2003 HOSPICE DU RHÔNE - PASO ROBLES, CA -
Some statistics on the Rhône wine auction lots held at the 11th annual Hospice du Rhône on Friday & Saturday, May 30 & 31, 2003, in Paso Robles, CA. The HdR is a two-day event featuring wine seminars, all-Rhône tastings, barrel auction, and perhaps the best chance to meet and talk with the people who are at the forefront of the increasingly visible Rhône movement. Presenters and attendees are from France, Australia, South Africa, and from all over the US. Many of the wineries donate 1/4 barrels, 1/2 barrels or full barrels of wines from their caves and cellars - all in the name of charity.

Even though I've been to a few auctions, and even done a little e-bay surfing, these lots weren't something you'd see on e-bay. Of course, neither were the final bids for that matter. But, considering the worthy cause, everybody was getting into the spirit. Auctioneer Dave Reynolds amused everyone with his banter about levying fines on those who treied to practice any "spousal restraint." Then there was the fact that every full barrel in the auction seemed to consist of 20 cases - except for the one provided by Justin Winery, which was listed as 25 cases. Dave opined that Justin must indeed have "bigger barrels."

As if the wine alone wasn't enough incentive to bid, each winery seemed to have a little "something extra" to add to their auction lot. There were an assortment of celebrity chef dinners, a couple of B&B weekends, and even a sailboat cruise and lunch. But, the Eberle offering had what seemed to be one of the better inducements of the day. Owner Gary Eberle made a pitch for the barrel he donated by announcing that the winning bid would also receive "...pictures of Lorraine Alban, before she became Mrs. Lorraine Alban." Seemed like an amusing comment to everyone at the time. However, once the bidding began, it was interesting to note that Lorraine was doing much of the bidding herself!