Press Release

The 2017 Napa Valley Vintage Makes a Graceful Debut at Premiere Napa Valley

Napa Valley Vintners’ barrel tasting and futures auction raises nearly $3.7 million

2/23/2019 - St. Helena, CA - Wine professionals from around the world attending today’s sold-out Premiere Napa Valley expressed their keen interest in wines made exclusively for the Premiere Napa Valley label to the melodic tune of nearly $3.7 million.

“Premiere Napa Valley is always electric and this year we felt that current in bidders’ appreciation of these truly unique wines,” noted Aaron Pott, of Pott Wines and honorary chair of this year’s event. “As people who make and cherish Napa Vallery wines, we look forward each year to this gathering of our trade partners and friends."

Premiere Napa Valley wines are unique selections crafted by NVV member winemakers for just one moment in time, never to be replicated, in quantities as small as 60 bottles and never more than 240. Upon release each bottle is hand-numbered and signed by the winemaker, increasing the allure of these wines for top collectors.

Seventy-two percent of this year’s 187 lots were from the 2017 vintage and appreciation for their gracefulness was mentioned throughout the tasting. “The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignons that were debuted today are full of finesse and elegance,” noted Bill Hayes, wine category manager of BevMo! “They’re charming wines that express a seamlessness and long finish that will make these wines approachable early.”

There were 30 fewer lots of wine at this year’s auction and the average price per bottle was up slightly over last year’s average cost per bottle of Premiere Napa Valley wines.

“We are very grateful for the support of our longtime bidders, as well as the 14 new successful bidders that acquired Premiere Napa Valley wines for the first time today,” said Linda Reiff, president and CEO of the NVV. "These winning bidders will be ambassadors for Napa Valley, sharing the wines with customers in new markets.”

Top lots included wines from: Silver Oak, Schrader Cellars, Shafer Vineyards, Duckhorn Vineyards, Marciano Estate, Raymond Vineyards, Seven Stones Winery, Rombauer Vineyards, Somnium Wine, Alpha Omega, Keenan Winery, St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery, Quintessa, ZD Wines, Freemark Abbey, Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars and Arkenstone Vineyards.

Leading up to Saturday’s barrel tasting and live auction were a number of educational programs and tastings, including the Symposium for Professional Wine Writers.

Photos are available in the Premiere Napa Valley week gallery.

Other highlights of the week can be found on the #PNV19 social media feed.

For more information and to view the Premiere Napa Valley wine portfolio, visit premierenapavalley.com.

About the Napa Valley Vintners
The Napa Valley Vintners nonprofit trade association has been cultivating excellence since 1944 by inspiring its 550 members to consistently produce wines of the highest quality, to provide environmental leadership and to care for the extraordinary place they call home. In 2019 the NVV is celebrating its 75th anniversary. Learn more at napavintners.com.

Contact: Korinne Munson, Director of Communications - 707.968.4207, kmunson@napavintners.com