By Rick VanSickle
The Canadian wine community has come together in a big way, now it’s up to Canadian wine lovers to do their part and support the upcoming Grapes for Humanity, Save Hospitality Fine Wine Charity Auction.
The auction — featuring some of the greatest wines the world has to offer, including an incredible array of Canadian wine treasures, unique tours and even a bass guitar from rock legend Geddy Lee of Rush — begins online Sept. 28 and runs until Oct. 7 and is being conducted by Waddington’s auctioneers. Make sure you are signed in, get your paddle and start perusing this most amazing and unique auction. Go here to get registered.
Proceeds will directly benefit Ontario hospitality front-line workers through the Toronto Restaurant Workers Relief Fund; the Bartenders Benevolent Fund; and independent Ontario restaurants through savehospitality.ca.
The auction features over 300 lots of exceptional wines and winery tours as well as guitars donated by musicians Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson from Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band Rush.
You can bid on highly sought-after wines donated from Ontario’s finest cellars, newly created blends in a historic cuvée, classified Bordeauxs, rare older wines (the oldest on offer is a Graves De Cussac Medoc 1887), fine Italians, Rhône wines, Nape cult wines, incredible experiences and so much more.
A few things not to be missed: the Château Latour 1945, 1982 and 1990 and tour, tasting, and lunch at the Château; a vertical of Penfolds Grange with a personalized visit to the winery; and four barrels of the Winemakers of Ontario Cuvée of the Heart made by Thomas Bachelder and created with the help of over 25 Ontario winemakers to support our Ontario’s hospitality industry. All lots, two full barrels and and dozens of cases of magnums, include a restaurant gift certificate.
The idea for the auction to help the hospitality industry came from Steven Campbell, above, former owner of Lifford Wine and Spirits and founder of Campbell Kind Wines.
After years of supporting Grapes for Humanity’s fundraising, Campbell approached the organization with the idea of helping hospitality front line workers who have been impacted by the devastation of COVID-19. Campbell ran an impactful fundraiser during the SARS outbreak, which helped hospitality front line workers. Grapes for Humanity’s fundraising has always been wine and hospitality-centric and the industry has been crucial in its fundraising. The organization felt that it needed to throw a lifeline to employees that earn minimum wage and are tip dependent. With the leadership of GFH director, Geddy Lee, the fundraiser evolved into a fine wine auction.
I reached Campbell via email for a Q&A about the auction, Lee’s involvement and what wines in the incredible lineup of auction items caught his eye.
Wines In Niagara: Now that the auction items for The Grapes for Humanity, Save Hospitality Fine Wine Charity Auction are up live on Waddington’s auction site, you must be proud of the support you have received from the Canadian wine community. What prompted you to come up with the idea for the auction?
Campbell: I noticed that some California wineries were donating wine in support of hospitality and a light bulb went off.
WIN: Browsing through the over 300 incredible lots up for auction, the Canadian wine collecting and winemaker community has really answered the bell to help the hospitality industry as it struggles to survive this pandemic. Are you surprised by the generosity of wine collectors, Ontario winemakers and wine agencies, who have all stepped up to the plate?
Campbell: I am very grateful for the incredible support we have received but not surprised. Wine lovers are passionate individuals who love the restaurant industry and were looking for ways to offer help.
WIN: Geddy Lee has been a huge supporter of Grape for Humanity and has really contributed to this auction in a big way. How crucial is it to have such a well-known celebrity lend his name and generous donations to an auction like this that is for charity?
Campbell: Geddy has been very generous through his personal donations to spreading the news to his fan base. There is no question that Geddy’s support means that we will receive enhanced coverage from the media leading to higher awareness of the auction and most importantly higher prices for the lots.
WIN: As incredible as the auction donations are, it’s going to take bidders on the other side to make it a huge success. What are hopes for the auction and will we see some aggressive bidding?
Campbell: Waddington’s just finished their most successful wine sale ever with strong demand for high quality wines. We have an incredible array of some of the world’s finest wines and we expect strong interest in this auction. The Rush lots will be pursued by Rush fans from the four corners of the world and we anticipate high prices for these lots.
WIN: And finally, did any of the lots catch your eye? What are going to be the hot items up for bid?
Campbell: To me, the incredible opportunity in this auction is to pick up some of the finest and rarest wines from B.C. and Ontario. I will be bidding on some of the mini verticals of VQA wines that are never available. However, foremost on my list is to pick up a case or two of the Winemakers of Ontario Cuvée of the Heart Ontario. Thirty-one of Ontario’s top winemakers contributed to this blend and Thomas Bachelder is in charge of the elevage. This could be the finest Chardonnay and Pinot Noir ever produced in Ontario and I need some for my cellar.
