2/19/2024 – Saint Helena, CA – Today marks the beginning of Premiere Napa Valley week; the most significant business event of the year for those who buy and sell Napa Valley wines. The auction and events that take place during the week are known among wine trade as the best week in Napa Valley.
“Premiere Napa Valley is the highlight of the year in the Napa Valley wine industry. Our community is looking forward to welcoming trade partners from around the world for tasting events leading up to the auction and connecting virtually with those who cannot be here in person. We are grateful to have so many trade partners taking part in this year’s auction and events. We can’t wait to premier the 2022 vintage,” said Meghan Zobeck, Winemaker for Burgess and chair of Premiere Napa Valley 2024.
With more than half of NVV’s 550 member wineries participating, Premiere week is the ultimate time of year to discover new brands and strengthen existing relationships. Global wine trade consider doing business an essential part of their Premiere week experience.
“They call this the best week in Napa Valley and I can see why. While the main agenda is the auctions, this is an amazing opportunity to meet with many wine growers, taste a wide array of wines, in a super friendly and collegial atmosphere,” said Linden Wilkie, Fine Wine Experience in Hong Kong.
Napa Valley is known for its collaborative spirit among wineries and that is on display during Premiere Napa Valley. The auction offers winemakers the opportunity to collaborate on joint lots and during Premiere week they come together to host multi-winery hospitality tastings. In attendance at the 35 preview tastings will be 200 wineries from Napa Valley. In addition to tasting lots all throughout the week, on Friday, trade members will have the opportunity to taste all of the 166 lots up for auction at the barrel tasting.
On Tuesday, February 20 at 10 a.m. trade members are invited to join in a virtual session exploring Napa Valley’s culture of collaboration and camaraderie moderated by Doug Shafer, strategic advisor for Shafer Vineyards and host of the podcast The Taste with Doug Shafer. Open to all members of the wine trade. Register via Zoom.
Bidding is live now, and wine trade from anywhere in the world can place a bid on Premiere Napa Valley wines through Sotheby’s online auction platform. The auction culminates in a live-broadcast on Saturday, February 24 beginning at 1 p.m.
About Napa Valley Vintners
The Napa Valley Vintners nonprofit trade association has been cultivating excellence since 1944 by inspiring its nearly 550 members to consistently produce wines of the highest quality, provide environmental leadership and care for the extraordinary place they call home. NVV has invested more than $230 million in community healthcare, youth development and the environment in Napa County, and is dedicated to improving diversity and championing inclusivity in its community and in the wine industry. Learn more at napavintners.com.
