USA: California Coup - Napa Valley to Rock Hong Kong Auction Scene

       来源: Meiburg Wine Media

25 May, 2016: (Hong Kong) A privileged few members of the Asian wine media got a taste of some of the California wine industry’s rarest treasures yesterday at an exclusive press conference hosted by the Napa Valley Vintners (NVV), Christie’s Auction House, and Debra Meiburg MW. The event was a preview of the elite “made-for-auction-only” Premiere Napa Valley wine range, in preparation for its debut Asian auction on November 3 with Christie’s.

In its first official showing outside the United States, nine previously released Premiere Napa Valley auction wines (ranging from 2008 to 2014 vintages) were presented to handpicked media, VIP trade and key opinion leaders.

The lunchtime press conference at Hong Kong’s prestigious private members club, The Dynasty Club, included addresses by NVV Vice President of Marketing, Stacey Dolan Capitani, Christie’s Head of Wine China, Simon Tam, and California-born Hong Kong-based Master of Wine Debra Meiburg. Guests also enjoyed a tasting of previous years’ auction wines which exemplified the pedigree of Premiere Napa Valley wines ahead of November’s auction.

Following the press conference, Stacey Dolan Capitani commented, “Today’s reception for the international debut of Premiere Napa Valley was remarkable. Given its 20-year history in the United States, where the Premiere concept is widely known, today’s fresh enthusiasm, interest in the wineries’ unique back stories and glowing feedback on the wines themselves was overwhelming.

“It was my privilege to present these wines and the Premiere Napa Valley initiative on behalf of some of our region’s top vintners, showcasing the outstanding level of winemaking on offer in the United States today. With the Hong Kong market having recently demonstrated its enthusiasm for the wines of California, I believe this showing, along with the upcoming auction in November, will catapult Napa Valley to first-class status in Hong Kong and further afield in Asia.”

Debra Meiburg MW remarked about the quality of the wines and suitability for Asian market: “We presented some extraordinary wines today, demonstrative of the quality of Premiere Napa Valley. Hong Kong boasts a hearty population of collectors with cellars full of Old World masterpieces, yet their maturing palates, increasing curiosity and enthusiasm to discover the ‘the next big thing’ fit perfectly with the Premiere Napa Valley offering.”

It was revealed today that November’s auction will present at least 25 60-bottle lots by top quality Napa Valley producers like Dalla Valle Vineyards, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, Shafer Vineyards, Joseph Phelps Vineyards, Spottswoode Estate Vineyard & Winery, Cakebread Cellars and Duckhorn Vineyards, among a host of other well-known names.

The Hong Kong wine auction market is the biggest in the world, making it an obvious choice for the United States’ most prestigious made-for-auction wines to make their international debut. Over the last two years alone, the Premiere Napa Valley auction in Napa has raised US$11.9 million. Proceeds support the NVV’s mission to promote, protect and enhance the Napa Valley appellation.

Dolan Capitani said, “Our decision to launch in Hong Kong now, after 20 years of annual auctions in the United States, was driven by both the success of the Premiere Napa Valley brand in the US, as well as the strength and maturity of the Hong Kong market. Buoyed by the support of Christie’s, Hong Kong was the clear choice for our first international launch both because of the enthusiastic auction market, as well as its position as market leader in Asia, driving demand for New World wines.

“Prices for these ultra-premium 60-bottle lots have fetched as much as US$260,000 - the record price paid in 2014 by The Wine House in Los Angeles for 60 bottles of 2012 Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon - to an average price of US$2,933 per case (12 bottles) in 2016.

“Regulars at the annual auction include Dean and Deluca (US and Japan), Del Frisco’s Steakhouse, wine.com <http://wine.com/> and numerous US and international private clubs, which speaks volumes about Premiere’s reputation State-side. Further afield, Nakagawa Wine Company from Tokyo is a notable and regular international buyer at Premiere Napa Valley.”

Simon Tam, Head of Wine for Christie’s auction house, in charge of November’s auction, said, “We are thrilled to be offering Premiere Napa Valley to the voracious Hong Kong wine auction market for the first time in November. As such highly prized and valuable wines in the United States, we expect significant demand for these American treasures among Hong Kong’s keen collectors and high profile trade buyers.”

Premiere Napa Valley is the chance for the region’s best winemakers bring creativity and innovation to the forefront of their winemaking, producing one-off small lots of wines for the exclusive annual auction. Where winemakers are often limited by the constraints of house styles and label consistency year on year, Premiere Napa Valley offers total creative freedom – like a collectible work of art – destined for one owner only, given each lot is sold as a whole, ensuring total exclusivity.

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