Featuring unique and one of a kind offerings, the Live Auction Lots presented at the Serenade To Youth fundraiser represent a wide variety of first-class wine, exclusive experiences, and dazzling stars to mingle and dine with.

2008 Serenade to Youth Live Auction Lots:

LOT #1 SYLVIA MCNAIR PRIVATE CONCERT

Generously Donated by Sylvia McNair

Two-time Grammy Award winning diva SYLVIA MCNAIR will perform a private one-hour concert for you and your friends in this once-in-a-lifetime party that you can host at your home or another location.  With over 70 recordings to her name, Sylvia McNair has dazzled audiences all over the globe. Lawrence Scherer in the Wall Street Journal wrote of her latest show, "In recent years, such first-rank classical artists as Renee Fleming and Sylvia McNair have proved adept at jazz vocals. The idiom is in their blood."  And critic Rex Reed praised McNair's sensational Algonquin Oak Room debut, saying "I could get used to this kind of ecstasy.” 

Date and location of her appearance will be mutually agreed upon.  This package includes Ms. McNair's airfare, hotel and ground transportation.  Plus she will autograph her CDs for you and your guests. 

Value:  Priceless

Minimum Bid: $5,000

LOT #2  CAVE DINING AND CHAMBER MUSIC 

Generously Donated By George & Caddy Grodahl and Hoss Zaré

Host a dinner party for twelve in a private, beautifully appointed intimate dining cave on a to-die-for Yountville property overlooking the Napa Valley. Hoss Zaré, of “Zaré” restaurant in San Francisco, will be your chef for this intimate gathering. Hoss will prepare a fabulous seven-course, yes seven, all expenses paid tasting menu.  For your dining pleasure, the meal will be paired with fine Napa Valley wines throughout an evening that you and your friends will never forget. To top it off, you will have the accompaniment of a string quartet available to you for this soirée.  This one of a kind experience may be scheduled for any Sunday in the month of June 2008. Don’t forget Father’s Day is June 15th.

Now there's a big hint, and you don't even have to lift a finger.

Value:  $2500

 Minimum Bid: $1,500 (covers food and wine costs) 

LOT #3 PRIVATE CONCERT WITH TERRY BRADFORD

Generously Donated By Terry Bradford

Internationally renowned as Celine Dion's duet partner, pop star TERRY BRADFORD performs for you his inspirational new show in your living room or other venue mutually agreed upon venue.  The list of his singing partners reads like a Who's Who in the pop music world.  The substance of Terry's song is clear and strong: find a way to unconditionally love yourself and what you have to offer the world; changing the world begins with you.  His range, versatility and sheer power are a joy to listen to -- his latest CD is entitled "In Concert in Napa Valley."

Time and date to be agreed upon by the winner and Mr. Bradford. Travel and accommodations not included.  

Value: Priceless

LOT #4 HARLAN ESTATE PRIVATE BARREL TASTING AND MEADOWOOD NAPA VALLEY ACCOMODATIONS

Generously Donated by Harlan Estate and Meadowood

For nearly two decades, Harlan Estate has been committed to creating a California "First Growth" wine estate.  Bill Harlan and his team, led by the talented winemaker Bob Levy and irrepressible Managing Director Don Weaver, have created the stuff of enological legend on this fertile land.  Set in the western hills of Oakville, rising above the fabled Napa Valley benchlands, the estate is over 240 acres of natural splendor; oak-studded knolls and valleys, roughly fifteen percent of which are under vine, planted to the classic varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. But more than that, Harlan Estate is a family homestead; a place of great inspiration, carved from the raw land, built for generations. 

Witness that inspiration for yourself and three guests as Don Weaver hosts you to an extremely rare and intimate tour and tasting of these impossible to get Harlan Estate wines.  