•••
The Winemakers of Ontario Cuvée of the Heart Ontario lots 14-38 include single lots of one barrel each of the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, plus 25 lots of six magnums (three Pinot and three Chardonnays) made by Thomas Bachelder and fashioned after Burgundy’s Hospices de Beaune annual blend of top terroirs into a single cuvée.
Bachelder told Wines In Niagara that Ontario winemakers from Niagara, Prince Edward County, Caledon and Lake Erie North Shore were only too eager to contribute to the special pan-Ontario cuvee. “I’m very touched by the whole thing,” he said. “Everyone sent their best and everyone’s in there.”
The Chards and Pinots are being made from the 2019 vintage and are half-way through élevage and just waiting for final blending. Bachelder said the wines will need another 6-8 months of “marrying” before bottling into 750 mL and magnum bottles. “I’m going to make the best goddamn wine,” he said.
Each winning lot of the special Ontario cuvee will come with a note from Bachelder explaining the composition of the wines, the terroir where it was farmed and the winemakers and wineries that contributed to the project.
•••
Canadian wineries really answered the bell with donations. Here’s a list of Canadian wineries that have donated lots to the auction:
Ontario
• Southbrook
• Marynissen
• Henry of Pelham
• Peller Estates
• Domaine Queylus
• Fogolar
• Marquis
• Jackson-Triggs
• Hidden Bench
• Stratus
• Cave Spring
• PondView
• Charles Baker
• Foreign Affair
• Inniskillin
• Lakeview
• Chateau des Charmes
• Hinterbrook
• Flat Rock
• Magnotta
British Columbia
• Laughing Stock
• Burrowing Owl
• Foxtrot
• Mission Hills
• Painted Rock
• Le Stella
• Black Hills
Quebec
• Domaine Pinnacle
(apologies if we missed anyone)
•••
Here are a few items that caught our eye:
Lot 1
Château Latour, Bordeaux France
WINERY TOUR AND TASTING WITH SIGNED BOTTLES OF WINE
The Château Latour Winery Tour and Tasting and one bottle of each of the legendary Château Latour 1945, 1990 and 1982 are included.
Château Latour 1982 and 1990 are signed by Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson and are from their personal cellars. Valid from September 28, 2020 through December 1, 2021 on weekdays only. Transportation and lodging not included.
Estimate $18,000-$22,000
Lot 2
Rush Fender Bass Guitar
SIGNED FENDER BASS GUITAR WITH THREE BOTTLES OF GEDDY LEE’S OWN BURGUNDY PRODUCED BY LUCIEN LE MOINE
A Fender Signature Jazz Bass Guitar, signed by both Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee, along with a bottle of 2005 Lucien Le Moine Hospices de Beaune Mazis-Chambertin Cuvée Madeleine Collognon, 2005 Lucien Le Moine Hospices de Beaune Volnay Santenot Cuvée de Massol and 2005 Lucien Le Moine Hospices de Beaune Beaune Cuvée Clos Des Avaux.
Estimate $15,000-$18,000
Lot 3
Rush Gibson Les Paul Guitar
SIGNED GIBSON GUITAR WITH THREE BOTTLES OF GEDDY LEE’S OWN BURGUNDY PRODUCED BY LUCIEN LE MOINE
A Gibson Les Paul Gold Top 1950’s Re-issue, signed by Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee, with a bottle of 2005 Lucien Le Moine Hospices de Beaune Mazis- Chambertin Cuvée Madeleine Collognon, 2005 Lucien Le Moine Hospices de Beaune Volnay Santenot Cuvée de Massol and 2005 Lucien Le Moine Hospices de Beaune Beaune Cuvée Clos Des Avaux.
Estimate $15,000-$18,000
Lot 5
Domaine Tawse Wine and Tour
Burgundy, France
MUSIGNY VERTICAL COLLECTION AND WINERY TOUR
Included are five bottles for your cellar of a Domaine Tawse Musigny Vertical: 2012-2013-2014-2015-2016. Also a guided visit to the Musigny Vineyard followed by a tour and tasting at Domaine Tawse, in Nuits-St-Georges, for up to six guests.
Transportation and lodging not included.
Estimate $6,000-$8,000
Lot 13
Barberian’s Steak House Dining Experience
Toronto, Ontario
PREMIER AND GRAND CRU BURGUNDY DINNER HOSTED BY GEDDY LEE AND ALEX LIFESON FROM RUSH
Barberian’s Steak House dinner for eight guests, hosted by Arron Barberian, Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson. The dinner will be held in Barberian’s two storey wine cellar and will feature legendary Burgundy producers such as Leroy, Roumier, DRC and Coche Dury to name a few.
