Auction Lot Idea: First in Line at Valet

We love to open an auction with a “warm-up” lot that has a low opening bid, but hopefully is extremely popular and sets the tone for the rest of the auction. These lots are fun, readily accessible, easy to describe, and usually offer some sort of instant gratification.

There are many variations on this theme, usually involving food or drink. We often sell opening lots of a round of “special” drinks served immediately to the winning bidder’s table, a “better dessert” for the winning bidder’s table, or special attention from the waitstaff and bartenders.

If your event has valet parking, you have an easy warm-up lot just waiting for you. At most events with valet parking, there is a line of people waiting for their cars at the end of night – especially larger events of 500 people or more. On more than one occasion we have offered the opportunity to have the winning bidder’s car moved to the front of the valet line as an auction lot.

The logistics are simple: as soon as a winner is determined, a staff person gets the winner’s valet ticket and has the winner’s car pulled around so it is waiting for them when they are ready to leave. All it requires is an agreement with the valet service provider to maintain a lone parking spot at the front for when the time comes to get the winning bidder’s car.

Market it in the auction catalog and slideshow, give it a description that sells the story. I’ve even seen some extra details added on, like a goodie bag to take home waiting on the front seat for you. The point is to keep it simple and make it fun. The results always align with what we’d hope for an introductory lot like this. Worst case scenario, we raise about $500 and do a great job of warming up the crowd. Best case scenario, two bidders go at it and we’re off to the four- or five-digit races on our first lot.

If you have other ideas for great warm-up lots, post them in the comments below, or drop us a line.

The Top 10 Most Exciting Auction Lots of 2023

Full of live, in-person events and supportive crowds, 2023 was an exciting year for fundraising auctions. Every event Stellar conducted in 2023 was an in-person gala; the first time that’s happened since before the pandemic. Crowds continued to be excited to be in-person, and a lot of the upward trends of 2022 continued on through 2023.  

Buy-in parties and Sponsor-a-spot auction lots continued to be extremely popular. Experiences and relationship-based lots were very profitable – especially experiences that were connected to the organization or tied in to the mission of the organization. A few examples in this year’s list exemplify this trend.

The big surprise in 2023 was the sudden inconsistency of trips. Trips remain the foundation of most fundraising auctions, and in most events trips did well (sometimes exceptionally well). But very few auctions saw a trip emerge as the biggest seller. And for a notable percentage of auctions this year, trips did not do well at all – which is a stark change from 2022. Still, there were a few trips exciting enough to make this year’s Top 10.

What makes for an exciting auction lot? It’s not just sale price. “Exciting” is about a lot’s uniqueness, creativity, and the buzz the lot generated at the event. Sale price impacts the decision, but only relative to how other lots sold at the same event. Where I can, I have included final sale prices again this year.

Please remember that comparing pricing between events is a tricky. I include these numbers as a way of emphasizing the excitement in the room when the item sold, not as a point of comparison. My goal is to inspire you to create fun and exciting lots of your own!   

So here are the Most Exciting Auction Lots of 2023:

Ultimate Game Day Experience with the San Francisco 49ers and Steve Bono

Get close to the action with a VIP Levi’s Stadium gameday experience. Your experience begins as former 49er quarterback Steve Bono takes you to the sidelines to watch the team warm up. It only goes up from there: From the field you will move to your luxury suite, where you can sit back, relax and cheer on the 49ers in style. Package includes:

• Pre-game field experience
• Six Suite Level tickets to a regular season San Francisco 49ers home game
• Appellation 49 wine experience at half time
• VIP parking
• Autographed Football

Opening Bid: $3,000        Value: $6,000                     Final Sale Price: $20,000+

Editor’s note: Whenever a sports team is doing well, their fundraising auction stock goes up as well. No team in the Bay Area is hotter than the 49’ers right now, and no experience tops meeting a 49’ers player.

Surprise Lot: The After Party

When the auction ends and the party is over, it does not have to be the end of it for you. We have a special surprise for you in our auction tonight the Struggle Bus after party. Twelve people will get on the Struggle Bus – your own Luxury party van, that really is called the Struggle Bus.

