Premiere Napa Valley Auction raises US$3.4 million

“Boisterous” bidding at the 27th Premiere Napa Valley Auction on Saturday for the “outstanding” 2021 vintage  helped raise over US$3.4 million for programmes to promote, protect and enhance Napa Valley. 

The annual sale, which was conducted by Sotheby’s, comprised around 150 lots varying in size from 60 to 240 bottles, the majority of which (137) came from the 2021 vintage, many still ageing in barrel.

Priyanka French, Premiere Napa Valley steering committee chair and winemaker for Signorello Estate said the 2021 vintage would be remembered for its “near-perfect weather”, which resulted in “low yields and small, flavour-packed berries [that] created outstanding wines.”

“It is an absolute joy to showcase this incredible vintage and its complex reds at Premiere Napa Valley,”  she said.

Jamie Ritchie, worldwide chairman, Sotheby’s Wine & Spirits noted that the sales “phenomenal results” displayed the enormous enthusiasm worldwide for these unique and innovative wines that showcase the best of Napa Valley.

“The 2021 vintage is clearly great, and is going to be in very strong demand, as witnessed today,” said  “The boisterous bidders demonstrated enthusiasm from the first lot to the last, creating an energy that propelled the results.”

Juan Pablo Salgado, of Delizia Wine Boutique in San José, Costa Rica called the 2021 vintage “beyond perfection”, with “structure and finesse blend[ing] into a marvellous juice that will definitely take your breath away.”

The average bottle price for a 2021 red wine was $295, Napa Valley Vintners said.

The sale, which took place on Saturday after a week of tasting, also included the Vintage Perspective Auction, a sale of older vintage wine comprising 54 lots taken from the 2004 to 2013 vintages.

Funds from the auction are used to fund programmes intended to promote, protect and enhance Napa Valley.