22nd Annual Winesong! auction a success

9/11/06

Festive auction-goers were not daunted by the fog and cool temperatures that persisted for the duration of the 22nd annual Winesong! charity auction, a benefit for Mendocino Coast District Hospital held on September 9.  Auctioneers David Reynolds and DawnMarie Kotsonis led the enthusiastic crowd through 80 auction lots, which along with the silent auction and Fund-A-Cause bidding, brought the auction total to approximately $577,000.

Proceeds from this year’s event support the replacement of the hospital’s CT scanner, ultrasound and fluoroscopy unit and other vital needs of the diagnostic imaging department.  This equipment is used throughout all hospital departments, and is essential to physicians to make efficient and accurate diagnoses.

Approximately 1,000 participants from all over the world attended the event, in addition to 250 volunteers.  Event attendees enjoyed the wine and food tastings offered by about 100 wineries and restaurants scattered throughout the beautiful Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens. Both silent and live auction activities followed.

Auction lots contained a variety of rare cult wines, vacation getaways, original artwork and unique dining events.  One of the most popular items was a ten-day trip to South Africa, including extensive wine tasting, sightseeing and a three-day Big Five Safari in a private game reserve in the Eastern Cape.

The bidding competition was lively and quickly drove the final bid price up to $38,000 drawing wild cheers from the crowd. Long-time Winesong supporters Vince and Renee DiPierro of Hollywood held out for the winning bid.  This package was offered by Southern Destinations in conjunction with American Airlines.

Other popular getaway packages included a ten-night wine, dine and tango excursion for two to Argentina.  Because the bidding was so intense, the auctioneers offered a duplicate trip for a second couple, each going for $18,000, which went to John and Judy Reynen of Sacramento.

The third highest bid of the day – $22,000 – was for a six-night food and wine extravaganza to the Piedmont region of Italy for two couples.  The dining portion of the package was underwritten by a group of MCDH physicians, in memory of local retired physician Luciano Zamboni, who loved to share his passion for food, wine and life.

Auctioneer DawnMarie Kotsonis dressed in a Formula 1 racing suit during bidding for the package offered by event sponsor Credit Suisse: a VIP package for two to the Grand Prix Canada in Montreal, including watching a race from an exclusive suite over the start/finish line, and meeting the race teams and drivers.  Lucky locals Jerry and Cathy Karabensh will enjoy this trip in Summer 2007.

Rare wine collections were also among the most popular auction items, including magnums from Colgin and Dalla Valle, and double magnums from Grace Family, Harbison, Vineyard 29, Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, Beringer Private Reserve, and more.

This year’s original Winesong painting by local artist Angela Speck sold for $5,500 to long-time supporters Dick and Gloria Murphy of Sebastopol.  This year’s Fund-A-Cause, to which bidders donate funds rather than bid for an auction lot, raised $50,000 for the Ambulance service.