LIVE Auction Items
Wells Fargo kickoff Featuring FRESCOBALDI
OCTOBER 23, 2025
Lot 1 | A VIP Evening with the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra - 4 Exclusive Tickets
with Donor's Lounge Access
Escape into the enchanting musical world of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra (CSO) - the longest continuously operating Symphony Orchestra in the Carolinas - with this VIP evening out for you and 3 guests. Your experience begins with a pre-concert talk, where you will hear insights from the conductor and featured soloists about the show. You will also have the opportunity to meet and greet Taylor Marino, Principal Clarinet and Charlotte Wine + Food board member. From there, you will settle into your first-class seats. Throughout, you will have access to the Donor Lounge, a private space reserved for CSO executives and generous donors where you will indulge in complimentary food, wine, beer and spirits.
Don't miss this unique opportunity to experience Charlotte's vibrant music and arts scene firsthand.
You will receive four (4) tickets to one concert of your choice from the 2025-2026 regular season classical or pop series:
Classical Series: Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5, Respighi's Pines of Rome, Handel's Messiah, Strauss's Blue Danube, Prokofiev & Schumann, Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 5, Ravel's Boléro, Dvořák's New World Symphony, Beethoven's Emperor Concerto, Gershwin & Bernstein, and Copland & Kahane.
Pop Series: Holiday Pops: A Carolina Christmas, The Music of Motown, and The Concert: A Tribute to ABBA.
For the best seats and availability, please book your show ASAP following the close of the auction.
Donated by Charlotte Symphony Orchestra & Taylor Marino
LOT 2 | Go Behind the Blue Door - Cocktail Class for Eight (8)
Grab your friends and step behind the bar at Blue Door, South End’s intimate and stylish cocktail lounge, for a hands-on mixology class led by its Bar Manager and Creative Director, Mike Guzmán - ranked one of the top 30 bartenders in the world by the United States Bartenders Guild in 2023!
This is more than a demonstration, you’ll be shaking, stirring, and crafting cocktails yourselves. Mike will guide your group through each build, technique, and flavor balance in a fun, relaxed setting that captures Blue Door’s signature creativity and charm.
Each guest will enjoy two expertly crafted cocktails during the class and take home a personal cocktail kit complete with tools and recipes to continue their mixology journey at home.
To be scheduled on a mutually agreed upon Saturday or Sunday from 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM within one year of the auction.
Donated by Blue Door
LOT 3 | Go Big or Go Home - 2016 6L Bottle of Ornellaia
Considered one of the finest wines in both Italy and the world, Ornellaia represents the pinnacle of Tuscan winemaking. This exceptional and highly rated 6L bottle, a rare large-format Imperial, is not only a highly sought-after collector's item but also a statement piece for any serious wine enthusiast.
The first vintage of Ornellaia was released in 1985, and over nearly four decades, it has become one of Italy's most sought-after and respected wines renowned for its power, elegance, and remarkable balance. A blend of Bordeaux varietals—Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot—infused with the soul of Tuscany, Ornellaia offers a stunning expression of terroir, craftsmanship, and heritage.
Large-format bottles like this Imperial are extraordinarily rare and highly collectible. Beyond their dramatic visual impact, they provide extended aging potential, allowing the wine to mature in ways that smaller bottles cannot replicate. This 6L bottle will continue to evolve gracefully, rewarding patience with greater complexity and depth over the years.
Go big or go home as you bid for this unparalleled opportunity to acquire a piece of Tuscan winemaking history in its most exceptional form.
Donated by Frescobaldi, Ornellaia and Vintus
LOT 4 | L’Ostrica x Ornellaia: A Taste of Tuscany at Home for Eight (8)
Indulge in an extraordinary evening where refined culinary artistry meets Italian wine excellence. This exclusive in-home experience unites two world-class names — L’Ostrica, one of Charlotte’s most celebrated restaurants, and Ornellaia, the legendary Tuscan wine estate — for an unforgettable private dinner for eight.
Before opening their award-winning restaurant, Chef Eric Ferguson and Cat Carter, partners behind L’Ostrica, built their reputation as an in-demand private chef duo. Their bespoke in-home dining experiences laid the foundation for L’Ostrica’s acclaim, earning them accolades including the 2024 Eater Carolina Award for Best New NC Restaurant. Chef Eric, trained in Umbria and seasoned in Michelin-starred and James Beard–recognized kitchens, brings Italian-inspired sophistication and precision to every course, while Cat ensures a seamless and hospitable experience.
For this special evening, Chef Eric and Cat will return to their roots — crafting an exquisite multi-course dinner in your home, designed to perfectly complement the exceptional wines of Ornellaia. Throughout the evening, Christophe Courteaud, Mid-Atlantic Division Manager at Vintus (importer for Ornellaia), will guide you through a curated tasting of Ornellaia’s world-renowned wines (including two library selections), sharing insights into their heritage, craftsmanship, and character.
From the first pour to the final bite, this immersive collaboration will transport you and your guests to Tuscany — all from the comfort of your home.
Restrictions:
Must be scheduled on a mutually agreed upon date and redeemed within one year of the auction. Not eligible for redemption on Holidays, Fridays or Saturdays. To be held in the winning bidder's home or a mutually agreeable location.
Donated by L’Ostrica, Frescobaldi, Ornellaia and Vintus
LOT 5 | The Ryder Cup of Wine: A 100-Point Transatlantic Culinary Showdown for Ten (10)
Prepare for an unforgettable evening of world-class wine and cuisine as Charlotte Wine + Food Chairman Emeritus Pat Phillips and his wife Debbie host you and nine guests for The Ryder Cup of Wine!
This exclusive experience features a head-to-head tasting of 100-point wines from Europe and the United States, offering a rare opportunity to savor and compare Old World mastery with New World innovation — one exquisite glass at a time.
