Gualala Arts’ Korbel Champagne Preview, Wine Tasting & Auction has come to be identified with the Soroptimists Architectural Tour that happens each year on the coast during Mother’s Day weekend.
Featuring more than a dozen wineries from throughout Napa, Sonoma and Mendocino counties, this 34th annual wine tasting and auction is the premier wine event on the coast with hundreds of wine related auction lots available for bidding, raffle prizes worth thousands of dollars -- including a grand prize of a two-night stay in a Sea Ranch vacation rental, a painting by Bay Area artist Sandy Ostrau, and a basket of goodies that includes wine tours and tickets to a year’s worth of Gualala Arts events.
The Korbel Champagne Preview takes place Friday, May 11, at 5:00pm at the Arts Center. Guests can preview auction items and place early bids. On Saturday, at 3:00pm, following the architectural tour, the real fun happens with wine tasting, bidding, raffle prizes, and excellent appetizers served by the Gualala Arts Culinary Guild.
Tickets to the both the wine event and Soroptimists architectural tour can be purchased separately and in advance at BrownPaperTickets.com or by calling 1-800-838-3006. Tickets for the Gualala Arts wine auction are $25 in advance, plus $5 the day of the event.
Advanced tickets for the Soroptimists Architectural tour are $60 in advance, plus $5 the day of the tour. This ticket includes the wine tasting and auction. Purchase tickets by check or cash at the Gualala Country Inn, 47975 Center St., in Gualala (phone: 707-884-4343).
On the day of the tour, tickets are available at the Gualala Arts Center or Two Fish Bakery at the Stewarts Point Store from 10:00am to 12:30pm.
This year’s wine auction grand sponsor is Vacasa Vacation Rentals, who donated the top prize of a two-night rental stay. Woodenhead Wines and Korbel Champagne Cellars are platinum sponsors, contributing more than $1,500 worth of wine and champagne for the event.
Pouring wineries include Carol Shelton Wines, Fort Ross Vineyard and Winery, Frey Vineyards, Gustafson Family Vineyard, Korbel Champagne Cellars, Lazy Creek Vineyards, Wild Hog Vineyards, Woodenhead Wines, Naughty Boy Vineyards, Flowers Vineyards and Winery, and Husch Vineyards.
Many local wineries and businesses donate premium auction lots in addition to bottles of award-winning wines, including wine related gifts, golf packages, winery tours, and other great items.