This converted school bus is painted purple, and stocked to the gills for you. There will be great wines from our winemakers tonight, plus bubbles, beer, and pizzas from Bottega.

The Struggle Bus will take you anywhere you want to go for 3 hours, but where you really want to go is Adios, downtown, where the afterparty is. You’ll have your own reserved table at Adios. And when it is time to say adios, the struggle bus will take you home.

Opening Bid: $1,200                       Value: $2,000                    Final Sale Price: $2,400 
Editor’s Note: This was a first-time surprise lot that generated a lot of momentum – especially after the auction when everyone smelled the pizza and wished they were going to be on the Struggle Bus. Next year’s After Party Bus will sell for even more.

An Evening at Troublemaker Studios

Fifty people enjoy a VIP, behind the velvet curtain look at the only permanent and functional studio backlot in Austin, thanks to Robert Rodriguez, Producer/writer/director of shows such as The Book of Boba Fett, From Dusk ‘till Dawn, El Mariachi, and Alita: Battle Angel.

Thursday, September 21st, make your way to Robert’s “Troublemaker Studios”. You’ll be welcomed in and given a tour of the studio and get a chance to see how they produce everything: wardrobe, props, set designs, visual effects. Explore two sound stages, including the 97,000 square foot Iron City, the set for Alita: Battle Angel. Then Chef Sean of The Backspace Pizza will bring his mobile pizza oven to provide a Neapolitan-inspired feast. Paired with more dishes, an open bar, and a DJ in an unforgettable setting: 600 years in the future.

Room for 50 people, $500/person.
Editor’s note: Access, buy-in, celebrity, unique experience, fun sounding event: this buy-in was extremely popular, and ended up over-selling.

Light Up the Night with Children’s Hospital

Kick off your holidays with a unique VIP experience at Children’s Hospital Colorado, where you and your family will join Children’s Hospital VIPs for a magical, once-in-a-lifetime holiday experience and light-up the exterior of the hospital’s Anschutz Medical Campus with holiday flare! Join Santa Clause for a private ride around the Hospital grounds and return just in time to flip the switch and light up the night for children! Cookies and hot chocolate with Santa included.

Guaranteed to fill your heart with the greatest holiday spirit. Friends and family members welcome; some restrictions may apply regarding the number of guests that can safely ride atop the vintage fire truck with Santa.

Opening Bid: $1,000        Value:   Priceless              Final Sale Price: $2,800
Editor’s Note: This auction lot tied to the mission of an organization very closely and offered an incredibly unique experience for a child or grandchild – always a recipe for success.

Private Movie Night at the Onyx

Step into the spotlight with a private movie night at The Onyx Theatre for you and 28 of your closest friends. Enjoy the silver screen magic in the company of your favorite people, complete with complimentary popcorn. It's a cinematic experience you won't forget!

Opening Bid: $300            Value: $600                         Final Sale Price: $7,500
Editor’s Note: This exemplifies why we always have a variety of lot values in an auction. This lot was not the most valuable lot in this auction, by any stretch. But when two bidders decided they were going to win no matter what, it made for a magical moment. You never know what might spark a bidding war.

Napa Rockstar Weekend at BottleRock, “America’s Best Music Festival”

You know these guys well – our favorite vintners have once again teamed up to take it to the next level. Mark those calendars busy and get those tickets booked, because eight of you will be headed to Napa Valley for Memorial Day Weekend 2024. Why? To rock out with six “VIP Skydeck” passes to BottleRock, Napa’s ultimate food, wine, and music festival.

With all that “on deck” do you need to Ro-Sham-Bo for who’s the designated driver? Nope. This Motley Crew of Vintners has got that covered as well.

You’ll have private transportation provided to and from BottleRock. When it comes time to call it quits for the night and the pillow is calling your name, your cottage at Silverado Country Club will be waiting. Silverado Country Club is a wonderful location perfectly situated just outside downtown Napa, close to all the action yet removed enough to allow to you rest, recharge, and get back at it!

BottleRock weekend is, of course, a packed weekend without much room for fancy dinners, but the gang will include a private tasting at Arkenstone Estate Winery on Friday and a causal wine lunch at Vangone Estate on Saturday before you head off to party the night away. Fun will definitely be had by all! So…are you ready?

