Feature: On the Block
04/01/2004
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The Napa Valley wine auction is the world’s largest wine charity event,
raising $6.6 million for local nonprofit agencies last year and a total of
nearly $50 million since its inception in 1981. This year’s auction on June 5
will include a spectacular “V-8 Vintners” lot, presented by Cadillac and the
Napa Valley Vintners Association, that will feature eight Napa Valley vineyards:
Chappellet, Darioush, Joseph Phelps, Nickel & Nickel, Oakville Ranch, Pillar
Rock, Pride Mountain, and Shafer. Each of the vineyards will contribute one or
more 3-liter bottles of its premium Cabernet and a dinner for eight guests. (You
will start to notice the numeric theme here.) The high bidder will also receive
eight cases of Napa Valley Cabernet, eight nights at Calistoga Ranch in upper
Napa Valley, and stemware from Riedel, including eight Sommelier Bordeaux Grand
Cru glasses, eight Sommelier Burgundy Grand Cru glasses, and a one-of-a-kind,
4.5-liter Dominus Jeroboam Decanter. To top it all off, Cadillac will complete
the package with a new XLR convertible—powered by a 320 hp Northstar V-8—replete
with a custom-built wine carrier in the trunk. (Click image to enlarge); function voidFunc() { } voidFunc();)
The “V-8 Vintners ” lot at this year’s Napa Valley Wine Auction will include
premium Cabernets and a Cadillac XLR convertible. (Click image to enlarge)Cadillac is stepping up its presence at events such as the Napa Valley Wine Auction and the Sundance Film Festival to better acquaint their unique demographics with cars like the XLR. “GM has made great strides in the past 10 years and we are in the position to capitalize on our strengths,” says Mike Jackson, general manager of GM’s Western Region. “Bringing high-quality, innovative Cadillacs to the wine auction allows us to align with other premium brands and give potential upscale customers some firsthand experience with our cars.” Based on my own thoroughly enjoyable experience with the XLR, I believe the auction’s participants are in for a pleasant surprise.
Napa Valley Vintners Association
707.963.3388
www.napavintners.com