Going Once, Going Twice... Give!

The Food and Wine Foundation of Texas held their 28th Annual Rare and Fine Wine Auction last Saturday at the Four Seasons Hotel in Austin, raising money for Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas and for the Foundation. With donations from primarily local individuals and businesses, the Foundation raised $366,000 in one evening.

There were live and silent auctions for bottles of wine and liquor, restaurant and hotel private dinners and getaways, and vineyard tours in California and Texas. In addition to the auction, the Foundation arranged a “Paddles Up” challenge, with all money going directly to Dell Children’s Medical Center. Around $55,000 was raised in a matter of minutes and with $10,000 pledged from one compassionate donor.

Other interesting statistics: The top bid was $6,000 on 3 bottles of 2010 Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon. And the lot of Texas wines, sponsored by William Chris Vineyards and Becker Vineyards (6 bottles and one Imperial from Becker Vineyards and two Magnums, plus a tour and tasting for William Chris Vineyards), went for $1,000.

This auction was one of their most successful in the history of The Wine and Food Foundation and they will use their portion of the money for operating costs, culinary, sommelier, and viticulture scholarships, grants for creative projects in the food and wine industry, and a series of other sponsored events.