Live Auction Lots

Featuring unique and one of a kind offerings, the Live Auction Lots presented at the Make Our Garden fundraiser represent a wide variety of first-class wine, exclusive experiences, and vacation getaways!

2009 Make Our Garden Grow Live Auction Lots:

	LOT #1 TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME: DREAM OUTING FOR THE SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS FANS


					Generously Donated by the San Francisco Giants, Tom McDonald and Hotel Vitale If you are a Giants fan, this is the MUST HAVE auction lot. Your dream day begins with batting practice at AT&T Park at the home game of your choice (excluding Opening Day). You will be escorted onto the field by Giants personnel where you will meet Manager Bruce Bochy after batting practice. Senior Vice President for the San Francisco Giants, Tom McDonald will then escort you to the broadcast level of the ballpark for an exclusive tour, before heading to your four premier Club Level seats in time for the first pitch. The Giants have also donated the following Giants memorabilia for the lucky winning bidder: An Aaron Rowand signed baseball and a David Roberts signed baseball bat. To complete this incredible evening, deluxe accommodations await you for a wonderful night’s stay at the exclusive Hotel Vitale along San Francisco’s Embarcadero. Value: Priceless!

	LOT #2 THE PLAY'S THE THING IN ASHLAND

			Generously Donated by James and Suzanne Becker Bronk and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival Ashland, Oregon is a pretty and quaint town...surrounded by the gorgeous Siskiyou and Cascade Mountain ranges, lazy creeks, and roaring rivers. In Ashland, the play’s the thing -- Shakespeare and more -- as well as award-winning cuisine, an array of visual and performing arts, a Science museum, water slides, hiking, rafting, and other outdoor activities. An easy five-hour drive from Napa, Ashland has fun and interesting activities for all ages. Go behind the curtain at the Tony Award-winning Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF), among the oldest and largest professional non-profit theatres in the nation. You will be given a backstage tour for two in addition to four pairs of ticket vouchers for the shows of your choice (subject to availability) during OSF's spring through fall ’09 season of eleven plays in three theatres! Please check out www.osfashland.org for all the details. Your home away from the stage will be located in the hills directly above the Festival and is nestled at the entrance to the upper extension to Lithia Park. It’s a 10-minute downhill walk to the plays, restaurants and downtown. Spend five nights in this stunning home, built in 1994 and remodeled in 2000, with 3,200 square feet that comfortably holds two families. It includes a large master bedroom, two additional bedrooms each with queen beds, a third-floor loft with an array of futons, and three full baths and with views of the romantic trees of Lithia Park. (No smoking or pets please.) Value: $1,800

	LOT #3 A FOUR-WAY WINE LOVERS' OAKVILLE DREAM


						Generously Donated by Meadowood Resort, Auberge du Soleil, Opus One, Harlan Estate, Groth, PlumpJack , Rudd Estate, Swanson and Silver Oak Cellars Experience the magic of the Oakville appellation in the heart of the Napa Valley’s finest wine estates. We all know the names and have tasted some of the wines, but not even the locals among you have had tours and tastings at Rudd Estate, PlumpJack, Groth, Silver Oak, Swanson, Saddleback Cellars, and a very rare private tour and tasting at Harlan Estate. One of your two days will culminate with a twilight champagne, wine and caviar private tasting and tour at Opus One founded by Baron Philippe de Rothschild and renowned Napa Valley vintner Robert Mondavi. You will have dinner for four at the culinary destination, Auberge du Soleil and recover from your arduous exertions at the lovely Meadowood Resort in St. Helena. Two deluxe rooms for two nights are awaiting you on Sunday through Thursday nights (not available in Sept. or Oct.). This package is a wine lover’s dream – a once in a lifetime opportunity to taste the beautiful wines of Oakville at their sites of origin. Value: $5,000

	LOT #4 DINNER D'VINE

			Generously Donated by Robert & Celia Stewart, Karen Hadley, Emily Schmidt, and Dennis Kelly of the French Laundry Host a night to remember for 10 guests with a private chef's dinner specially prepared for you and your guests, wines paired by the Head Sommelier of the French Laundry, beautiful music provided by members of the Napa Valley Youth Symphony, all while enjoying panoramic views of the fairways from inside a beautiful Silverado Canyon home. Your executive chef is Karen Hadley, a graduate of the Napa Valley Cooking School who is known for her innovative and creative style. The reflective, elegant ambiance of the dining room is the perfect setting for the hostess' artistic, beautifully adorned table. All of this, of course, with the ambiance of a live string quartet made up of members of the Youth Symphony serenading you with gorgeous music!   This evening will be made even more memorable with an extraordinary selection of wines – some available only for this dinner – chosen by Dennis Kelly, Head Sommelier at the French Laundry. Mr. Kelly will be delighted to choose the wines, but can only be present on Monday or Tuesday. But that's not all. Mr. Kelly will come to your home for a two-hour consultation about developing your own private wine collection at a mutually agreed upon time! Value: $3,000

