Auction Napa Valley, an annual charity auction organised by winemakers in the area, has achieved record results in 2013, raising $16.9m for healthcare and youth education organisations in Napa County.
 Just one of the spectacular lots featured in the auction's live lot preview |
The total is a 60.9% increase on the previous record, which was set at $10.5m in 2005.
Top lot of the sale were three double magnums of wine from the Korean-owned Dana Estates, including a weeklong trip for four to South Korea, which made an impressive $1m.
Also selling well was a 20-vintage tasting of Harlan Estate for eight people, which sold for $800,000, and a single 12-litre bottle of Screaming Eagle's 2010 vintage that sold for $500,000.
Wines from Napa Valley are becoming increasing popular at auction, with collectors looking for alternatives to the more expensive French wines. The small vineyards in the area tend to produce high-quality wines in low numbers, resulting in the rarity and quality that drives the market.
In May, we saw a 10 bottle lot of Screaming Eagle offered with a higher estimate than a case of the illustrious Chateau Lafite Rothschild. Sign up to our free weekly newsletter to stay ahead of the wine market.
