High Museum wine auction nets $1.3MAtlanta Business Chronicle

The 2009 High Museum Atlanta Wine Auction pulled in $1.3 million, down 38 percent from the $2.1 million it brought in 2008.

The 17th annual reached a live auction total of more than $900,000. Silent auctions on Friday and Saturday and a Paddle Raise during the live auction, coupled with event ticket sales, brought the net profit up to $1.3 million.

Proceeds from the auction are a vital part of the Museum’s acquisition, exhibition and educational programming funds.

The highest auction bids came in for a Kosta Browne Collective Soul Food & Pinot Noir Experience, including dinner for 20 prepared by Chefs Kevin and Kent Rathbun and an acoustic appearance by Collective Soul’s Ed Roland. The lot sold twice, totaling $100,000. Selling for $44,000 was an exclusive Louis Latour and Champagne de Venoge adventure in Paris, Champagne and Burgundy. A special trip to Las Campanas in Santa Fe, New Mexico, sold for $32,000 including golf, wine and private jet transportation.

The 18th annual High Museum Atlanta Wine Auction is set for March 25–27, 2010.

The Wine Auction is the single largest fundraising event held annually for Atlanta’s High Museum of Art.