	LOT #5 BARREL OF 2008 WILLIAM KNUTTEL RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY PINOT NOIR BOTTLED IN CUSTOM PACKAGE

			Generously Donated by William Knuttel and Napa Wine Lockers This unique 2008 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir was produced especially for Make Our Garden Grow by William Knuttel, proprietor of William Knuttel Winery and Ottimino. Knuttel was formerly winemaker at Saintsbury, and at the forefront of developing Burgundian-style Pinot Noir in California, having produced hundreds of thousands of cases of high end, small lot Pinot over the past 25 years. The grapes were farmed by Duff Bevill, one of Sonoma County's premiere vineyard managers, at Foggy Oaks Vineyard in the heart of the Russian River Valley. The winning bidder will not only receive a 100% Pinot Noir produced in strict Burgundian fashion, but can also choose from one of three different clones of Pinot Noir: Pommard, Swan or Dijon 777 — Knuttel made barrels of each! The wine is currently aging in French oak and will be bottled in the winter of 2010. This Pinot Noir, heavily scented with black cherry, ripe raspberry, fresh earth and toasty oak, will be bottled with custom labels reflecting the winning bidder's preferences — and bottling in a combination of 750ml bottles, magnums, or 3L is also for the winning bidder to decide! Of course, you’ll need a place to keep all of that wine, plus other fine bottles in your collection. For that, Chuck Dickenson of Napa Wine Lockers will provide storage for a year for up to 25 cases in a sturdy, wood locker at his temperature-controlled, secure facility. Value: $12,500

	LOT #6 OODLES OF PUPPY LOVE

			Generously Donated by Schrette Insurance Services and Judy Franzino A once-in-a-lifetime chance to win a new cuddly addition to the family! Choose your very own puppy from the latest litter of a fabulous mother Labradoodle, Tawny, from Bonnie Blue Kennel in Utah. The litter is due in the summer of 2009 so there is plenty of time to ready your household and learn more about this new and endearing breed of dog, the Australian Labradoodle. A cross between a Labrador Retriever and a Standard Poodle, the Labradoodle was originally bred as a guide dog combining the low shedding coat of the Poodle with the gentleness and trainability of the Labrador. The lucky winner will be the owner of a black 8-week-old Labradoodle puppy which will be delivered to Napa from Utah. It may be possible to choose the gender of the puppy depending on what is born in the litter. Check out Bonnie Blue Kennel’s website for photos: www.freewebs.com/bonniebluekennel/ There are photos of the mother Tawny and her most recent adorable litter. Value: $1,500

	LOT #7 DAY ON THE BAY

			Generously Donated by Daniel May and Daniel Baron Spend a spectacular day on the San Francisco Bay aboard a 35-foot Beneteau Oceanis cruising sailboat. This elegant sailboat is perfectly designed for the San Francisco Bay. It is suitable for calm cruising or a brisk, high wind run along the city front. Your captains – Dan May (owner) and Dan Baron (Director of Winemaking at Silver Oak Cellars) are experienced and knowledgeable rapscallions who will educate and entertain you. Start your day in Sausalito where the boat is moored in a charming boating community. Cruise over to Angel Island to pick up a mooring on the calm and sunny backside of the island. Enjoy a sumptuous picnic lunch paired with fine wines from Silver Oak and Twomey! Depending upon the wind and your enthusiasm, a voyage to the Golden Gate Bridge, the City Front or Clipper Cove near the Bay Bridge are all within cruising range. This is a five hour trip for two to four people. Hours will be approximately 11:30 am – 4:00 pm. Dates to be mutually agreed upon by the owner, the first mate, the winners and Mother Nature. Value: $1,500

	LOT #8 BELIZE BABY, PLEASE!

