It’s going to be a ‘Wild Bunch’ this weekend, and we’re not just talking grapes

A sampling of the skits that graced the stage at last year’s Harvest Wine Auction. This year’s theme is “The Wild Bunch,” so have your pistols and magnums at the ready!Photos by Melania Mahoney

If there’s one annual event where the true spirit of Sonoma is unleashed, it’s the Sonoma Valley Harvest Wine Auction. Otherwise staid grape growers, serious winemakers and icons of the wine industry emerge, chameleon-like, in outlandish attire, perform wild skits to promote their auction lots, sing, dance and pour their finest wines – all with a generous and open heart to raise money for local charities.

Whose Idea Was This?
A tradition for 15 years, the Harvest Wine Auction was conceived by Peter Henry, then the manager of the Sonoma Mission Inn, when the Sonoma County wine auction was moved to another location. “Peter got things started and the wineries quickly joined in to support it,” said Michael Coulhoun, owner of Landmark Vineyards. Coulhoun and his wife, Mary, have participated since the event’s inception, not only pouring and donating their wines, but offering extraordinary auction packages and taking part in what has become an auction mainstay, the wonderfully wacky and creative skits by the wine community.

First Lady of the Valley packs magnum force
Gloria Ferrer executive vice president Eva Bertrand has also been involved since the beginning. The elegant and sophisticated Bertrand will undergo a transformation to Old West-style chorine to perform in the women’s troop “Magnum Force,” a humorous routine that will take place during the auction. “The skits we do are based on each year’s theme and are kept a deep secret until the day of the auction” said Bertrand. “There are about 20 women and we sing and dance in costume. We have a great time and laugh a lot. The idea is to keep it fun and irreverent.”

The “anti” auction
The continued support of the auction by the wineries and the businesses in Sonoma is a testament to its value to the community. “This event has always had a good-willed feel to it,” said Michael Coulhoun. “It’s a true grassroots effort and it benefits the people in our own backyard. While we all take our responsibility to the community seriously, we have a great time spoofing the stiff, formal auctions – this is an ‘anti-auction.’”

This Tent Ain’t Big Enough for the Both of Us
Sonoma Valley Vintners & Growers Alliance director Grant Raeside took over the reins of the organization of 75 wineries and 140 growers two years ago. “I was astounded at the imaginative and successful showcase that had been developed to raise funds for the area’s charities,” he said. “The Harvest Wine Auction has now grown so large that we had to find a new venue to accommodate the number of people who want to attend. This will be our first year at Cline, and we’ve been able to add more than 200 seats.”

Pickin’ and grinnin’ for millions /
Ticket holders can kick off Labor Day weekend with a Friday night dinner at The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn where they can hear the tunes of the “Howling Coyotes,” aka the Rich Little Band. Little Vineyards is the newest winery participant in the auction revelries, and Rich Little intends to start things off with a bang. “We have donated wine in the past, but this is the first year we’ve been part of the festivities. It’s our kind of event, wild, outrageous and nonstop fun. The best part is that it’s all about helping people in Sonoma Valley. This year we’re going to break $1 million dollars!”