Wine Spectator Magazine ranks DCWA #4 among wine auctions

Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation (DCWAF) announces the 2014 Charity Wine Auction ranked among the nation’s top four highest-grossing charity auctions in the country by Wine Spectator Magazine. Founded in 2005, DCWAF is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year and has donated more than $8 million to support a variety of children’s charities in Northwest Florida over the last decade. In 2014, DCWAF donated $2,035,000 to 12 area charities serving children in need. This marked a 57 percent increase from the 2013 results of $1.3 million.

Destin Charity Wine Auction is now among the most prestigious wine auctions in the country. For 2014, the top three ranking wine auctions are the Sonoma Harvest Wine Auction at number three, Naples Winter Wine Festival at two and the Auction Napa Valley, which is consistently the top charity wine auction in the country. 

“We are absolutely thrilled and humbled to achieve the number four ranking by Wine Spectator Magazine,” said John Russell, president, Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation. “After reaching number six last year, we knew it would be challenging to move up in rankings with so many incredible auctions taking place around the country. We are extremely grateful to all of our patrons, sponsors, volunteers and leadership for their hard work, loyalty, tenaciousness and generosity that have helped us to achieve this milestone. What this really represents is the positive impact we are having for children in our community.”

During the past several years, DCWAF has experienced exponential growth in name recognition, attendance and revenue.  As a result, the organization has been able to attract some of the most influential vintners in the world to participate in the event. In addition, the weekend draws celebrity chefs from across the country to be paired with premier vintners for patron dinners.

“South Walton has become the epicenter of the wine world the fourth weekend of April due to the auction and the South Walton Beaches Wine and Food Festival,” Russell said. “We have been able to gain significant traction year after year, which has allowed us to build a top-tier organization and draw enthusiastic support throughout the Southeast and beyond,” continued Russell. “We are blessed to have so many individuals and businesses donate their time and resources to grow this event, which has allowed us to impact the lives of more than 55,000 youth, including those afflicted by health issues and abuse.”

In 2015, Destin Charity Wine Auction will be held April 24-25 and will feature approximately 200 silent and live offerings, many of which are unavailable at other venues, and will welcome hundreds of auction attendees who look forward to the ability to secure rare and highly sought after wines and wine-oriented trips. This year’s Honorary Vintner is Joseph Phelps Vineyards, and the International Honorary Vintner is Chateau de Beaucastel. The vast selection of lots range from one-of-kind experiences in Italy, Switzerland, and France, including a stay Chteau de Beaucastel’s Guest House in Vinsobres, to highly coveted lots of rare wines.

The Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation is also the recipient of the proceeds generated from the South Walton Beaches Wine and Food Festival, which will be held on April 23-26 in Grand Boulevard at Sandestin. For more information about the Festival, and to secure tickets, visit www.sowalwine.com.

The 2015 Destin Charity Wine Auction will be held on Saturday, April 25, at Grand Boulevard at Sandestin.  The Patron Dinners, which support DCWAF, will be held on Friday evening, April 24. A limited number of tickets for Patron Dinners, which include tickets to the Charity Auction, are still available. For ticket information, please contact karah@dcwaf.org. For more information on DCWAF and the Auction, visit www.dcwaf.org.