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WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK | WINE COUNTRY NEWSNapa Vintners Auction Napa Valley 2012, May 31-June 3Barrel Tasting at Jarvis Winery, Live Auction at Meadowood, Lunch andDinner Prepared by Chefs Thomas Keller and Emeril Lagasse and moreAuction Napa Valley, the annual community fundraiser hosted bythe Napa Valley Vintners (NVV) – taking place this year from May31-June 3 – offers Four-Day Passport and Three-Day Package ticketsat www.AuctionNapaValley.org. Tickets regularly sell out early, sohopeful Auction-goers are encouraged to log on as soon as possible.Highlights from this year’s Auction weekend include:Friday Barrel Tasting and Case Auction (June 1): Drawingnearly 2000 attendees including bidders, chefs, vintners and mediafrom across the US, as well as Japan, China, Hong Kong, Canadaand the UK, this walk-around tasting features hundreds of yet-tobe-releasedNapa Valley wines and dozens of dishes from localchefs. This year’s Barrel Tasting and Case Auction will be held forthe first time at Jarvis Winery, located in the town of Napa.Saturday Live Auction at Meadowood Napa Valley (June 2):The centerpiece of the weekend, with 800 guests including bidders,vintners and media – it’s one of the most exciting parties in the wineworld with 40 over-the-top offerings of wine, cellar collections andwine experiences with member vintners.Culinary Superstars: The June 2 festivities at Meadowood willshowcase two of America’s most renowned chefs – Thomas Keller’screw from Ad Hoc will prepare lunch on the lawn before thebidding begins, while first-time Auction chef Emeril Lagasse willbring his signature American flavors and energetic personality to thecelebratory dinner that follows the live auction.Vintner-Hosted Parties: A perennial favorite of the Auctionweekend is the selection of Thursday (May 31) and Friday (June 1)private dinners hosted by the vintners at their homes or wineriesfrom Carneros to Calistoga. Available only to Four-Day Passport andThree-Day Package ticket holders, these festive, intimate gatheringsoffer an incredible opportunity to enjoy great food, library-selectionwines and a memorable evening with a Napa Valley vintner.E-Auction: For those who cannot make it to Napa Valley for theAuction, and even those who do, the online E-Auction provides achance to bid on more than 150 lots of rare wines and unique NapaValley experiences – all from any computer, anywhere in the world.2012 Ticket Packages:Four-Day Passport tickets are $2,500 per person and giveattendees access to the entire weekend’s activities.Three-Day Package tickets, which are $1,000 per person, providea Thursday private vintner-hosted party, entrance to the FridayBarrel Tasting and Case Auction and Marketplace, and Sundayfarewell.For more information and to purchase tickets, visitwww.AuctionNapaValley.org.Look for us on Facebook and become a Fan!37