We are excited to announce these incredible silent auction items for Paella at the Ranch. Get ready to bid generously, knowing the proceeds will go toward building the first Habitat for Humanity home in the Napa Valley!
Item #1: Culinary Masters
Hone your cooking skills, along with a friend, in the beautiful Napa Valley with Chef Julie Logue-Riordan. Julie’s Market Tour Cooking Classes take a seasonal and hands-on approach to cooking, combining a relaxed, congenial atmosphere with personal instruction that guides you through every stage of recipe preparation. Refine your culinary chops even further with author and cheese expert Janet Fletcher with a Master Cheese Class for two. Enjoy an evening of artisanal cheese and wine at the lovely Silverado Cooking School (during the 2017 season) where you’ll sample exceptional wheels from around the globe and leave as a more knowledgeable consumer and a smarter cheese shopper.
Item #2: Unwind & Dine by the River
Relax and rejuvenate by the river at the beautiful Milliken Creek Spa, where the philosophy is to ensure a natural, organic and healing encounter from beginning to end. You will delight in a 75- minute aromatherapy massage and a 90-minute sea salt scrub treatment. Dine at The Corner Napa, a restaurant in downtown Napa’s Riverfront Promenade featuring modern American cuisine and hand-crafted cocktails. Their seasonal menu offers tantalizing Bar Bites such as Heritage Pork Tostones and Wild Mushroom Arancini. Dive in further with main course options like a Squid Ink Risotto, Hand Rolled Fusilli, or Passmore Ranch Sturgeon.
Item #3: Experience St. Helena
Explore the quaint and beloved town of St. Helena for a shopping spree at some of the best boutiques the Napa Valley has to offer, including ACRES home & garden, Amelia Claire, and Daisy Clothing Boutique. Catch a flick at the Cameo Cinema, a 100+-year-old community hub of arts and entertainment and enjoy dinner at Archetype. Locally farmed American meals are the draw at this stylish neighborhood eatery founded and designed by renowned architect, Howard Backen. And for those chocoholics in the group, six monthly gift certificates (May – October) for a box of rich, flavorful chocolates and confections from Woodhouse Chocolates. Yum!
Item #4: Paradigm Winery
Take home three bottles of Paradigm Winery 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon in a beautiful wooden box. Savor this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot from their Oakville estate. Deep ruby red color with aromas of plum and black cherry, some spice, hints of cedar, and a light touch of French Oak, this wine is smooth as silk and ready to drink. Flavors match the aromas, balance is refined, and the finish is soft and lush. Tasty now and over the next 10-12 years.
Item #5: Spoil A Loved One
With Mother’s Day around the corner, what better way to honor her – or your sweetheart – than with a gift certificate valued at $500 to spend at either Patina Estate & Fine Jewelry or Palladium Fine Jewelry. These beautiful shops are located in the heart of St. Helena on Main Street, and are owned by the fabulous Marcus Robbins and Wayne Armstrong, who between them have over forty years of jewelry experience. At Patina, peruse their exquisite collection of antique and estate jewelry including platinum and diamond treasures from the Edwardian and Art Deco eras. Palladium, across the street, showcases the most sought after brands in designer jewelry and fine timepieces, as well as treasures designed and created in their own studio.
Item #6: Paddle Around
Grab your adventurous friend and take a tour of the Napa River with the best waterfront view in town…from the seat of a kayak! On this incredible journey, voyage through time with a Napa native guide who is passionate about the river and history of the Napa Valley. After working up an appetite, enjoy a tasty meal for two – lunch or dinner – at Kitchen Door, a Todd Humphries restaurant located in the Oxbow Public Market. Savor local, seasonal cuisine with an eclectic, global menu conceived and prepared by classically trained chefs.
Item #7: Magnum of 2006 Etude Heirloom Pinot Noir
This open and inviting Pinot Noir begins with aromas of rose petal, black tea, tart cherry and spice. The rich fruit flavors and vibrant acidity keep the wine well-lifted on the palate. The round, fine-grained tannins and wonderful oak integration carry through on the finish, which is persistent with hints of orange zest and minerality. This young wine will continue to evolve for several more years and promises exceptional complexity and age-worthiness. All the fruit in this Pinot Noir is grown on the Etude Estate Vineyards in Carneros.
Item #8: Experience Yountville
Soar to new heights with Napa Valley Aloft and experience the stunning sights of the valley from above with a hot air balloon ride for two. Enjoy a little shopping at I-Elle, a clothing boutique in V Marketplace, and check out other nearby shops for a few more goodies. We’d recommend Kollar Chocolates, but there’s a great assortment of specialty shops in the beautiful 1870 vine-covered brick building worth perusing. Enjoy lunch or dinner at famed Chef Michael Chiarello’s Bottega restaurant, where rustic Italian fare is served in a lively, indoor-outdoor setting at an historic winery estate. Two bottles of Hill Family Estate Wines, Carly’s Cuvee Chardonnay and a Syrah Clarke Vineyard, are included in this lot to enjoy with your dinner at Bottega or in the comfort of your home.
Item #9: Sisters Boutique Gift Package
Take home this beautiful collection of classic neutral accessories from Sisters Boutique in Yountville. Adorn your new metallic handbag, a trendy tribal print scarf, chic felt hat, stylish sunglasses, modern drop earrings, and a hammered cuff bracelet. Also included is Kai Body Butter and spa gift certificates.
Item # 10: Presidio with a Pro
Gather a group of four history buffs and make your way to the Presidio in San Francisco for a private tour and lunch with Retired Lt. Col. William (Bill) Chadwick, a 40-year decorated combat veteran and lecturer at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey. While serving in the Army, Bill was assigned to the Presidio where he supervised an 800-soldier garrison staff and became intimately knowledgeable of the facilities and lore of the 1440-acre former U.S. Army installation. The tour can be tailored to fit a variety of physical abilities and includes lunch.
Item # 11: Magnum of 2013 Alpha Omega Proprietary Red
Overall, 2013 was an epic Napa vintage, and red wines from this year are ripe and voluptuous. A seamless tapestry of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc from prime vineyards, this is gravelly Napa Valley royalty in a bottle. Extremely fruity, this blend is all about blueberry and cherry jam, cassis, and espresso flavors. The 2013 Alpha Omega Proprietary Red is an opulent wine that will strut its stuff with 10 years or more in the bottle.
Item #12: Day on the Bay for Two
Enjoy an exciting San Francisco Bay experience onboard California Maritime Academy’s Training Ship “Golden Bear” to celebrate Fleet Week and enjoy a front row seat at the US Navy Blue Angels air-show. The ship departs from Vallejo as you enjoy a full-day on the open sea (9:30am-6:00pm) including a continental breakfast, live music, lunch, and an assortment of snacks.
Item #13: Escape to the City
Head to San Francisco and stay two nights at the Marriott Marquis Hotel, boasting awe-inspiring views, astonishing amenities and unparalleled customer service. Enjoy a meal at Kokkari Estiatorio, offering taverna-inspired cuisine that honors the Greek table, served in a candlelit, wood-beamed dining room that lures a chic crowd. While in the city, hop on and off the Gray Line sightseeing bus at your leisure, and be sure to allot plenty of time for your trip to enjoy the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (MOMA, to locals), beckoning visitors to “Come with an open mind. Leave with so much more.”