Record-Breaking Auction Results
21st Annual Destin Charity Wine Auction presented by the Jumonville Family raises a record-breaking $4 million for children in need in Northwest Florida
The Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation (DCWAF) is pleased to announce that the 21st Annual Destin Charity Wine Auction presented by the Jumonville Family raised a record-breaking $4 million for children in need in Northwest Florida. The amount raised is a $550,000 increase over the previous year and the most ever raised at an auction in DCWAF history.
Hosted April 24 and 25 to a sold-out crowd of more than 600 guests, proceeds from the auction benefit DCWAF’s 16 partner children’s charities in Northwest Florida. This year’s auction marks 21 years of giving to children in need in Northwest Florida.
“This historic year for Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation is a powerful reflection of what happens when generosity and purpose come together. Surpassing $4 million is more than a record—it represents real, life-changing impact for children across Northwest Florida,” said DCWAF President, Karah Young. “The energy in the room was undeniable, highlighted by our highest-ever single lot sale at an unprecedented $400,000—an extraordinary moment that speaks to the passion, generosity, and unwavering commitment of our supporters. We are incredibly grateful to our patrons, vintners, sponsors, and partners who continue to make this mission possible year after year.”
The auction weekend began Friday, April 25 with 11 patron dinners hosted in private homes and restaurants spanning from Pensacola to Alys Beach that collectively raised an astounding $860,000. The live auction kicked off on Saturday, April 25 with DCWAF’s flagship Magnum Force lot featuring 50 magnums from vintners past and present that raised $55,000. The highest single-selling lot of the night was a nine-night, fully guided trip to Italy, generously donated by Marilisa Allegrini, that sold for an unprecedented $400,000.
Two other auction lots sold for over $100,000, marking the first time in DCWAF history that three, single-selling lots sold for six figures. An all-inclusive, four-night, chartered yacht excursion in the BVIs with private air passage sold for $150,000, and a seven-night stay in Virgin Gorda sold for $100,000.
DCWAF celebrated longtime friend and supporter Jean-Noël Fourmeaux of VGS Chateau Potelle as the 21st Annual Auction’s Honorary Vintner. Fourmeaux generously donated two live lots, an immersive stay in Napa Valley guided by Napa’s most famous French wine families and the only full piano of 2019 Piece de Resistance Cabernet Sauvignon in existence, that sold for a total of $98,000.
The funds raised at the 21st Annual Destin Charity Wine Auction presented by the Jumonville Family will be distributed to 16 local non-profit organizations for specific projects and programs that benefit children. DCWAF’s charity partners for 2026 are Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast, Boys and Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast, Caring & Sharing of South Walton, Children’s Home Society of Florida, Children in Crisis Inc., Children’s Volunteer Health Network, Ellison McCraney Ingram Foundation, Emerald Coast Autism Center, Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center, Habitat for Humanity of Walton County, Mental Health Association of Okaloosa and Walton Counties, Northwest Florida Guardian ad Litem, Opportunity Inc., Point Washington Medical Clinic, Westonwood Ranch, and Youth Village.
This year’s auction was comprised of 47 Live Lots, 17 Cellar Lots, 25 Super Silent Lots, and 110 Silent Lots featuring rare wines, luxury travel experiences, and many other one-of-a-kind items. The money raised at this year’s auction will be presented to DCWAF’s charity partners during a private check presentation ceremony scheduled for August at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort and Spa.
The date for next year’s 22nd Annual Destin Charity Wine Auction weekend is April 23-24, 2027. For more information on the Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation, visit www.DCWAF.org.
Featured Proprietors and Vintners: 2026 Honorary Vintner VGS Chateau Potelle, Artiste Winery, AXR Napa Valley, Cardinale, Dakota Shy, Domaine Clos de la Chapelle, Domaine Serene, Dossier Wine Collective, Doubleback, Fisher Vineyards, Forman Vineyard, Jarvis Estate, Leclerc Briant, Marilisa Allegrini Group, Memento Mori, Menagerie, Phifer Pavitt, Ponzi Vineyards, Pott Wine, Revana Wine Portfolio, Roy Estate, Sign of the Dove, Stalwørth, Taub Family Vineyards, Thompson 31Fifty, TOR, Vida Valiente, Vinuv.
