SANTA BARBARA, Calif., (Oct. 18, 2024) – The Santa Barbara Vintners Foundation has unveiled new details for the highly anticipated Santa Barbara Wine Auction, scheduled for November 8-9 at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara. To coincide with the Santa Barbara Vintners Festival, the foundation has launched an online auction starting today, October 19, providing attendees with a first look at exclusive offerings.
The initial phase of the online auction allows both online bidders and Vintners Festival participants to secure coveted local wines and unique wine country experiences until it closes on October 31. A second phase, featuring new items, will open for bidding on November 2 and conclude on November 9, following the Gala event.
Kicking off with an opening reception on November 8, the Wine Auction will take place at the luxurious Ritz-Carlton Bacara Resort. The evening will feature wine tastings and a performance by the Tepusquet Tornadoes, a local winery band that includes Madison Murphy, owner of Presqu’ile and the 2024 Honorary Winery. Over 25 Santa Barbara wineries will provide tastings, complemented by small bites from the Bacara culinary team. Guests can also enjoy an art showing by the 2024 Featured Artist, Pedro De La Cruz, whose painting El Amor a la Vida will be available for bidding during the live auction on Saturday. Tickets for Friday’s events start at $95 and can be purchased online.
“This wine auction is crucial for the sustainability of our community, and extending the event to Friday night allows for broader participation in this giving opportunity,” said Jessica Gasca, President of Story of Soil. “Adding a more casual component to the event enables us to showcase our local wineries to friends who want to enjoy a local band.”
The auction will culminate in a Black-Tie event on Saturday, November 9, featuring a live auction emceed by Andrew Firestone. Guests will indulge in a four-course dinner prepared by Bacara Chef Rebecca Tillman, alongside culinary offerings from renowned guest chefs Neal Fraser (Redbird, Los Angeles), Jason Paluska (the Lark, Santa Barbara), and Lincoln Carson. The online auction will close at midnight on November 9.
Proceeds from the event will support Direct Relief, the auction’s longstanding charity partner based in Santa Barbara. This international humanitarian organization provides essential medical resources to healthcare professionals worldwide, regardless of politics, religion, or ability to pay. Currently, Direct Relief is actively assisting communities affected by recent hurricanes. A paddle raise during the event will specifically benefit Community Health Centers, which play a vital role in providing medical services to Santa Barbara’s farmworker community. The Santa Barbara Vintners Foundation is committed to the ethos of “Grounded in Giving,” with the auction serving as its premier fundraising event.
About the Santa Barbara Wine Auction
The Santa Barbara Vintners Foundation acts as the philanthropic arm of the Santa Barbara Vintners. The biennial Santa Barbara Wine Auction is the foundation’s flagship charity event. Since its inception in 2000, the auction has raised over $5 million for various humanitarian organizations, including its primary beneficiary, Direct Relief. The 2024 Wine Auction will mark its 13th year of bringing the community together to support and uplift those in need.
You Might Be Interested In:
- Is White Merlot a Red Wine? An Interesting Exploration
- How Long Does Sparkling Wine Last Opened?
- How Sweet is Chardonnay?
