Dozens of auction items up for bid at next weekend's Collective Spirits

Oenophiles, wine collectors and enthusiasts of both the art of fine wine and of fine art are heading to Highlands next weekend, May 21-22, for Collective Spirits, the fourth annual wine festival staged by and benefiting The Bascom.

Orchestrated by Harriet and Dick Boger, Collective Spirits chairs, the weekend will be uncorked with a “Stock Your Cellars” Wine Tasting Party at The Bascom on Friday evening, May 21. Saturday’s daytime programs of symposiums with intriguing themes such as “Calling All the Wine Ladies” and “Discover Your Palate,” will be led by wine specialists and chefs. And the weekend’s chef d’oeuvre, “Chateau Bascom,” the Gala Wine Dinner and Auction on Saturday evening, May 22, pairs an elaborate formal dinner, created by Epting Event of Athens, with exceptional domestic and international vintages. Silent and live auctions promise an alluring array of rare and large-format wines and wine-related travel experiences.

The 21 live auction items that will be auctioned off Saturday night, May 22, include
*A 1997 Silver Oak Cellars (Alexander Valley) Cabernet Sauvignon six-litre bottle;
*An authentic Greek feast for ten people prepared and presented by Gail and Paul Jones at their home;
*A VIP package for two with three nights accommodations at the unique Santa Fe Hotel while enjoying the 20th Annual Santa Fe Wine Festival;
*Classic wing shooting with a truly authentic plantation quail hunt;
*A wine lover’s trip of a lifetime to Napa Valley;
*One bottle 2002 Grace Family Blank Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon (1.5 litre) and one bottle 2007 Grace Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (1.5 litre);
*A 30x40-inch original oil on canvas by Ian Greathead commissioned especially for Collective Spirits;
*A 12-day land/sea Asian adventure for two;
*And more!

The Super Silent Auction items up for bid Friday or Saturday nights include a one-night stay for two at Fiddlehead Cottage; two magnums (1.5-liter) of Shafer Vineyards 2001 Merlot Napa Valley; four seats for the wine and cheese course at The Atlanta Wine School; one magnum Philip Togni Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 1998; and many more.

Additionally, a fabulous Champagne and Ice Raffle awaits all on Friday and Saturday evenings. Buy a glass of champagne and pick your lucky number from a grid. A ladies 2.00ct total weight diamond neckpiece is the star of this very special raffle. This 14-carat white gold necklace is custom designed, containing black and white brilliant cut diamonds, and donated by Drake’s Diamond Gallery of Highlands. Near the end of the live auction on Saturday night, a lucky winner’s number will be drawn from the proverbial hat. You will be notified if you win and are not present at the drawing. Estimated Value: $3,950.

Visit www.collectivespirits.com for a full listing of the items up for bid.

The $295 Combo Ticket includes all Friday and Saturday events. The “Stock Your Cellars” Friday evening reservation is $100, while a ticket for the “Chateau Bascom” gala dinner is $225.

For details or tickets, visit www.collectivespirits.com or call (828) 526-4949.

Wilmington Trust is the presenting sponsor of Collective Spirits. Silver sponsors are AirTran, Bank of New York-Mellon, Chubb Group of Insurance Companies/Lanigan Insurance Group and Hennessy Automotive Companies. Bronze sponsors include Franklin Ford, Harry Norman Realtors-Pat Allen and Bert Mobley, Highlands' Newspaper, The Laurel magazine, Moss Robertson Cadillac, Wines Down South and WNC magazine.