Featured Chefs and Restaurants: Chef Nikhil Abuvala of Roux 30a, Chef Matthew Basford of Canoe, Chef Ignacio Bernal of Vin’tij Food + Wine, Chef Bill Briand of Little Bird, Chef Fleetwood Covington, III of Seagar’s Prime Steaks and Seafood, Tim Creehan of Cuvee 30A, Chef Drew Dzejak of Alys Beach Culinary, Chef Julio Lucero of Portofino Beach Resort, Chef Jack McGuckin of Bijoux Restaurant and Spirits, Chef Craig Richards of Lyla Lila, Chef Kyle Swift of Swiftly Catered, and Chef Dan Vargo of Fine Coastal Cuisine.
Local Restaurants featured at the Reserve Tasting: Bijoux Restaurant & Spirits, Browne Trading Co., O-Ku, Salty Butcher, Seagar’s Prime Steaks & Seafood, and The Citizen – Alys Beach, Vin’tij Food & Wine, and Wine Chips.
Sponsors: Presenting: The Jumonville Family; Platinum: Stephen & Joan Carter, Krueger, Fosdyck, Brown, McCall and Associates powered by New Edge Advisors, Lightz of Hope, Newman-Dailey Resort Properties, Ocoee Foundation, The Powell Family, Scenic Sotheby’s International Realty, Setco Services, Chan’s Wine World; Gold: 30A Wine Storage, Emerald Coast Magazine, Florida Agency Network, Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa, JM Phelps Construction, Renovation Flooring; Silver: The Alys Foundation, Balmain, Barker Williams Attorneys at Law, Coastal Accounting, Dahler & Co with Scenic Sotheby’s International Realty, Destin Plastic Surgery, Grand Boulevard Town Center, Kaiya Hotel & Beach Resort, Noah Detention Construction, Jim and Tammy Pierce, Sandestin Investments, Sundance Rental Management, Bert & Sue Trucksess, Trustmark Bank, United Community Bank, VIP Destin Magazine, Visit South Walton; Bronze: Acentria Insurance, Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast, Bal Harbour Shops, Jim & Renee Beaman, Blue Water Oral Surgery Center, Don Bradley and Trish Lawson,Mike & Alexa Castle, Clear 360, Coastal Closets of Florida, Jim & Sandi Continenza, Tony & Gina Crisafi – Billabong Grand Boulevard, Dr. Mark & Karen Criswell, Dermatology Specialists of Florida and Aqua Medical Spa, Jeff & Doreen Eckmann, Emmanuel Sheppard and Condon, Enco Electronic Systems, Fairholme Foundation, FI Real Estate Capital Management, Frances Roy Agency, Galati Yacht Sales, Jay & Shelli Grotrian, Jake & Shawn Hallsted, Hand Arendall Harrison Sale, Don and Cathy Hay, Tony and Kim Hollin, Ed and Denise Kendust, Market 30A, David and Patricia Maruna, Jim & Vicki Matthews, Matthew and Matthews Law, MDVIP and The Crane Center, Joe & Suzanne Quinlan, Renasant Bank, Revel Search, Rex Lumber, RJH and Associates, Royal Destinations, Saltwater Restaurant Group, Carl & Colleen Schoenbachler, Silver Sands Premium Outlets, VIP Magazine 30a, Vita Life Coastal Infusions, Walker Lee with Dahler & Co. Scenic Sotheby’s International Realty, Robert and Sara Whitfield, Byron and Brittany Williams, Drs. Nate and Selma Wilson
For press photos (credit Kiara Watson Photography), please click the following link: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/3exbiwjmk8zp5iqjbm74g/AKlcMeTyQiI6GcajRvq4vr4?rlkey=vbggsw7vovlbh285z2qz4nvrd&dl=0