DISCOUNT WINE CELLARS

Not long ago I began commentary on the race between 'Booze Monkey' of Australia and America's 'Palate Press' who are racing to see who could raise more money for Haiti through their respective wine auctions. Their efforts are going strong, and I am seeing more regular movement in the bidding again. I'm pretty sure that Palate Press is ahead of Booze Monkey; then again, Palate Press started first and Booze Monkey has finite deadlines rather than creating 'hot lots' after an item hasn't had action for 24 hours. Urgency spurs actions, I say, whether physical or financial.
Items that have enjoyed frequent friendly bidding have included the Cakebread Cellars mixed case, valued at $536. This case includes Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Zinfadel. The current bid is $400. Lot 29, Fox Run Vineyards Mixed Case valued at $160, looks like it might go for $150. A Zugibe Vineyards case of 2007 Riesling (yum) could go for it's retail value: $195.
Booze Monkey isn't seeing as much action as Palate Press, but their catalogue has grown from 5 pages to 7. If bidding stopped right now, bidders would get some wonderful deals. Penfold's Grange Shiraz Magnum 2004, signed by winemaker Peter Gago, is worth $2000. Right now the bid has moved from a recent $960 to $1010 (Australian Dollar). A Castagna Mixed Dozen worth $789 might be sold for $370. Dogpoint Vineyard Pinot Noir 2007, 12 bottles worth $500, has seen a bit of action: $230 has gone up to $240.
What I have to remind myself as I see valuable wine and related items graciously donated from the cellars of generous men and women almost being given away is that this money will all go to Haiti. The attitude of organizers and donors is that whatever they get will be thankfully received.
Still, I hope that the value of many of the lots on offer will inspire the public to bid high and from the heart. Wow, that sounds really sappy.
Just hand over your *&%#$ money. No, too Bob Geldof. Not me at all.
Please tell everyone you know about these auctions which combine fun with fundraising in a community that appreciates what is on the block. Or should I say, on the wine rack?

Labels: 6 bottle instant wine cellar, Australia, big bottle wine cellars, Chardonnay, Discount Wine Cellars, Haiti relief, Riesling, United States, wine charity, wood wine racks

Returning to the Palate Press for an update on their 'Wine Auction for Haiti' has yielded some impressive results so far. Already, Lot 3, 'Twisted Oak Vertical', has sold for $350. This is $100 more than the retail value of this unique offering. Lot 3 is a vertical of all versions of 'The Spaniard' from 2002 up to 2007. Twisted Oak offered this Lot with free shipping, an added bonus. The highest bid for Sara Nelson print 'Wine Goddess', Lot 5, is $300 so far. Watch this one: at $500 retail value, this could be a great gift for someone.
Rodney Strong 'Rockaway', 6.0L, Lot 2, currently has a $350 bid. I wonder if anyone will get near the $600 value of this donation. Meanwhile, the 2004 Shafer Vineyards Hillside Select 3.0L, valued at $1032, is also hot. The last bid currently stands at $1100, with bidding due to close soon on this item.
Think Wine Marketing gave away one of only 18 Radio-Coteau Savoy Anderson Valley magnums ever made. Worth $125.00, the bidding currently holds at $200.
One item which really got my attention is the pairing of two wine cellar items: 'Vina Valoria Rioja', Spain 1968, and 'Balbach, Warsteiner Klostergarten Trockenbeerenauslese', Germany 1976. Together, Lot 19 is worth $700. Right now they can boast a bid of $400. The latter name alone made me pause for a long time, and certainly had me double-checking my spelling very carefully.
What all of these donations and bids shows is how emotionally involved we are over the devestation in Haiti, especially when seen as part of a larger trend. Today in our local mall, kids from one grade 5 class were selling homemade cupcakes for Haiti. Their Saturday off and these kids are spending it trying to raise money for people they've never met, yet feel connected to.
Twenty-five cents for a cupcake; $400 for a bottle of wine: whatever you do, however much you raise, however much money you donate, it all adds up, so keep going. They're going to need every gift you can give.

Labels: 63 bottle wine cellar, Discount Wine Cellars, Haiti relief, vertical wine tasting, wine cellars

Wine drinkers around the world are today feeling spoiled and wondering how they can sip wine while people die in Haiti. Our passion, however, can be helpful to that nation as enterprising winery owners and other concerned people are showing.
Fundraising does not have to be original: it just has to work. For example, McGavick Winery in Puget Sound is offering 100% of profits from their Merlot to the Haitian relief effort of 'Doctors Without Borders'. As part of these efforts, Primo Grill and Crown Bar will donate $5 from every bottle of the same wine sold. Nothing new-fangled about that idea, it's just plain generous.
One group, 'Palate Press', has devised a unique way to raise money: an on-line auction. Wineries or individuals with items they are willing to donate, which include bottles from their wine cellars or wine-related articles, will see their donations auctioned on-line, all proceeds going to Haiti. Do you have some unique wine charms, or some fine art just hanging around?
Among the items already donated is a 6.0L etched bottle of Cornerstone Cellars Howell Mountain 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon, worth $1,000.00 retail, is among the lots up for bidding. As David Honig of Palate Press points out, however, the worth of your bottle or the final bidding is not important: “Five dollars or five hundred—it’s not about who’s is the biggest, but if we can get a little generosity from everyone, that will make for a hell of a lot of wine, a hell of a lot of donations at the auction and please believe me that every dollar counts in Haiti right now.”

Labels: 108 bottle modular wine cellar, 144big bottle wine racks, Angels Wine Charm Set, Discount Wine Cellars, Haiti relief