If this sets your head spinning, not to worry, because you will have one of the best places to lay your head at the exquisite Meadowood Resort.  A four-course dinner for two coupled with wines, two 60-minute sumptuous massages and gorgeous two-night accommodations for a couple await you at this serene property located in a dream-like, two hundred-fifty acre valley.   Meadowood is reminiscent of a private estate in a bygone era. Gracious hospitality defines the style of service and timeless, natural beauty the sense of place.  The property features championship croquet lawns, seven tennis courts, a nine-hole walking golf course, hiking trails, swimming, and a full-service health spa.  (Gift certificate for this experience is available Sunday through Thursday and is not valid in September or October.)

Whether you want to partake in this abundance of activities or just relax and breathe slowly, this is an opportunity not to miss – one of the most exclusive wines in the world coupled with some of the most gracious dining and amenities the wine country has to offer.

Value:  $4000 

LOT #5 CONDUCT THE NAPA VALLEY YOUTH SYMPHONY

Generously Donated by Ming Luke 

Conduct the Napa Valley Youth Symphony! No, this is NOT a dream. Work with NVYS Music Director Ming Luke in two private lessons followed by two lessons in front of the full Napa Valley Youth Symphony.  Then make your conducting debut!  Plus you will receive your own custom-made baton and learn how to make the violins sing, the brass resound, and the woodwinds dance!  Your debut with the Napa Valley Youth Symphony will take place during 08-09 season.  This is your chance to be Mini-Ming – Bravo, Maestro!   

Value:  Priceless 

LOT #6 FULL BARREL OF 2007 NAPA VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON PRODUCED BY SILVER OAK'S DANIEL BARON

Generously Donated by Silver Oak 

This one of a kind offering is a full American oak barrel (59 gallons) of 2007 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon specially blended for this event by Silver Oak Cellars Director of Winemaking, Daniel Baron. The wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot from vineyards in Calistoga, Rutherford and Soda Canyon and was produced by Silver Oak.  This memorable wine displays a rich, ruby color and aromas of black cherry, chocolate and Asian spices. It is well-rounded on the palate and has a long, smooth finish. Silver Oak will barrel age the wine in its cellars and bottle it in 2009. Final yield to the lucky high bidder will be 22 cases of unique, delicious Napa Valley Cabernet. 

Silver Oak Cellars has been crafting extraordinary Cabernet Sauvignon for over 35 years. Their wines are designed to be deliciously drinkable from the day they are released and their Cabernet Sauvignon grows more supple and luxurious over time. The throngs of wine lovers that descend on the Oakville winery twice a year for the release of the latest vintage are testimony to the continued allure of this classic Californiaicon thanks in part to Daniel Baron -- the man with the purple hands at Silver Oak since 1994-- and the producer of this barrel. 

Note: This unique barrel of wine is not Silver Oak blend and will not be labeled as Silver Oak. 

Value:  $12,000 

LOT #7  TWO PRIVATE BEACHFRONT VILLAS ON THE MEXICAN RIVIERA

Generously Donated by Napa Smith Breweryand Smith & Cutuli Winery

Live it up with a five-night stay in a secluded, privately owned beachfront villa complex -- ALL for you and your guests -- on the grounds of the Playa Escondida resort in Sayulita, Mexico.   Your complex consists of two villas containing four bedrooms and four bathrooms in all, a kitchen and a private pool just a few steps from the beach.  The stay includes access to the resort’s other amenities including a gourmet restaurant, spa, infinity pool and horseback riding on the beach and jungle trails.  Ideally situated 40 minutes north of Puerto Vallarta in the Riviera Nayarit region, Mexico’s hottest new destination, you will love this nature oasis  -- watching sunsets from hammocks or enjoying the sub-tropical splendor.  The Sayulita waves have fulfilled the dreams of beginner to advanced surfers from all over the world.  This exclusive, beachfront paradise is available for your 5-night holiday stay through the end of August, 2008.  Please see Beach Villas 1-4 at www.playa-escondida.com/ for full details and pictures of what awaits the lucky winner. 

