Press and News
2009 Jackson Hole Wine Auction Celebrates 15th Anniversary – Sets a New Auction Record
June 29, 2009
JACKSON HOLE, WYOMING – The 15th Annual Jackson Hole Wine Auction, benefiting the world renowned Grand Teton Music Festival, celebrated a special anniversary with two days of great food and wine this past weekend. Against all economic indicators, the Silent and Live Auctions set a new record for the event’s small year, raising over $220,000 for the Grand Teton Music Festival’s music education and outreach programs.
This premier food and wine event opened with a new experience – Champagne Cheers – a unique Champagne tasting on Rendezvous Mountain at Couloir Restaurant, and continued the following evening with the signature Auction and Gala dinner at the Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole. Featured vintner Doug Shafer, of Shafer Vineyards, a longtime Wine Auction supporter, shared his most stunning wines, paired with the impressive cuisine of chefs Alessandro Stratta of Las Vegas and of New York City.
Fine wines and fine adventure dominated the exclusive auction lots at this year’s event. The NetJets Ultimate Flight Experience was the top auction lot at $34,000, after two bidders fought it out in a bidding war. Other top lots included a New Zealand Adventure featuring stays at Huka Lodge, Mollies, and Craggy Range, as well as an all-inclusive trip to New York City complete with private air travel, dinners, and a stay at the Plaza Athénée A 38-bottle Rhône Collection inspired heavy bidding on the wine side, as did a five-case collection of vintage Bordeaux and double magnums of 2000 Haut-Brion & 2005 La Mission Haut Brion. Another top winner was an Imperial of 2002 Shafer Vineyards Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon, which was inscribed for the winner by Doug Shafer that evening. Auctioneer for the 2009 event, Fritz Hatton, put on a dynamic show and prompted everyone in the room to raise their hands in support of a worthy cause.
Jackson Hole Wine Auction was proud to receive support from Grand Sponsors Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, NetJets, and Saveur.
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Festivities began on Saturday, June 27, with a glass of Taittinger Champagne and a majestic gondola ride up to the Couloir Restaurant, set at 9,095 feet above sea level. Guests enjoyed tastings of Taittinger Comtes de Champagne, Roederer Cristal, Krug Grand Cuvée, Dom Perignon, and Alfred Gratien Blanc de Blancs. The evening allowed those who attended an exclusive exploration of these exceptional Champagne estates, along with the small plates menu Chef Wes Hamilton designed using the freshest ingredients from Snake River Farms, Kerrygold, and igourmet.com.
The weekend culminated with the Auction and Gala Dinner on Sunday, June 28 at the Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole, where patrons had the opportunity to first bid on exclusive Silent Auction Lots on the Terrace and then move into the Ballroom for the Live Auction and five-course dinner presented by the visiting chefs and vintner. The dinner showcased a selection of library wines and current releases from Shafer Vineyards, each paired with a stunning dish created by chefs Alessandro Stratta and . The evening was a wine lover’s ultimate experience, featuring Shafer’s Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay from 2003 and 2007, 2006 Merlot, 2006 One Point Five Cabernet Sauvignon, 2005 Relentless, as well as 2000 and 2004 Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon. The meal finished with 2005 “Firebreak” Port, the perfect complement to the evening’s dessert course.
The Jackson Hole Wine Auction extends sincere thanks to all sponsors, volunteers, bidders, and special guests. Plans are underway for the 2010 Jackson Hole Wine Auction on June 24–26, when another round of world-class vintners and chefs will travel to the valley for the three-day food and wine extravaganza. Please visit the Jackson Hole Wine Auction’s website at www.jhwa.org for more information.
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The Jackson Hole Wine Auction benefits the Grand Teton Music Festival and its many vibrant education and outreach programs. From a child’s first experience with classical music, to spectacular performances in Walk Festival Hall, the Grand Teton Music Festival is proud to celebrate the beautiful community of Jackson Hole with inspiring music – every summer since 1962 and for generations to come.
This premier food and wine event opened with a new experience – Champagne Cheers – a unique Champagne tasting on Rendezvous Mountain at Couloir Restaurant, and continued the following evening with the signature Auction and Gala dinner at the Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole. Featured vintner Doug Shafer, of Shafer Vineyards, a longtime Wine Auction supporter, shared his most stunning wines, paired with the impressive cuisine of chefs Alessandro Stratta of Las Vegas and of New York City.
Fine wines and fine adventure dominated the exclusive auction lots at this year’s event. The NetJets Ultimate Flight Experience was the top auction lot at $34,000, after two bidders fought it out in a bidding war. Other top lots included a New Zealand Adventure featuring stays at Huka Lodge, Mollies, and Craggy Range, as well as an all-inclusive trip to New York City complete with private air travel, dinners, and a stay at the Plaza Athénée A 38-bottle Rhône Collection inspired heavy bidding on the wine side, as did a five-case collection of vintage Bordeaux and double magnums of 2000 Haut-Brion & 2005 La Mission Haut Brion. Another top winner was an Imperial of 2002 Shafer Vineyards Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon, which was inscribed for the winner by Doug Shafer that evening. Auctioneer for the 2009 event, Fritz Hatton, put on a dynamic show and prompted everyone in the room to raise their hands in support of a worthy cause.
Jackson Hole Wine Auction was proud to receive support from Grand Sponsors Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, NetJets, and Saveur.
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Festivities began on Saturday, June 27, with a glass of Taittinger Champagne and a majestic gondola ride up to the Couloir Restaurant, set at 9,095 feet above sea level. Guests enjoyed tastings of Taittinger Comtes de Champagne, Roederer Cristal, Krug Grand Cuvée, Dom Perignon, and Alfred Gratien Blanc de Blancs. The evening allowed those who attended an exclusive exploration of these exceptional Champagne estates, along with the small plates menu Chef Wes Hamilton designed using the freshest ingredients from Snake River Farms, Kerrygold, and igourmet.com.
The weekend culminated with the Auction and Gala Dinner on Sunday, June 28 at the Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole, where patrons had the opportunity to first bid on exclusive Silent Auction Lots on the Terrace and then move into the Ballroom for the Live Auction and five-course dinner presented by the visiting chefs and vintner. The dinner showcased a selection of library wines and current releases from Shafer Vineyards, each paired with a stunning dish created by chefs Alessandro Stratta and . The evening was a wine lover’s ultimate experience, featuring Shafer’s Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay from 2003 and 2007, 2006 Merlot, 2006 One Point Five Cabernet Sauvignon, 2005 Relentless, as well as 2000 and 2004 Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon. The meal finished with 2005 “Firebreak” Port, the perfect complement to the evening’s dessert course.
The Jackson Hole Wine Auction extends sincere thanks to all sponsors, volunteers, bidders, and special guests. Plans are underway for the 2010 Jackson Hole Wine Auction on June 24–26, when another round of world-class vintners and chefs will travel to the valley for the three-day food and wine extravaganza. Please visit the Jackson Hole Wine Auction’s website at www.jhwa.org for more information.
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The Jackson Hole Wine Auction benefits the Grand Teton Music Festival and its many vibrant education and outreach programs. From a child’s first experience with classical music, to spectacular performances in Walk Festival Hall, the Grand Teton Music Festival is proud to celebrate the beautiful community of Jackson Hole with inspiring music – every summer since 1962 and for generations to come.
