Top-selling auction lot from Antica, the Antinori family’s Napa Valley estate, raises more than $1 million for Auction Napa Valley

Napa Valley, CA

The Antinori family, the 26 generation Italian wine producer, celebrated two milestones during the 29th annual Auction Napa Valley (June 6): Antica, the family’s Napa Valley estate, participated in its first auction here, and Antica’s auction lot raised more than $1 million to become the event’s top-seller for 2009.

Marchese Piero Antinori, who leads his family’s wine business which dates to 1385, described as ‘unbelievable’ the fact that Antica had such an impact on the overall success of Auction Napa Valley, the first time Antica participated in the event.

“My family feels great responsibility for supporting the local communities where we live and produce our wines,” said Piero Antinori. “When I am here, I always feel at home, so it is very special for Antica to have this important role in helping the auction’s great community mission.”

Organized by Napa Valley Vintners, the three-day-long auction took in a total of $5.7 million. Since its inception in 1981, Auction Napa Valley has given $85 million to dozens of Napa County health, youth development and affordable housing Napa County non-profits to support the health and wellbeing of the county’s residents.

Three bidders competed fiercely for “Ancestry and Artistry,” the Antica auction lot, which has at its centerpiece four double magnums of the newly released 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon. Piero Antinori considers 2006 the best vintage produced from the estate.

“I have always been impressed with the potential for the Cabernet Sauvignon grape in this particular area,” Piero Antinori said. “The Cabernet that we produce on the Antica estate is very special and unlike anything else produced in the valley. It is a big vineyard of 600 acres, but in reality it is a combination of very small vineyards with different soils, sun exposures and altitudes.”

The lot also includes lavish trips to Antica and to the family’s Tuscan estates of Tignanello, Badia a Passignano and Guado al Tasso and the 15th century Palazzo Antinori in Florence. At the request of both under-bidders, Piero Antinori agreed to donate the auction lot three times.

Piero Antinori first came to Napa Valley in the 1960s, and he later was attracted to the Antica property because of its majestic, natural setting. Located on a high plateau in the eastern mountains of the celebrated Napa Valley in the sub-appellation known as Atlas Peak District, the estate’s hilly terrain with rocky soils, high elevations and a breathtaking landscape are ideal winegrowing country.

Antica Napa Valley is a symbol for Antinori California and exemplifies the Antinori Family’s fascination with cultivating vineyard sites and producing wine in viticultural areas highly suited to quality Cabernet Sauvignon production in a quest to promote new terroirs, rich in winegrowing potential.

The Antinori Family of Florence, one of the world’s oldest and most distinguished wine producers, has been making wine since Giovanni di Piero Antinori joined the Florentine Vintners Guild in 1385. Marchese Piero Antinori, the 25th generation President of the company, has played a vital role in the preservation of Italy’s enological traditions, while at the same time, his innovative, dynamic and visionary views have led to Italy’s recognition as a producer of world-class wine. As the 26th generation of the Antinori Family, Piero Antinori’s daughters Albiera, Allegra and Alessia are now involved in all aspects of Marchesi Antinori and will play important roles in the prestigious producer’s future.

The Antinori Family has always been identified with the regions of Tuscany and Umbria, with vineyards planted in the most highly-suited areas for quality wine production. The qualities of tradition, passion and instinct have made Antinori one of the leading Italian producers of fine quality wines.

Editor’s Note: Further information is available at: anticanapavalley.com, www.antinori.it and napavintners.com

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For further information:
Kari Leitch
(425) 415-3673
kari.leitch@ste-michelle.com