2018 Destin Charity Wine Auction Raises $2.86 Million for Children in Need in Northwest Florida

Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation (DCWAF) celebrated the 13th Annual Destin Charity Wine Auction on April 28, raising more than $2.8 million for children in need in Northwest Florida. The record breaking results are a $160,000 increase over the $2.7 million raised last year. 

“We are humbled by the generosity shown by our patrons, the support of the wine industry, and the commitment of the charities that benefit from the auction,” said John Russell, president of DCWAF. “The fact that we once again increased the amount raised at our auction is a wonderful reflection on our community.”

The auction kicked off with the Magnum Force lot (50 autographed magnums from DCWAF vintners past and present), which raised a record winning bid of $65,000, before being donated back by the winning bidder in an unprecedented act of generosity. It sold again for $60,000, bringing the total funds raised from Magnum Force to $125,000. The highest single-selling lot was the rare and highly anticipated 2008 Tesla Roadster, earning $82,000. Donated by St. Joe Community Foundation, the lot included a signature green, 2008 Tesla Roadster with less than 3,000 miles on it and a stay at Watersound Origins complete with a variety of activities. The 2008 Tesla Roadster was the 18th ever produced by the revolutionary vehicle manufacturer.

Raising $46,000 was an eight-day African safari and wine experience donated by Steve Griessel of Betz Family Winery. This incredible trip includes four nights in presidential suites at the Molari Safari Lodge, three nights at the Babylonstoren in the heart of South African wine country, private airfare, multi-format wines, numerous winery tours and tastings, and the ultimate VIP treatment for the duration of the winners’ stay. A trip to Santorini sold four times for a total of $80,000 while an immersive trip to Montepulciano, Italy sold five times for $85,000.

DCWAF broke from tradition for the first time in history at the 13th Annual Destin Charity Wine Auction, offering a lot designed to benefit the fire victims in Napa and Sonoma counties. The lot, which boasted a private dinner for 12 with celebrity chef John Currence and a multitude of highly rated rare wines, raised $44,000.

The remaining funds raised are distributed to 15 local non-profit organizations for specific projects and programs that benefit children. Charity partners for 2018 include Children in Crisis, Children’s Volunteer Health Network, Emerald Coast Autism Center, the Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center, Food for Thought, Habitat for Humanity of Walton County, The Arc of the Emerald Coast, Opportunity Inc., Pathways for Change, Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast, Shelter House of Northwest Florida, AMIkids Emerald Coast, Boys and Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast, Mental Health Association of Okaloosa and Walton Counties, and Youth Village.

“The work our benefiting charities do within our local community to help children in need is tremendous. After 13 auctions, we are beginning to see a generation of success stories emmerging and becoming productive members of society thanks to the generosity of our patrons and the critical work of the organizations we support,” said Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation Chairwoman Joan Carter.

The 13th Annual Destin Charity Wine Auction was comprised of 50 unique Live Lots, 32 Super Silent offerings, and 161 Silent Lots. The sold out event was attended by approximately 600 wine enthusiasts, making it the most successful Destin Charity Wine Auction to date.

In addition, during the Wine Auction weekend, 12 Patron Dinners were held in notable restaurants and private homes in the area. These dinners pair celebrity chefs with participating vintners to create a memorable dining experience for every attendee. The Foundation is especially thankful to the Patron Hosts who opened the doors to their homes and restaurants and set the stage for the auction weekend. Auctions at each of these dinners recorded revenues of over $896,000, with $200,000 raised at the dinner hosted by Jim and Tammy Pierce with Jim and Ann Barri featuring Cardinale Winery and Chef Slade Rushing.

As the top charity fundraising event in Northwest Florida, the Destin Charity Wine Auction has been ranked among the nation’s top ten highest-grossing charity wine auctions in the country by Wine Spectator Magazine for six consecutive years and is currently ranked number three for the second year in a row. The money raised at this year’s auction will be presented to the charity partners during a check presentation event in August.

The dates for next year’s Destin Charity Wine Auction weekend are April 26 – 28, 2019. For more information on the Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation, visit www.DCWAF.org.