Opening Bid: $15,000                      Final Sale Price: $35,000
Editor’s Note: BottleRock has become a staple in the fundraising auction world: I had at least five auctions with Bottlerock lots in them last year. This lot represents the high-end of the BottleRock lots, but the one thing they all share in common is housing: housing pushes a BottleRock lot over the top.

Join Violet Witchel for a Day in an Influencer’s Kitchen

Have Violet join you for a day in the kitchen. Violet will host you for a guided step by step cooking lesson for four in her kitchen, accompanied by charcuterie and wine tasting. Take home your creation, a custom recipe card, and a case of wine!

Bio: Violet Witchell is a Bay Area-based food content creator with over 2M followers on TikTok and 245k on Instagram. She was named one of the top food creators of the year in 2021 and has been featured on Today, Business Insider, and Mashed. She specializes in healthy and delicious simple meals for home cooks!

Opening Bid: $500            Value: $1,000                     Final Sale Price: $2,800
Editor’s note: Auctions are about relationships and access, and this lot offered both.

Wild Horse Safari! Private Flight & Wild Horse Sanctuary Tour for 3

Bring two friends on a truly unique and unforgettable experience on a wild horse safari. Begin your adventure by climbing aboard vintner and aviator Chris T's Cessna 206 for an invigorating private flight to Elk Creek, just a short 30-minute flight from Sonoma. Soar over the gorgeous and varied landscapes of Northern California, ending at Montgomery Creek Ranch Wild Horse Sanctuary, where you’ll get up close and personal with the 200+ wild horses that roam the property.

The wild mustangs of the Montgomery Creek Ranch.

These majestic mustangs, rescued from auction when they were forced out of their habitat, have been protected since 2012 when the Montgomery Creek Preserve nonprofit was founded. The horses live free and wild on the ranch’s 2,000+ acres. You’ll touch down and transition from air to land for a tour of the ranch in a four-wheel-drive vehicle, with lots of breathtaking vistas and awe-inspiring animals to see. You'll enjoy a picnic lunch and then, board the plane for your trip home.

Opening Bid: $2,500        Value: $5,000
Editor’s note: Sold at a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation organization’s event, this lot tied directly to mission and offered a bevy of unique experiences in one package.

Michael Mina San Francisco Restaurant Collection Dine Around for 8

Embark on an unforgettable culinary journey with a progressive dine-around evening showcasing three of Chef Michael Mina’s premier San Francisco restaurants.

The evening kicks off with cocktails and light bites at Mina’s Mediterranean-inspired Estiatorio Ornos. Next, head over to PABU Izakaya to indulge in fresh sushi and sake pairings by PABU’s Sake Sommelier, Stuart Morris. Finally, wrap up the evening with dinner at International Smoke, a collaboration between Chef Mina and Ayesha Curry, offering a fusion of global flavors and wood-fired cooking techniques. With each restaurant showcasing its unique culinary style, the evening promises to be a journey of delicious discovery.

Opening Bid: $3,000                    Value: $2,000                  Final Sale Price: $18,000

Editor’s note: If you are going to do a progressive dinner party, it’s hard to top an evening enjoying Michael Mina’s top SF restaurants.

An Evening To Die For

Was it Mrs. Peacock in the Library or Colonel Mustard in the Ballroom? Resurrecting the fan favorite game of Clue and taking it to another level, you and 9 guests will experience an immersive Murder Mystery Dinner that will keep everyone on pins and needles until the end of the line. Your undertakers – pardon, hosts – for the evening will be this year’s gala co-chairs, Tate and Carol, who are partnering again to offer this ghastly experience.

The theme (TBD) will set the stage for the evening’s festivities, which will include a variety of libations and a catered dinner, if you dare partake as we cannot guarantee the integrity of anything consumed. Each member of your party will also be assigned a specific character to assume prior to the event. Full participation, including costumes, is highly encouraged to elevate the experience. Although your role will be pre-defined, there is no script, so strategy and quick thinking are necessary to ensure you end up the victor and not a victim in this game. Prizes will be awarded for best dressed, best acting, and to the person who ultimately solves the murder case.

