Naples, FL. – The Miller Family and Thornhill Wine Company are proud to have been a participant in the Live Wine Auction at The Naples Winter Wine Festival, where Bien Nacido and Solomon Hills Estate Wines’ Auction Lot sold for an astounding $220,000 – a record breaking amount for a first-time winery participant.
Now in its 19th year, The Naples Winter Wine Festival, which took place at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort on Saturday, January 26 in Naples, Florida, benefits The Naples Children & Education Foundation (NCEF). Established in 2001, NCEF seeks to make a profound and sustaining difference in the lives of children in Collier County, and has raised over $191 million for children in need, partnering with non-profits, colleges and foundations to create lasting solutions for underprivileged and at-risk children suffering hunger, health problems and hindered early development.
The Thornhill Companies was thrilled to be a participant in the live auction portion of this prestigious festival, offering an exclusive lot that would allow the auction winners a chance to personally discover Santa Barbara County and the Santa Maria Valley AVA in particular – home to the famed Bien Nacido Estate and the Miller Family’s second winegrowing venture, Solomon Hills. The “Central California Dreamin’ Lot” included 3-litre bottles of Bien Nacido and Solomon Hills wines, in addition to unparalleled experiences for two, including but not limited to a private vertical tasting and tour of the properties with winemaker Trey Fletcher and vineyard manager Chris Hammell, a four-course meal and wine pairings with owner Nicholas Miller and Estates Ambassador and Master Sommelier Will Costello, and several nights accommodations at the Bien Nacido Estate and The Ritz-Carlton Bacara.
The Central California Dreamin’ Lot went for an outstanding $110,000, but to everyone’s surprise, the winning couple asked for that amount to be doubled, resulting in the Bien Nacido and Solomon Hills Estate Lot selling for an unprecedented, record breaking $220,000. “It was an honor to be part of The Naples Winter Wine Festival’s live auction for the first time this year, to benefit such an important foundation as The Naples Children & Education Foundation.” says winemaker Trey Fletcher. “What a surprise when the winning couple asked if we would be willing to double the amount! We can’t think of a more deserving cause than one that supports children, so we are incredibly grateful and delighted to have been involved in the raising of funds for NCEF to help make a difference in many children’s lives.”
ABOUT BIEN NACIDO AND SOLOMON HILLS ESTATE WINES
Bien Nacido and Solomon Hills Estates are part of The Thornhill Companies, the industry-leading umbrella brand owned by the Miller Family – one of California’s premier winegrowing families who have been farming California’s Central Coast for five generations. The Thornhill Companies includes the prestigious Bien Nacido and Solomon Hills Estates and Miller Family Wine Company, which includes the management of French Camp Vineyard in Paso Robles, acclaimed national wine brands including J. Wilkes, Ballard Lane, Barrel Burner, and Smashberry, Control Label brands with prominent retailers across the U.S., and the leading regional winery facilities of Central Coast Wine Services and Paso Robles Wine Services.
For more information, please visit www.biennacidoestate.com.
