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Held on September 11th-12th, the Winesong! charity wine auction which benefits the Mendocino Coast Hospital Foundation was by any reasonable definition a success. When the last lot was sold, Winesong! 2009 had raised over $542,000.Though just under the $551,000 2008 total, it was close enough in this down market for everyone involved—bidders, donors, friends and hosts--to walk away feeling good about bucking the trend.
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A crowd of over 1,000 attended what was Winesong’s 25th celebration. Veteran auctioneers David Reynolds and DawnMarie Kotsonis keep the audience entertained as they make their way through the 77 Live Auction lots. The lots included great Bordeaux from 1989, cult wines like Grace Family, Caymus, and Hartwell as well as original artworkTo break the $500,000 barrier, DawnMarie sold the necktie and the hat of Narsai David, who is the MC. Fortunately, though threatening to continue piece by piece, she stopped at $504,000 leaving him fully clothed and the audience in a happy mood. |
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Before day’s end, the Silent Auction sets a record at $38,000. Part of the Live Auction proceeds consisted of a specific fund-a-cause project —the purchase a portable ultrasound unit for the Emergency Room-- which brought the audience together as guests pledged cash contributions that ultimately totaled $62,000 |
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| Beginning with Lot #1, a six magnum vertical of Spottswoode Cabernet purchased for $3,000 by Bill & Sharon Shubin of Ketchum, Idaho, the bidding remained lively. Dozens of paddles went up at each subsequent lot as bidders seemed to temporarily suspend their concerns about the economy and to enjoy the moment. A week’s for four couples at Monte Bernardi in Tuscany was high bid of the day at $30,000. It was purchased by the Hughes and Hasty families of Mendocino, and throughout the day many local residents did their part to enliven the bidding. |
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A limited edition print from legendary artist Lowell Herrero created such a bidding fury that three people paid $8,000 each for one.
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| Auction Chairman. Norm Roby, who since 1992 has been soliciting donations and encourages bidders to attend, said, “Quite honestly, this was such a difficult year that you learn who your real friends are. I’m happy to report Winesong! has many, many genuine friends who live here on the coast or who travel the winding road to join us.” |
| He added, “This year was also different in that one or two bidders did not dominate the auction. While our good friends the Shubins were top bidders for the second consecutive year, winning bidders were spread throughout the tent with over 30 couples spending more than $7,500.” |
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For further information, contact Carol Joyce, Winesong Coordinator at 707.961.4994.
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