			Generously Donated by Belize Legacy Beach Resort, Suya Tours, and the Victoria House Spectacular tranquil beaches, winding waterfalls, virgin tropical rainforest, hundreds of limestone caves, and some of the best snorkeling and diving in the world can all be yours with this resort package in Belize! Belize Legacy Resort, a top rated resort located directly on the Western Caribbean Sea in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, offers lodging for 8 days/7 nights in a beachfront one-bedroom condominium (sleeps four). Each condo has a private verandah with stunning views of the Caribbean Sea and lush tropical gardens. Join Suya Tours with a snorkeling package for four to Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley, two of Belize's most famous and popular snorkeling sites. Swim with dozens of colorful fish, see brilliant coral, pet stingrays and even hold friendly nurse sharks in this exciting adventure that's fun for your family or friends! A three course dinner for four to remember awaits you at the Victoria House in Ambergris Caye, considered one of the best restaurants in Belize and perhaps the Caribbean. Round trip VIP transfer service is included from the San Pedro Airstrip to the resort. This offer is on a space available basis and is valid through February 28, 2010. See photos at www.belizelegacy.com. Swim with sea turtles and pet stingrays, tour Mayan ruins, or just relax at the beach in this ultimate getaway! Value: $2,500

	LOT #9 FULL BARREL OF 2008 NAPA VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON PRODUCED BY SILVER OAK'S DANIEL BARON

							Generously Donated by Silver Oak Cellars, the Duncan Family and Daniel Baron This one-of-a-kind offering is a full American oak barrel (59 gallons) of 2008 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon specially blended for “Make Our Garden Grow” by Silver Oak Cellars Director of Winemaking, Daniel Baron. The wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot from vineyards in Yountville, Soda Canyon and Napa and was produced by the Silver Oak winemaking team at its new Oakville winery. This memorable wine displays a rich, ruby color and aromas of blackberry, black plum, baking spices and dark chocolate. It is well-rounded on the palate and has a long, smooth finish. Silver Oak will barrel age the wine in its cellars and bottle it in 2010. Final yield to the lucky high bidder will be 22 cases of unique, delicious Napa Valley Cabernet. The Duncan family, owners of Silver Oak Cellars, have been crafting extraordinary Cabernet Sauvignon for over 35 years. Their wines are designed to be deliciously drinkable from the day they are released and their Cabernet Sauvignon grows more supple and luxurious over time. The throngs of wine lovers that descend on the Oakville winery twice a year for the release of the latest vintage are testimony to the continued allure of this classic California icon thanks in part to Daniel Baron -- the man with the purple hands at Silver Oak since 1994 and the winemaker of this barrel. Note: This unique barrel of wine is not the Silver Oak Napa Valley blend and will not be labeled as Silver Oak. VALUE: $15,000

	LOT #10 CONDUCT THE NAPA VALLEY YOUTH SYMPHONY

			Generously Donated by Ming Luke Conduct a full symphonic orchestra in concert! Lead the Napa Valley Youth Symphony in concert! Work with NVYS Music Director Ming Luke in two private lessons followed by two lessons in front of the orchestra before you make your long-awaited conducting debut. Plus you will receive your own custom-made baton and learn how to make the violins sing, the brass resound, and the woodwinds dance! Your performance with the Napa Valley Youth Symphony will take place during the ‘08-‘09 season. This is your chance to be Mini-Ming – Bravo, Maestro! Value: Priceless!

	LOT #11 FUND-A-NEED: SINFONIA

			Please welcome our newest member of the Napa Valley Youth Symphony, Sinfonia, our string training ensemble, directed by Sabine Hirsohn and Stephanie Hawks! In direct response to the needs of the community, we have created this entry level ensemble that provides talented elementary and middle school students an opportunity to perform and learn together. 96% of California middle schools and 72% of high schools fail to offer the minimum music education courses recommended by the State. Furthermore, 43% of elementary school students in the Napa Valley Unified School District are from low/moderate income families. Sinfonia has already had a spectacular opening concert and also serves as a training ground for NVYS students to serve as coaches for the Sinfonia students. Your donation will ensure that this "pilot program" will become an enduring part of the Napa Valley Youth Symphony family! Funding Levels: $???? Sinfonia Sponsor - Be the title sponsor for our newest group! $5,000 Director Sponsor - sponsor our directors who run this amazing program $2,500 Coach Sponsor - sponsor the student coaches who work with the students each week $1,000 Venue Sponsor - sponsor the costs of the performing venues $500 Student Scholarship - sponsor the cost of a full scholarship to perform in Sinfonia $250 Half Student Scholarship - sponsor half the cost of a scholarship to perform in Sinfonia