Estimate $22,000-$26,000
Lot 14
Winemakers of Ontario Cuvée of the Heart
Ontario
CUVÉE OF THE HEART CHARDONNAY BARREL
One Barrel (225 Litres) of 2019 Chardonnay. A collaborative effort with 25 of Ontario’s leading winemakers.
Available for pick up in the spring of 2021.
Estimate $6,000-$8,000
(there are 31 lots of collaborate wines from Ontario winemakers)
Lot 103
HIDDEN BENCH NUIT BLANCHE ROSOMEL VINEYARD 2014 (1)
Beamsville Bench, Ontario.
HIDDEN BENCH NUIT BLANCHE ROSOMEL VINEYARD 2015 (1)
Beamsville Bench, Ontario.
HIDDEN BENCH NUIT BLANCHE ROSOMEL VINEYARD 2016 (1)
Beamsville Bench, Ontario.
HIDDEN BENCH NUIT BLANCHE ROSOMEL VINEYARD 2017 (1)
Beamsville Bench, Ontario.
Estimate $200 – $400
Lot 98
PELLER ESTATES CABERNET FRANC GRAPES UNDER PRESSURE LABEL 2016
Niagara Peninsula, Ontario.
Signed by Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson
6 bts. Estimate $300 – $500
Lot 117
ADAMO GROWER ESTATE PINOT NOIR LOWREY VINEYARD 2014 (1)
St. David’s Bench, Ontario.
FIELDING PINOT NOIR LOWREY VINEYARD 2014 (1)
St. David’s Bench, Ontario.
FIVE ROWS CRAFT WINE PINOT NOIR LOWREY VINEYARDS 2014 (1)
St. David’s Bench, Ontario.
Bottle #598
LEANING POST LOWREY VINEYARD PINOT NOIR 2014 (1)
St. David’s Bench, Ontario.
THOMAS BACHELDER PINOT NOIR OLD VINES LOWREY VINEYARD 2014 (1)
St. David’s Bench, Ontario.
5 bts. Estimate $200 – $400
(Donated by Wines In Niagara, a rare chance to taste all of the famed Lowrey Vineyards Pinot Noir made in one vintage from the five different winemakers who get this fruit. P.S. We can get the bottles signed by the winemakers, if it will help in your bidding.)
Lot 195
DOMAINE DUJAC BONNES MARES 2005 (1)
Côte de Nuits. Grand Cru
DOMAINE DUJAC CLOS SAINT-DENIS 2005 (1)
Côte de Nuits. Grand Cru
DOMAINE DUJAC MOREY SAINT-DENIS 2005 (1)Côte de Nuits.
Estimate $2,400 – $2,700
Lot 199
DOMAINE ARMAND ROUSSEAU PÈRE ET FILS CHAMBERTIN 1991
Côte de Nuits. Grand Cru
Estimate $6,000 – $8,000
Lot 204
GRAVES DE CUSSAC MEDOC 1887 (1)
Médoc.
HENRI DE VILLAMONT BEAUNE 1928 (1)
Côte de Beaune.
HENRI DE VILLAMONT GRANDS-ECHEZEAUX 1934 (1)
Côte de Nuits.
MESNARD PÉRE ET FILS BEAUNE 1929 (1)
Côte de Beaune.
MESNARD PÉRE ET FILS GEVREY-CHAMBERTIN 1937 (1)
Côte de Nuits.
MESNARD PÉRE ET FILS POMMARD-RUGIENS 1928 (1)
Côte de Beaune.
Estimate $1,300 – $1,600
Lot 228
CHÂTEAU MOUTON ROTHSCHILD 1982
Pauillac. 1er Cru Classé
Anticipated maturity: 2015-2050+ WA 100
Estimate $2,000 – $2,400
Lot 281
QUINTA DO VESUVIO VINTAGE PORT 1989 (1)
Douro, Portugal.
QUINTA DO VESUVIO VINTAGE PORT 1990 (1)
Douro, Portugal.
QUINTA DO VESUVIO VINTAGE PORT 1991 (1)
Douro, Portugal.
QUINTA DO VESUVIO VINTAGE PORT 1992 (1)
Douro, Portugal.
QUINTA DO VESUVIO VINTAGE PORT 1994 (1)
Douro, Portugal.
QUINTA DO VESUVIO VINTAGE PORT 1995 (1)
Douro, Portugal.
QUINTA DO VESUVIO VINTAGE PORT 1996 (1)
Douro, Portugal.
QUINTA DO VESUVIO VINTAGE PORT 1997 (1)
Douro, Portugal.
Anniversary Selection in Wooden Case
Estimate $7,000 – $8,500
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