Hey big donor.
If you are the type of person who values unique experiences, enjoys working with famous people, and enjoys a sense of charity – especially during these troubled times – then this is for you.
On Friday, April 9th from 4pm to 8pm Mountain Time, Wine Spectator Magazine, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits – the world’s leading distributor of beverage alcohol – and the digital wine publication Vinous will present a live internet stream entitled “The Conscious Collection: A Virtual Auction for Fine Wines and Spirits. “
A who’s who of influential wine, liquor, and food companies and media personalities have teamed up to run this auction of stupidly spectacular trips and unique wine deals to raise money for the Barstool Fund. Launched in December 2020, the fund was launched by Dave Portnoy, founder of the sports website Barstoolsports.com, to provide financial support to small businesses, particularly restaurants and bars, that have been hit by the economic fallout from COVID-19. As of this writing, the Barstool Fund has raised over $ 37 million and is currently distributing that money to businesses in need.
Zachys, the New York-based, global wine and spirits auction house and supplier of fine wines, is the home of the auction. More than 100 lots are currently being advertised. A catalog can be found at auction.zachys.com
You can bid anytime, but most of the bids are expected to take place during the four-hour livestream event on April 9th. It’s hosted by TV food celebrities and Firebrand (meaning his brand is the hottest in the food space) Guy Fieri, along with the always talkative and occasionally controversial Portnoy. Antonio Galloni, the founder of Vinous, will be the adult in the room who brings out his extensive wine chops. Jeff Zachria from Zachys will do the auctioning. Expect there to be other celebrities in the mix as well.
What is special about this auction that you ask? How about lunch at Château Pétrus, George Clooney’s watch, or dinner with Mary J. Blige? These are just a few of the items in the Goodies catalog.
The auction offers both star power and authentically prestigious wine offers. Let’s start with the stars because we all like stars.
George Clooney’s Omega watch, hand selected from his personal collection, can transfer his regal wrist to your wrist if you tend to bid on lucky lot number 7. You will also receive an autographed photo of the star “Michael Clayton” who wants what Now be your watch, and this is the connecting hook, a 1.75 liter bottle of Casamigos Tequila, which he co-founded and sold for a billion Giant Diageo to drink. As of this writing, the lot currently has a bid of $ 9,000, but I would expect it to go up on the night of the live auction. Personally, I’d prefer an overnight Lake Como with George and Amal, but time and tequila are well worth it too.
Tequila is big with celebs, and it may be easier to spot a media star in the Mexican state of Jalisco, the Napa of Tequila, than it is in Aspen right now. Further offers for blue agaves are available in the Conscious Collection Auction.
If you win the bid for lot 56, you and three of your friends may find yourself on the set of the new television show Kardashian Hulu. You’ll also be the proud owner of four bottles of Kendall Jenner’s (not to be confused with Kendall-Jackson) brand 818 tequila, named for the LA area code for the San Fernando Valley. What?! The current price? $ 950. Talk about a bargain.
Lebron James offered a pair of tickets to a Lakers game and a visit to a wolf sanctuary if you’re the winner on his Lobos 1707 Tequila and Mezcal in Lot # 96. Current bid: $ 2,400. Oh, and you can wear a number 23 signed jersey when communicating with the big dogs.
And of course there are more stars, many make wine. Her dinner in New York City with Mary J. Blige (lot 11) is paired with her Italian wines under the Sun Goddess label. And how about a Jeroboam – that’s a 3-liter bottle – Le Chemin Du Roi Brut Champagne NV, signed by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson?
But if you really want star power, then there are the three nights in the private home of Trudie Styler and her husband Sting above the picturesque Tuscan town of Figiline Valdarno with a wine tasting of their Il Palagio wines with the oenologist Riccardo Cotarella. (Lot No. 82). Belissimo. The bid – $ 36,000 – at the time of going to press was the highest of any lot.
For those who find their stars in bottles rather than celebrities, the options are endless if you’re ready to spend the money. This is where things get interesting. If I had the money to make a splash I would try and take advantage of the excursions, dinners, and lunches that you can only get at an auction like this one.
Chateau d’Esclans Domaines Sacha Lichine La Motte in Provence, France
A visit to the south of France sounds terribly nice at the moment. So how about an offer for a few lots from the region that is home to the finest rosé? Buy both Lot No. 37, a private visit, followed by dinner for 10 at the Château d’Esclans-Domaines with Sacha Lichine in Provence, served by the Michelin-starred restaurant Chez Bruno (The Truffle King) , and Lot No. 75, a visit to the vineyards and cellars of the Clos Mireille by Domaines Ott, including an overnight stay and dinner for 6 people at the property. You’ll need to get your party of 10 there and then send four home, but right now the bid for the two together is $ 1,400. Bring sunscreen.
Possibly the ultimate parlay on this auction is to bid and win the aforementioned lunch at Chateau Petrus (lot # 77), which already has a bid of $ 24,000, and a second lunch at the nearby Cheval Blanc Château (lot # 20 ). in Bordeaux. You will then visit two First Growth houses. Château Margaux (lot No. 65) for a private tour and dinner for eight at the château hosted by a member of the management team and / or the Mentzelopoulos family and visit to Château Lafite Rothschild (lot No. 60) with Saskia de Rothschild (Chair). Make sure you take a lot of selfies.
And remember, this is all for a good cause.
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