How well do you know your hosts and “friends,” and who can you really trust? If you choose to participate, you’ll be taking your life into your own hands, but anyone would kill to win this lot so are you ready to meet your maker?

Opening Bid: $2,000                        Value: $3,000
Editor’s note: A party is as good as its hosts, and this party sounds amazing. Good hosts with a good plan and a great write-up can make the difference between “meh” and “marvelous!”

Dining with Diva

Win an operatic and culinary experience for 8! This is a wonderful opportunity for you and 7 of your guests to join Dr Harry and Brenda M. in their stunning home, situated in the Los Altos hills, for dinner and entertainment. Enjoy a gourmet dinner with wine either in their beautiful outdoor pavilion or in their elegant dining room, depending on the weather and your preference.

Brenda is a professional opera singer who has performed all over the world. During the evening Brenda will perform different arias and give a brief explanation about them. This is a wonderful and unique opportunity for you to enjoy an evening of music, drinks, and dinner in a relaxing, beautiful location with your family and friends.  

Opening Bid: $1,600                        Value: $3,200
Editor’s Note: Brenda performed a short aria to introduce this lot, and it electrified the crowd. A short, live performance by a talented musician can shake up the room and change the vibe of the auction.

How long should your auction be?

One of the biggest challenges facing fundraising auctions is determining how many lots to do in the live auction. Too many lots in your auction and you run the risk of boring your crowd, or - worse yet - making them feel like you've bled them dry. Too few, and you leave money on the table.

“How many lots should we do?” is the question most asked by new clients in planning meetings. And, though we hate to answer a question with a question, the answer is: “How long do you want your auction to be?” This sounds sarcastic, but really what we mean is, “how many minutes long do you want your auction to be?”

We average three minutes to describe and sell each individual lot, and it takes about two times that for a successful fund-a-need (not counting videos, testimonial, etc.). This makes for easy math: want a 60-minute auction? Do 19 lots, plus a fund-a-need.

The real underlying question still remains, how long should your auction be? How much of your attendees’ time should you utilize to help you achieve your philanthropic goals of the evening? It is our belief that if you are going to spend the time and energy to get everyone to come together ostensibly in support of your organization, that you are entitled to ask people to focus on financially supporting you for at least 30 – 45 minutes.

But every event has its own unique culture, and every community has different tolerances for fundraising auctions. Does your auction include an awards ceremony? Is it a luncheon instead of a gala? On a Thursday night instead of a weekend? 700 attendees or 150?

These are all variables that impact how long your auction should be. The key is that the length of your auction should be a good fit with the culture of your event, and stay true to the amount of money you need to raise. Be strategic in your planning, and don't be afraid to spend a significant amount of time asking attendees to support your cause. It is why you bothered to get them together, after all.

The most exciting auction lots of 2015

Our annual compendium of the most exciting auction lots we saw at fundraising auctions is back, with a whole new list of creative and engaging items. This year we saw the Warriors become the hottest Bay Area sports team; on the court and on the stage. Chefs continued to be the rock stars of the fundraising world, as food-related lots continue to get more and more creative.

The Taylor Swift tour was so popular, we saw packages of tickets to her concert succeed at six different events across the nation. This year, we had so many lots to choose from, we opted not to limit it just to 10, and instead included the 15 lots we thought would best serve as creative examples.

As always, the goal of sharing these isn’t to get you to replicate them. The goal is to inspire you to create your own stellar lots, so we can include them in our next best-of list!

So without further ado, here are our most exciting fundraising auction lots of 2015, presented in no particular order.

Six Tickets to U2 and a Meet and Greet with Bono. Seriously!!

What can we say? It’s a U2 concert with five of your best friends. Oh and you’ll hang out with Bono beforehand. Enough said.

Conditions: Concert date is May 19th, 2015 at the SAP Center in San Jose.

Visit the Set of Modern Family and Lunch at the Fox Commissary

Watch an actual episode of the award winning show “Modern Family” being filmed on the set of 20th Century Fox Studios.  See the Emmy and Golden Globe winning actors and writers create one of the most popular sitcoms on television, and get a chance to meet some of the cast in person.

