High Museum’s 2020 Wine Auction

~Doc Lawrence

March provides the signal to “open the bottle and start something” at the 28th annual High Museum Atlanta Wine Auction. During the week of March 18–21, more than 200 wineries and restaurants will come together to support the largest wine auction event in the United States benefiting the arts, boasting more than $32 million raised over the last 27 years.

A prestigious Atlanta event, the Auction is the High’s largest fundraising event, providing significant funding for the Museum’s exhibitions and educational programs like classroom resources to teachers and subsidized museum visits for more than 125,000 students of all ages each year.

“The Museum’s continued connection to our community and the diverse programming we offer our visitors would not be possible without the outstanding support we receive through the Wine Auction,” said Rand Suffolk, Nancy and Holcombe T. Green, Jr., Directors of the High.

The Wine Auction gets bigger and better every year. The contributions to Atlanta’s reputation as an international community and the epicenter of the arts in the Deep South are immeasurable.

The Special Guest of Honor for this year’s Wine Auction is Dr. Madaiah Revana, owner of the esteemed Revana Wine Portfolio. Revana’s experience with agriculture began on his family’s farm outside of Bangalore, India, and has grown into a passion for wine. This appreciation has allowed him to travel the world to seek out exceptional vineyards and distinctive wines. Revana now owns three wineries in the United States and internationally: Revana Winery in California’s Napa Valley, Alexana Winery in Oregon’s renowned Willamette Valley and Corazon Del Sol in Mendoza, Argentina.

The 2020 Special Guest Chef is Vivian Howard, acclaimed owner of Chef & the Farmer, Boiler Room and Benny’s Big Time in North Carolina and author of “Deep Run Roots” cookbook. Ms. Howard was recognized as the South’s Best Chef of 2019 by Southern Living.

The four days of Wine Auction events kick off on Wednesday, March 18, ending on Saturday, March 21. The week culminates with events in the Tents at Atlantic Station. Festivities include:

• Dine Around Dinners – March 18: Renowned Atlanta restaurants offer exclusive reservations for multicourse, prix-fixe menus combining the talents of top Atlanta chefs and revered winemakers.
• Ladies Luncheon – March 18: The Ladies Luncheon shines a spotlight on the work of female winemakers, vintners and chefs for an afternoon of incredible food and wine at the award-winning restaurant Bacchanalia.
• Gents Lunch – March 18: This event offers a chance to enjoy a multicourse meal with fellow wine enthusiasts and experiences tailored for the gentlemen of Wine Auction week.
• Winemaker Dinners – March 19: Guests are welcomed into Atlanta’s finest private homes as local and national chefs prepare courses perfectly complemented by wines from the world’s top producers for a dining experience like no other.
• High Revelry – March 19: This intimate food and wine festival showcases pours from more than a dozen wineries along with tasty treats from some of Atlanta’s best restaurants. Music, art and more add to the evening’s fun.
• Tasting Seminar – March 20: Learn to sip like a pro with interactive demonstrations and tastings from winemakers as they open their bottles and share their wine wisdom.
• Uncorked! – March 20: Special Guest Chef Vivian Howard pulls out all the stops for this seated gourmet dinner celebrating the craft and artistry of winemaking. Guests at each table are joined by a renowned winemaker to pour their best work with each dish. After-dinner entertainment features Bogey and the Viceroy to end the evening.
• Vintners’ Reception and Live Auction – March 21: More than 1,000 guests join dozens of winemakers and Atlanta’s top restaurants during the Vintners’ Reception for an afternoon of the best wine and hors d’oeuvres the city’s dining scene can offer. The afternoon’s live and silent auctions send bidders home with one-of-a-kind wines, world- class trips and once-in-a-lifetime experiences to wrap up the week’s events. For more information, visit www.highmuseumwine.org.