2006 HOSPICE DU RHÔNE - PASO ROBLES, CA -

Some statistics on the Rhône wine auction lots held at the 14th annual Hospice du Rhône on Friday & Saturday, May 12 & 13, 2006, in Paso Robles, CA. The HdR is a two-day event featuring wine seminars, all-Rhône tastings, and a barrel auction, each with perhaps the most perfect opportunity to meet and talk with the producers who are at the forefront of the increasingly visible Rhône movement. Presenters and attendees come from all over the US - as well as France, Australia, and South Africa. Many wineries will donate a 1/4 barrel, a 1/2 barrel or even a full barrel (20 cases) of wine from their caves and cellars for this event; still others will donate rare case lots or large format bottles. This year included a several other items - the-first-and-the-last Syrah from Brian Loring (he's a Pinot guy, what more can be said), a Seine river cruise, several special dinners, a stand-alone wine cellar - plus a startup case of wine, a 3-day tasting at CIA's Greystone facility in Napa Valley, several unusual collections of bottles, and many one-of-a-kind wines.

Auctioneer Ursula Hermacinski was very effective in getting the crowd warmed up and well into the bidding, while bidders lunched on some fabulous food from Maegen Loring's Park Restaurant in San Luis Obispo.

I've been to a few auctions and done a little on-line surfing of popular auction websites, but these lots weren't something you'd see on e-bay or winecommune. Of course, neither were the final bids for that matter.

Without a doubt, the auction lot that garnered the most excitement was the one donated by Justin Smith. Included were 18 magnums of 2004 Bone Rock Syrah, and 12 magnums of Heart Stone Syrah - a total of 30 mags that went for magnificent sum of $26,000.

Another interesting lot was that from Brian Loring. Brian's name has become synonymous with Pinot Noir, but he was moved enough by his exposure to Syrah at last year's event, to declare that he would make and donate a single barrel of Syrah from Gary's Vineyard in the Santa Lucia Highlands. As the Pulp Fiction's character Vincent said, "now, that's a bold statement."