Enjoy lunch at the legendary Fox Commissary, home to stars ranging from Rita Hayworth to Mel Brooks and many more.  Arrive via Southwest Airlines, (your certificate is good between any two cities within the Southwest Airlines system in the continental US and expires 4/1/2016).  Stay overnight at Hollywood’s favorite luxury hotel, The Peninsula Beverly Hills, and be transported to and from the lot in a chauffeured town car.

Golden State Warriors Honorary Player Experience and Owners' Suite

Give your child the experience of being introduced alongside the Warriors starting lineup as an honorary player! He or she will be part of the team huddle, tour the Warriors locker room and receive a Warriors jersey of the player of their choice. Then, enjoy exclusive use of the Owners suite to watch the game with 18 of your closest friends and family!

Restrictions: Honorary player experience limited to 2 people; children must be between 8-16 years old. Owners suite includes 16 seats and 4 standing room tickets for a maximum of 20 people. Mutually agreed upon game; game exclusions apply. Non-transferable.

Behind the Scenes of “Check Please!” with Leslie Sbrocco

Behind-the-scenes of "Check, Please! Bay Area" in the KQED Studios for a group of four: watch a live taping, get tours of the studio, and meet our emcee this evening, Leslie Sbrocco. Leslie is one of the 100 most influential people in the wine business. She has won a James Beard award, three Taste Awards, and three Emmy awards.

She’ll welcome you in to the KQED studios and give you a VIP tour of the studio. Then you’ll get to watch the live taping of the show and meet the cast and crew. Afterwards, head over to the Mission Rock Resort for a lovely lunch.

[Note: Leslie was the emcee of the event, and did a fantastic job of establishing relationships with people long before she took the stage. Her lot sold spectacularly well because people were supporting her as much as the organization.]

Taylor Swift!

Winners gonna bid, bid, bid!

Where is The 1989 World Tour touching down on Tuesday, June 9, 2015 at 7:30 PM? The PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC. Who will be the biggest fans in the audience? The winners of this wonderful package which includes six tickets to see the fabulous Taylor Swift in concert.

Guys' Beer Bus III: I Left My Liver in San Francisco

Back for a liver-smashing third time, the Beer Bus! We've done the North Bay. We've done the East Bay. Now we are going across the Bay. Join us as we visit some of the finest breweries in San Francisco... and on a friggin' limo bus that has beer in it. Yeah, you read that right. A limo bus, with beer, taking you to places that make beer, to drink more beer! Oh, and that's not all. All winners get a year-long membership to the Hillcrest Dad's Beer Club, which includes FREE BEER during our monthly gatherings. So what are you waiting for?

Top 20 guys, bidding starts at $200/guy.

The Buster-Hug! By Jared Emerson

Jared Emerson doesn’t just paint people, he captures moments on canvas, live! Right before your eyes, at our event, Jared Emerson will capture one of Giants fans’ favorite moments: the Buster hug! 

For SF Giants fans, few moments are as memorable, or as endearing, as the BusterHug that closed out the 2014 World Series run. Sure, Buster’s given hugs to other pitchers, but few were as emotion filled as the hug he gave Bumgarner in 2014. You’ll get to see Jared paint it live, and then you’ll have the moment forever on your wall.

[Note: Art is usually a challenge to sell in a fundraising auction. This piece was created in real-time by the artist, and the subject matter was custom-chosen by the organization in advance. The artist wanted to do a different image, and the event was steadfast about wanting the “Busterhug”. It sold for $11,000 – twice!]

Stop, Hammer Time!

Internationally known, award-winning artist and entrepreneur M.C. Hammer has invited you, your friends or colleagues for the experience of a lifetime. Take this unique opportunity to gain one-on-one access to an outstanding performer and icon, to discuss technology or entrepreneurialism, or for the best dance lesson you could ever hope for.

Hammer skyrocketed to fame in the 90s, and has had an incredible journey ever since. From the start, he has constantly worked to reinvent himself, his sound, and his interests. In addition to being a multiple Grammy award-winning and chart-topping musician, M.C. Hammer has initiated several business ventures in music, technology, and often both. The knowledge he has gained during the past decades is the result of a unique perspective and interesting experiences. Don’t miss out on what he has to share.

