At Auction Napa Valley bidders had an appetite for goodwill, raising a record-breaking $18.7 million this past weekend. Pocket change for the well-heeled?
To capture the color of the auction weekend – the fashion, the humor, the bidding mentality – here’s this year’s list of “bests,” from best dressed, to best lot, to best dish. For those who went to the auction events and for the curious who didn’t, here are some snapshots.
Most famous:
Actor Kyle MacLachlan, best known for his turns in “Desperate Housewives” and “Twin Peaks,” was at Auction Napa Valley but he seemed like he wanted to stay under the radar. The actor’s latest project was NBC’s “Believe,” although it was canceled in May after one season. MacLachlan, who plays debonair as well as eccentric, said he wasn’t bidding at the live auction. “I’m just watching,” he said, “because I came to see friends.”
Best lot:
#1, Splendor at sea, of course. This lot featured a 14-night voyage for four aboard The World, the largest privately-owned residential mega-yacht on earth. Floating decadence, without a doubt, trumps all.
Most inked:
Co-vintner Kristen Spelletich of Napa’s Spelletich Family Wine Co. had countless tattoos, including two quotes from Winston Churchill in the mix. On one calf she had this quote: “Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no lack of enthusiasm.” As for the other calf: “I don’t know the key to success, but the key to failure is attempting to please everyone.”
Best pairing:
The Shafer Hillside cabernet sauvignon and truffles from St. Helena’s Woodhouse Chocolate. Co-owner Tracy Anderson was at Friday’s barrel auction at Charles Krug passing out an assortment of truffles right outside the cellar door. The highbrow treats included these flavors: champagne truffles, passion fruit, cinnamon toast, espresso and brown butter ganache.
Best dressed:
Mary Lee Malcolm of Washington D.C. wore a black chiffon hat at Friday’s barrel auction at Charles Krug, and the hat had a spring back wire to keep its shape, making it an ideal traveling hat. The fashionista, who was bidding on six different lots at the time, revealed that she owns a total of 75 hats. “I’m crazy about hats,” Malcolm said.
Read my story about all the weekend happenings here and see photos here