Featured Proprietors and Vintners: Honorary Vintner Steve Griessel of Betz Family Winery, Alycia Mondavi of Aloft and Dark Matter Wines, Perry Clark of Amizetta Estate Winery, Glenn Salva of Antica Napa Valley, Jake Krausz of Arkenstone, Erik Ackerman of Cardinale Winery, Mathieu Pouchan of Champagne Salon and Delamotte, Ted Henry of Clos du Val, Todd Newman of Dakota Shy, Nile Zacherle of David Arthur Vineyards, Kristina Dunn Buchanan of Dunn Vineyards, Whitney Fisher of Fisher Vineyards, Tom Gamble of Gamble Family Vineyards, Anthony and Olive Hamilton Russell of Hamilton Russell Vineyards, Ralph Hertelendy of Hertelendy Vineyards, Scott Morrison of Jarvis Estate Winery, Bryan Krutz of Krutz Family Cellars, Kim Whistler of Larkmead Vineyards, Sarah Marquis of Mollydooker, Bart O’Brien of O’Brien Estate, Greg Miller of Ram’s Gate Winery, Michael Hirby of Relic, Dr. Madaiah Revana of Revana Family Vineyards, Alexana Winery and Corazon Del Sol, Oscar Henquet of Rudd Oakville Estate, Lesley Keffer Russell of Saint Helena Winery, Joe Filippini of Terra Valentine, and Jean-Noel Fourmeaux of VGS Chateau Potelle.

Honorary Chefs and Restaurants: Honorary Chef Cindy Hutson of Ortanique on the Mile, Coral Gables, FL; Matthew Basford of Canoe, Atlanta, GA; Tim Creehan of Cuvee 30A, Cuvee Catering, & Grill Plus, Destin, FL; Sam Efron of Taverna San Marco, Jacksonville, FL; Todd Gray of Equinox, Washington, DC; Robert Harris of The Table, Cambridge, MA; Jack McGuckin of Bijoux, Miramar Beach, FL; Heyward McKenzie of Culinary Catering 365, Shalimar, FL; Tyson Peterson of The Sebastian – Vail, Vail, CO; Craig Richards of St. Cecilia and The Optimist, Atlanta, GA; Slade Rushing of Brennan’s, New Orleans, LA; Scotty Schwartz of 29 South, Fernandina Beach, FL; and Dan Vargo of Seagar’s Prime Steaks and Seafood, Miramar Beach FL.

Local Restaurants featured at the Reserve Tasting: Wild Olives (Rosemary Beach), Bijoux, Brotula’s Seafood House and Steamer, Cuvee Kitchen + Wine Bar, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, Seagar’s Prime Steaks & Seafood, Royal Palm Grille, The Henderson, Slick Lips Seafood & Oyster House, and Vue on 30a.

Sponsors:  Platinum: Newman-Dailey Resort Properties Inc. (Official Lodging Sponsor), and Setco Services, L.L.C. Gold: Chuck Hutton Toyota, Chan’s Wine World (Founding Sponsor), National Event Rentals, Quantum Workplace, REX-Lumber, Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast, Rowland Publishing, Trustmark Wealth Management, and Fisher Brown Bottrell Insurance Silver: Coastal Accounting, Ocoee Foundation Inc, Image Printing, St. Joe Community Foundation, and Wavefly Bronze: Merrill Lynch- Krueger, Fosdyck & Associate, Centennial Bank, Renovation Flooring, Destin Ice Market 30A, Acentria Insurance, Johnny on the Spot, Dermatology Solutions Group, Community Bank, Grand Boulevard, Green Earth Landscape Services, The Center for Cosmetic & Family Dentistry, Vicki Matthews – Coldwell Banker, Premier Print, GPL Landscaping, My Vacation Haven, The Legacy Cabinet Company, 21st Century Oncology, RJH and Associates, Silver Sands Premium Outlets, Enco Electronic Systems, Scenic Sotheby’s, Northwestern Mutual Insurance- Jeff Garrard, Virtuous Management Group, Galati Yacht Sales, Florida Agency Network, Hall & Runnells PA, Hand Arendall Harrison Sale LLC, Dixielectricar, Jim & Renee Beaman, Don & Janis Bishop, Jim & Sherre Bunch, Jeff & Debbie Epding, Don & Cathy Hay, Trevor & Lane Redding, Dann & Colette Schwartz, Maurice & Janine Stouse, Thomas Martin Foundation, Bert & Sue Trucksess, and Jack & Candis Wilson.