News Summary
The 13th Annual Nashville Wine Auction, held at Loews Vanderbilt Hotel, raised over $1 million for cancer-related causes. The night featured a casino theme, exquisite wines, culinary delights, and emotional connections to the fight against cancer. With over 200 unique items in a silent auction and a thrilling live auction led by Charles Antin, the event embodied Nashville’s community spirit. Collectively, the auction has raised $37 million since its inception for innovative cancer treatments and research.
Nashville Raises the Glass for Cancer at Annual Wine Auction
Nashville, a city renowned for its vibrant music scene and warm hospitality, recently played host to an enchanting evening dedicated to a cause close to many hearts. The 13th Annual Nashville Wine Auction event, aptly named Pairings, took place at the elegant Loews Vanderbilt Hotel. This year’s event was particularly special, as it successfully raised over $1 million.
Casino Theme without the Cards
Even though the evening was casino-themed, don’t envision card tables scattered around. Instead, guests were treated to an atmosphere that incorporated a playful twist on gambling fun, all while savoring exquisite wines and culinary delights. The mission of the Nashville Wine Auction is a heartfelt one: to unite the wine community in the fight against cancer, and this celebration reflected that spirit beautifully.
Chefs Work Their Magic
Guests kicked off the evening with a tasting reception, featuring a selection of rare Californian wines that tantalized their taste buds. The reception was magnificently complemented by hors d’oeuvres prepared by host chef Sean Strolle, adding an extra flair to the evening.
A Silent Auction of Wonders
As the night unfolded, attendees had the chance to participate in a silent auction filled with over 200 unique items. This included incredible experiences such as trips, tastings, and, of course, ample selections of fine wines. Among the highlights were a “super special” California cabernet lot and an emotionally-charged “Pairings From the Heart” lot crafted by Holly Whaley. The famous Women Who Wine luncheon also sparked excitement among the guests, encouraging friendly competition for these exclusive items.
A Five-Course Culinary Delight
The flavor journey continued with a sumptuous five-course dinner crafted by Chef Robbie Wilson. Each course was paired with superb wines from DuMOL Winery, Donelan Family Wines, Résonance Wines, The Setting Wines, and L’Aventure Winery. This pairing of food and wine illustrated how the night was more than just an event; it was an experience!
A Competitive Live Auction
With excitement mounting, the main event of the evening arrived: the live auction. Exceptional auctioneer Charles Antin took the stage and led the crowd through an exhilarating bidding process. Bids reached new heights, surpassing revenue milestones as guests raised their paddles for the chance to own rare and unique wines. A particularly notable moment was the high bid of $12,000 for the chance to pour a prestigious 1996 Château Latour.
Heartfelt Inspiration
True to the mission of the Nashville Wine Auction, the evening also carried a significant emotional weight. Holly Whaley, a former president of the organization, moved the audience with her personal connection to cancer, having faced the illness herself and lost family members to breast cancer. Her story added depth to the gathering, uniting everyone present in the shared hope for innovation and progress in cancer research.
Community Impact
This year’s fundraising efforts were impressive not just for a single event; the weekend also featured thirteen vintner dinners held in private homes and a local restaurant, bringing together more than 300 guests. An exciting addition to the weekend was another event called “Wined Up! and The Collectors’ Showcase,” which attracted over 350 attendees and showcased selections from 28 remarkable West Coast wineries.
Since its inception, the Nashville Wine Auction has collectively raised an astounding $37 million to support cancer-related causes. The money goes directly towards innovative cancer treatments, research, and patient support, providing critical aid to local organizations focused on oncology research and patient care.
As Nashville raises its glass to a brighter future, the music city continues to prove it is not just about the bright lights and cheerful tunes; it is also a community that passionately supports one another in the fight against cancer. Cheers to that!
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Nashville’s Charity Events Take Center Stage in 2024
Additional Resources
- Nfocus Magazine: Nashville Wine Auction Pairings Hits the Jackpot
- Nashville Lifestyles: Nashville Wine Auction Pairings Event 2025
- Wine Industry Advisor: 45th Annual Lete du Vin Raises Over $2.3 Million for Fight Against Cancer
- Nashville Post: Nashville Wine Auction CEO to Retire
- Nfocus Magazine: Sapphire Anniversary Nashville Wine Auction Celebrates 45 Years
- Wikipedia: Wine Auction
- Google Search: Nashville Wine Auction
- Google Scholar: Nashville Wine Auction
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Nashville Wine Auction
- Google News: Nashville Wine Auction
