a fantastic honor both to me and to the seven
vintners whose wines will be presented. Even more important, it is a singular
honor and recognition for all of the independent growers, their vineyards, and
the long history of grape growing in the Napa Valley,” Beckstoffer added. “Most
people don’t realize that half the grapes in the Napa Valley are grown by
independent growers who do not make wine. We are dedicated to growing the
grapes and preserving the Napa Valley as an American premier viticulture
region. Great wines are made in the vineyards, so the vineyards must be
preserved.”
Over the years, Beckstoffer has painstakingly acquired some
of the most historic and highest-quality vineyards in the Napa Valley–vineyards that have produced great wines for more than a century. And now, one
of the 40 live auction lots at this year’s Auction Napa Valley will feature
some of the best wines from these vineyards.
The lot includes the following 3-liter bottles, all of which
scored above 95 in Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate (two scored a perfect 100).
Each will be personally signed by Beckstoffer and the winemaker:
- Realm 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, Beckstoffer Dr. Crane
Vineyard, St. Helena - B Cellars 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, Beckstoffer To Kalon
Vineyard - Carter 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Beckstoffer
To Kalon Vineyard - Macauley 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, Beckstoffer To Kalon
Vineyard - Poetic Justice 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, Beckstoffer To
Kalon Vineyard - Schrader 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, Beckstoffer To Kalon
Vineyard CCS, Oakville - Schrader 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, Beckstoffer To Kalon
Vineyard MMVII, Old Sparky - Tor 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, Beckstoffer To Kalon
Vineyard Clone 4 - Tor 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Beckstoffer To Kalon
Vineyard Clone 6 - Realm 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, Beckstoffer To Kalon
Vineyard - Schrader 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, Beckstoffer Vineyard
Georges III, Rutherford
Included in the auction lot is a large wall hanging of a beautifully
recreated antique map of Napa County from 1881, showing the location of
historic vineyards such as Dr. Crane, To Kalon and Georges III.
“The wines are fabulous, but this map may just steal the
show,” said Beckstoffer.
Also included is a viticultural tour of the Beckstoffer To
Kalon Vineyard for eight people, escorted by Beckstoffer and the respective
winemakers. Then it’s off to the Beckstoffer estate in Rutherford for a tasting
of great vintages of Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard and other heritage vineyard
wines, followed by a lunch prepared by celebrity chef Charlie Palmer.
The auction will take place June 2-5 at the Meadowood Resort
in St. Helena, Calif.
Tomorrow: Learn more about Andy Beckstoffer and the
important role he has played, and continues to play, in Napa Valley winemaking–even though he makes no wine himself.