If you’ve always wanted to learn to dance like a hip-hop idol or yearned to discuss business and technology with an innovator and risk-taker, don’t miss this first-ever offer to the ISTP community. Bond with M.C. Hammer in a small group while he teaches you to cut a rug like a super star, or invite him to share his incredible professional journey with you and your company for a lunch discussion or seminar.

Inclusions:

• 1 hour of time with MC Hammer to discuss business, technology, or dance lessons

• Offer good for individuals, small or large groups—depending on the chosen activity

Backyard BBQ with Jeremy Affeldt

16 guests will join San Francisco Giants pitcher Jeremy Affeldt for an afternoon BBQ featuring some of Jeremy’s favorite dishes. Larkin Street youth will co-host, helping prepare the feast and also ensuring that Jeremy never uses a knife! Grab a tasty plate, sip a cold brew, and chat with Jeremy about baseball, Larkin Street, and life. Hosted at the San Francisco home of Larkin Street board members.

 To be held on a mutually agreeable date with Jeremy Affeldt.

2015 Ford Mustang Convertible

Thanks to South Bay Ford, one lucky bidder will have the opportunity to have their designated driver take them home in his/her brand new Ford Mustang convertible! Ford has completely redesigned the iconic Mustang for 2015 inside and out. The sleek new aggressive profile is reminiscent of the true “muscle car” that the model was born from 50 years ago. This car is a quintessential example of the South Bay lifestyle and perfect for commuting around town or whisking a new graduate off to college.

The ingot silver paint with black convertible top gives it a classic look and will turn heads at every corner. The also redesigned 300hp 6-cylinder engine is designed for pure performance, yet still has impressive 20 city / 30 hwy MPG. Also sporting the select-shift automatic transmission, Ford’s revolutionary Sync audio system, and rear backup assistance, this is a car that puts you in the mood for performance. This auction is all-inclusive: includes the car, tax & license fees.

[Note: We don’t usually recommend selling a car, unless it is donated and is an exciting vehicle. This convertible Mustang met both requirements.]

Rockin' with Linkin Park

SoCal rockers Linkin Park became one of the most successful bands in the world by combining elements of hip-hop, modern rock, and atmospheric electronica into their music. Their popularity is exemplified by the band’s massive online presence. They are the biggest band on Facebook with over 63 million friends and were the first ever band to garner over 1 billion views on their YouTube channel.

Linkin Park is known for having a sound that has evolved as their career progressed. From high-energy alternative rock like “One Step Closer” and “Faint” to modern classics like “In the End” and “What I’ve Done” they have always delivered the goods resulting in over 60 million albums sold worldwide.

Whether you are a Linkin Park fan or just a music fan, this opportunity brings a truly unique experience to create a lifetime of memories. Linkin Park has invited us to a “studio experience” for 10 guests. You will get to hang out with members of the band and get a tour of their Los Angeles recording studio where they are recording their new album.

Transportation will be provided by private limousine, and the winner will take home a guitar signed by the band. Winner(s) could choose to purchase additional guitars to have signed by the band during their studio visit.

Hog Heaven

Hunt for the big hogs and learn the art of charcuterie. Game on for a first-class pig hunt on the legendary Rockpile Ranch, rich in history that includes notorious outlaws from the Jesse James gang. Spread across 10,000 acres of unspoiled Sonoma County wilderness with steep hillsides and rocky, remote terrain, this famous ranch is a sportsman’s paradise! You’ll kick back with your hosts as an expert wild game hunter and ranch caretaker prepares a late afternoon cowboy steak supper.

Then as the sun fades, head out for your big game hunt from a Jeep as you tour this magnificent property with Pacific Ocean views. Your pig will be cleaned and dressed, and cut, so you can enjoy it when you get home.

Plus, learn the art of charcuterie with a hands-on lesson from Italian Michelin Star chef, Stefano Masanti, who will teach you to make sausages, salami, pancetta, coppa and two different types of lardo from a heritage pig from Regusci Winery! And of course, it wouldn’t be a hunting trip without Scotch, cigars, and storytelling around the campfire to round out the day: “You shoulda seen that boar I wrangled bare-handed!” you’ll boast under the sparkling Sonoma stars. Settle in for the night at the rustic Rockpile hunting cabin and doze off reminiscing of days past when life was a little simpler.