Your evening unfolds at the elegant Myers Park home of Bruce and Leslie Schlernitzauer, owners of Porcupine Provisions. Weather permitting, guests will dine al fresco on the hosts’ expansive covered porch, surrounded by a stunning tablescape designed by your gracious hostess and fellow Charlotte Wine + Food Chairman Emeritus, Leslie Schlernitzauer.
To complement this transatlantic wine duel, Bruce and Leslie will curate an inspired menu featuring inventive plates that artfully bridge European tradition and American creativity — a true culinary celebration of two worlds united by excellence.
With every pour boasting a perfect score, deciding which side takes home the trophy won’t be easy... but as the winning bidder, you and your guests will be the judges!
Featured wines include:
1st Course
2013 M. Chapoutier Ermitage Le Méal Blanc | France
2021 Aubert ‘Lauren Estate Vineyard’ Chardonnay | USA
2nd Course
2010 Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes | France
2018 Occidental ‘SWK Vineyard’ Pinot Noir | USA
3rd Course
2020 Clos I Terrasses Clos Erasmus Red Blend | Spain
2019 L'Aventure Côte à Côte Red Blend | USA
4th Course
2010 Casanova di Neri Brunello Cerretalto | Italy
2019 Vérité Le Désir Cabernet Franc | USA
5th Course
2016 Château Cos d’Estournel Bordeaux St. Estephe | France
2014 Realm Cellars ‘The Absurd’ Proprietary Red | USA
Donated by Porcupine Provisions and Pat and Debbie Phillips
LOT 6 | Under the Tuscan Sun with Frescobaldi - VIP Experience for Four (4) at
Castello Nipozzano
Nestled among the rolling vineyards and hills of Chianti Rufina, just 20 minutes from Florence, Castello Nipozzano offers indulgence in the ultimate Tuscan escape. Once an ancient defensive stronghold of Florence dating back to the year 1000, Castello Nipozzano is the most celebrated and historic estate of the Frescobaldi family—renowned for more than 700 years of winemaking excellence.
“Nipozzano,” meaning without a well, a nod to the area’s dry soil and its ideal conditions for cultivating exceptional vines. The estate’s history is steeped in artistry and innovation: during the Renaissance, masters like Donatello and Michelozzo Michelozzi sourced wine from its cellars, and in 1855, a forward-thinking Frescobaldi ancestor planted Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot—an unprecedented move in Tuscany that gave rise to the estate’s iconic Mormoreto.
Two couples (four guests) will be welcomed for an unforgettable two-night stay at Castello Nipozzano, experiencing authentic Tuscan hospitality at its finest. Your visit includes:
Private lunch and wine tasting on the estate, hosted by a Frescobaldi winemaker or principal (based on availability)
Exclusive tour of the castle’s ancient underground cellars, including access to the Frescobaldi family’s private collection
Accommodations in beautifully restored rooms within the winery’s historic olive oil mill, complete with a panoramic Jacuzzi overlooking the vineyards and the Arno River Valley
Daily gourmet breakfast, featuring homemade delicacies and the finest local ingredients
Dinner at Enoteca il Quartino, the Frescobaldi family’s charming country bistro showcasing estate-grown grains, house-raised beef, and sweeping views of the Tuscan countryside
This is more than a getaway—it’s a journey through history, heritage, and the timeless beauty of Tuscany, brought to life by one of Italy’s most storied wine families.
Must be booked at least six months in advance. Travel between March and November of 2026. Airfare, transportation, and meals outside of those listed above are the winning bidder's responsibility.
Donated by Castello Nipozzano & Frescobaldi
Lot 7 | Dormie Network Golf Package for a Year
"Where every club is your home club."
Discover the ultimate in private destination golf with a one-year national membership to Dormie Network, an exclusive collection of seven premier golf clubs across the country. Each club delivers a seamless blend of world-class golf, luxury accommodations, and elevated hospitality, curated for both leisure and business. As a member, you’ll enjoy full access to all seven of their pristine clubs, with no cart fees or reciprocal play arrangements.
Each property includes thoughtfully designed cottages (includes 15 four-master-suite cottages per club), on-site dining with seasonal farm-to-course cuisine, bespoke cocktail programs, impressive wine lists, and private meeting spaces. Perfect for entertaining clients, colleagues, friends, or family.
Courses designed by legends such as Arnold Palmer, Coore & Crenshaw, Tom Fazio, David McLay Kidd, and Lester George span stunning destinations:
Briggs Ranch – San Antonio, TX
Dormie Club – Pinehurst, NC | Stay to play facility only
Hidden Creek – Egg Harbor Township, NJ
ArborLinks – Nebraska City, NE
GrayBull – North Maxwell, NE | Stay to play facility only
Ballyhack – Roanoke, VA
Victoria National – Newburgh, IN
After your first year, you may continue membership as a dues-paying member but will never pay an initiation fee (a $12,000 value)...ever.
Your 12-month membership includes full benefits for you, your significant other, and any children living at home under the age of 23, with no restrictions on the number of visits. While regular playing costs are the responsibility of the member, this exclusive membership provides unparalleled access to some of the finest golf experiences in the country.
This is your chance to elevate your golf lifestyle, entertain in unforgettable settings, and make every club your home club.
Restrictions: Members are responsible for all lodging, food and beverage, guest fees, and caddie fees. Valid for 1 person age 23 or older. The winning bidder cannot live within 75 miles of any Dormie Network property, nor have a vacation home within that same vicinity. The winning bidder cannot be a prior Dormie Network member, or Donated Member.
Learn more via these links:
Video 1
Video 2
Membership Details and Estimate Stay and Play Costs
Donated by Dormie Network