2010 HOSPICE DU RHÔNE - PASO ROBLES, CA -

Some statistics on the Rhône wine auction lots held at the 18th annual Hospice du Rhône on Friday & Saturday, April 30 & May 1, 2010, 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.

The Rhonely Hearts Club Band with Paddle #113 Missing

Auctioneer Todd Ventura was very effective in getting the crowd warmed up and well into the bidding, while bidders lunched on some fabulous food from Sondra Bernstein's the Girl & the Fig Restaurant in Sonoma, CA.

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. It's interesting to see how many of these lots are bought by restaurateurs. It would appear if you paid close attention to the buyers, you might indeed be able to try some of these wines on your next visit to one of these particular restaurants.

Without a doubt, the auction lots that garnered the most excitement this year were the ones where Charles Smith was actively bidding. Taking a seat just in time for the start of the auction, Charles noticed he had forgotten to do something important - register for a bidding paddle. For the auction, the Rhonely Hearts Club figures guarding the buffet had their heads swapped out with bidding paddles. So, the ever enterprising K Vintners winemaker slipped over, grabbed paddle #113 and proceeded to amuse and amaze everyone with his unique digital bidding style by using a finger here and there as the situation warranted. Almost single handedly, Charles helped create one of the most successful HdR auctions so far.