Special Forces Day for Two with Gryphon Group Security Solutions

Over the last 14 years, Gryphon Group has trained over 30,000 American Warfighters, Special Operations Personnel from the Army, Navy, Air Force & Marine Corps as well as Federal Agents from 12 Federal Agencies in specialized combat training.

Now it is your turn to experience this incredible training experience with a day-long program at Gryphon Group’s Fort Bragg Combat Training Center. The successful bidder can choose from one of two full-day programs: Anti-Terrorism Driver Training or Anti-Terrorism Weapons Training. Participants must be ages 18 & up.  Donated by Gryphon Group Security Solutions.

Game of Thrones

Do you love the Game of Thrones? Do you love fine wine and great food? Have you ever experienced all three together? The lucky winning bidders will have a once in a lifetime experience enjoying dinner with Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin in the elegant home of our board president. Chef Andrew Cooper, of the Four Seasons Rancho Encantado, will be in the kitchen. Some of Napa's greatest wines will partner with the evening's masterful menu.

It’ll be the first George R.R. Martin dinner where everyone lives happily ever after!

San Francisco Giants Gotham Club Dinner, wines, and a game for four with Rich Aurilla and Dan Kosta

Here’s your chance to see behind the scoreboard! Located inside the out-of-town scoreboard, with unique views to the Field and McCovey Cove, this venue features a stunning bar and a private dining area. A private, members-only entrance along The Portwalk grants members direct and easy access to The Clubhouse and inside the ballpark.

Former San Francisco Giant Rich Aurilia and Dan Kosta will host dinner for four guests at the exclusive Gotham Club featuring wines by Kosta Browne and Red Stitch.

After dinner, head down to the ball park and enjoy the game! Includes transportation from Sonoma County to the game.

Mutually agreeable date.

Peanuts Movie Exclusive Two Ways! Private air to Premier in Los Angeles AND private screening in Santa Rosa!

For the first time ever, Snoopy, Charlie Brown, and the rest of the gang we know and love from Charles Schulz’s timeless Peanuts comic strip will be making their big-screen debut like they’ve never been seen before in a CG-animated feature film in 3D.

First, you and three guests will have an exclusive experience at the Peanuts premiere in Los Angeles on Sunday, November 1st. Travel in style on a Cessna Citation jet, and enjoy overnight accommodations, and limo transportation from your hotel to the premier!

Next, you and up to 80 guests will experience a private screening of the Peanuts movie at the Charles M. Schulz Museum! Bring your child’s class or your family and friends for a fun-filled day including the movie, root beer floats, and chocolate chip cookies, followed by a tour of the Schulz Museum.

The Ultimate Buy-a-Seat Dinner - Four Top Chefs and Exquisite Wines

Join your fellow food and wine connoisseurs in this inaugural, once-in-a-lifetime dinner prepared by four San Francisco culinary icons.  With numerous Michelin Stars, James Beard Awards and Relais & Chateau acknowledgements among them, chefs Nancy Oakes, Gary Danko, Tyler Florence, and Yigit Pura will cook together for the first time ever!  This not-to-be missed dining adventure would not be complete without extraordinary wines from California and France.  When the chefs are not preparing this unprecedented collaborative menu for you, they will join you at the table where you can get to know them and hear their fascinating stories.  Enjoy amazing food, spectacular wine, and possibly make some new friends at the same time!

Only 10 seats will be sold in multiples of two to this extraordinary dinner. Bidding will open at $10,000 per couple. 

Wine pairings will include:

• 2006 Roederer Cristal
• Marcassin Three Sisters Vineyard Chardonnay
• 2004 Leflaive Chevalier ‎Montrachet
• 2002 Comte de Vogüé Musigny Vieilles Vignes
• 1986 Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande
• 1996 Chateau Lafite Rothschild
• 1997 Chateau Lafite Rothschild 
• 1989 Chateau d’Yquem

If you wish to bid on more than one pair of tickets, indicate how many pairs by holding up that number of fingers