Value:  $4000 

LOT #8  OTTIMINO GUEST HOUSE STAY AND WINEMAKER DINNER

Generously Donated by Brad Alper and William Knuttel  

The Ottimino Guest House is set amidst the vines of the winery’s home ranch, Ottimino Vineyard. The cottage, originally the home of the winery’s namesake, is secluded and offers expansive views and total privacy.  It is fully furnished and features 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a 6 person hydrotherapy hot tub and indoor infrared sauna.  The cottage is five minutes from the historic town of Occidental and thirty minutes from Healdsburg, Bodega Bay, and Santa Rosa. After a day of wine tasting, you can enjoy a sunset barbeque overlooking the vineyard or dine at any one of the fabulous Sonoma County restaurants located nearby.  This package includes a two-night stay at the guest house.

While there, enjoy every moment of a Winemaker Dinner with Bill Knuttel and a private chef  — including a vertical tasting of six vintages from the old vines at Von Weidlich Vineyard!!  You and your own private chef will select the menu together, of course, paired with the wines.   Finally, you will go home with a large format bottle autographed by proprietors Bill Knuttel and Brad Alper!!

Value: $2000 

LOT #9 FULL BARREL OF 2006 WILLIAM KNUTTEL NAPA VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON (300 BOTTLES IN CUSTOM PACKAGE)

Generously Donated by William Knuttel 

This unique 2006 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon was produced especially for the Serenade to Youth by William Knuttel, proprietor of William Knuttel Winery and Ottimino. Knuttel was formerly winemaker at Chalk Hill Winery and Saintsbury, and is no stranger to 90+ point wines—in fact, he scored two of those just last month with Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast for Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux blends!!!! The grapes, from the Trio Vineyard in Yountville, were farmed by Nord Vineyards, one of the oldest of the premiere vineyard managers in Napa Valley. The wine was produced in Bordelais fashion, blended with Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec, and aged in French oak for 18 months. This robustly elegant wine, to be bottled in spring 2008, has dense color and is plush with blackberry, black cherry and cassis flavors, highlighted with toasty oak. A full 25 cases (300 bottles) will be bottled from the two barrels of wine produced solely for the benefit of the Napa Valley Youth Symphony.  Imagine your own vineyard with wines produced for you . . .and guess what? We’ll bottle it in 750ml bottles, magnums, or 3L. The winning bidder chooses!

Value: $15,000 
  

LOT #10  DINNER WITH BRET SABERHAGEN AT NAPA VALLEY RESERVE, PRECEDED BY TWILIGHT TASTING AT OPUS ONE

Generously Donated by Bret Saberhagen, Daniel Baron and Opus One 

In 1985, Bret Saberhagen became the youngest player to ever win the Cy Young Award, when he collected the honor at the age of 21. That season he won Game Seven of the World Series, leading the Kansas City Royals to their first World Championship and was voted Most Valuable Player of the series. In 1989, Saberhagen won his second Cy Young, posting 23 wins with a 2.16 ERA, after going 18-2 in his last 20 decisions and blazing a miniscule 1.29 ERA over the last two months of the season. Bret went on to pitch for the Mets, Rockies and Red Sox over 18 major league seasons.  In addition to his passion for baseball which he manifests coaching high school ball in Southern California, Bret has a great love and knowledge of fine wine demonstrated by his membership at the exclusive Napa Valley Reserve.   

You and five guests have a rare opportunity to share a twilight champagne, wine and caviar private tasting and tour at Opus One founded by Baron Philippe de Rothschild and renowned Napa Valley vintner Robert Mondavi.  This is followed by a private dinner at Napa Valley Reserve, with baseball legend Bret Saberhagen and Silver Oak Director of Winemaking, Daniel Baron.  Two great raconteurs with exquisite food and wine.  Fast balls, slow food and fine wine!  Sorry, No Pepper Games allowed at the Reserve.

Value:  $3000