The annual Premiere Napa Valley (PNV) wine auction, organized by the Napa Valley Vintners (NVV), raised $3 million Feb. 21 by selling specialized barrel lots assembled by many of the valley’s top winemakers for trade members. The event has become a top Napa event by offering a preview of upcoming vintages. Proceeds will support NVV’s various promotional and educational initiatives.
This year’s auction was co-chaired by the father-son vintner team of Chris and Josh Phelps. “It was amazing to see everyone come together and create an exciting atmosphere for our trade partners who traveled to support the auction,” Josh Phelps, Grounded Wine Co. owner and winemaker, told Wine Spectator. “The vintners brought the energy into all of the PNV events this past week.”
A Collaboration and Reunion
The auction itself culminates a three day marathon of themed tastings hosted at over two dozen wineries throughout the valley, during which Napa vintners preview some of their not-yet-released wines for the commercial market.
Started 30 years ago by NVV, PNV invites winery members to create a wine specifically for the auction. Some vintners select a particular lot to bottle separately, apart from their commercial production. There are also collaborative lots, such as one from Dakota Shy and the Detert Family and another from Markham and Textbook…