2025 Sonoma County Barrel Auction Raises Over $328,000
Event Held for the First Time at the Landmark Vineyards Hop Kiln Estate
SANTA ROSA, CA (May 7, 2025) – Sonoma County Vintners (SCV) is pleased to announce that over $328,000 was raised at the 2025 Sonoma County Barrel Auction (SoCoBA), presented by American AgCredit and hosted at the Landmark Vineyards Hop Kiln Estate on Friday, May 2, 2025. The auction featured 59 unique barrel lots ranging from 5 to 20 cases from 63 participating Sonoma County vintners. The proceeds will assist in creating marketing programs and initiatives that support the Sonoma County wine trade and community.
Three hundred guests attended the auction day, including trade and media guests, partners, participating vintners and celebrated honorees. Wine trade from across the United States traveled to Sonoma County for the auction events, along with international guests representing accounts from Norway, Denmark and Japan. Proxy bidding was offered during the live auction, where those who could not attend in person were assigned a representative to bid on their behalf.
The highest selling barrel auction lot of the day was the 2024 “Fredson Ranch” Cabernet Sauvignon, a 20-case lot from Ridge Vineyards, selling for $27,000. The second two highest lots were the 2024 Pinot Noir named “4.0” from Williams Selyem and the Silver Oak 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot blend named “Essence of Estate” which were both 20-case lots that sold for $24,000.
The top lots of the day with the highest per-bottle sale price included “Rock Arch,” a 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon from Pride Mountain Vineyards, selling at $162 per bottle, followed by 2024 “The Ringmaster” Pinot Noir from CIRQ at $142 per bottle and “First Light,” a 2024 Pinot Noir from Emeritus Vineyards at $133 per bottle.
Before the bidding got underway, the 2025 Sonoma County Barrel Auction Honorees were recognized on stage. George Christie, Founder and CEO of Wine Industry Network and Partner of Saini Vineyards, presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to David Hirsch, Founder of Hirsch Vineyards and spoke of his achievements. “His early attempts at biodynamics and site-specific farming shaped a generation of winemakers,” said Christie.
Mr. Hirsch could not attend the ceremony but his daughter, Jasmine Hirsch, recorded a video that was shared with the audience. “People told my father that he was crazy to plant his grapes within sight of the ocean,” said Jasmine Hirsch. “The work that he’s done here, carving this place out of the wilderness, is a testament to incredible dedication, his vision, and his hard work. But it would not have been possible without the support of our community, which is truly extraordinary, our friends, our employees, our customers, and many of you sitting here today.”
Hank Wetzel, Founder and Family Partner at Alexander Valley Vineyards, was honored as the 2025 Sonoma County Icon and introduced on stage by George Christie. “I spent a good 15 years out in the marketplace…and I want to thank the buyers, restaurants and wine shops across the country for listening, tasting and becoming huge customers of ours over time,” said Wetzel. “And I would like to thank my wife, Linda, who has been on many sales trips with me and has been instrumental in the success of the winery.”
The 2025 Sonoma County Innovators — David Stare, Founder of Dry Creek Vineyard; Kim Stare Wallace, President; and Don Wallace, Partner — were announced next. When starting the vineyards and winery, Stare was advised against growing Sauvignon Blanc in Dry Creek Valley. “But since my favorite French wine has always been Sauvignon Blanc and Fumé Blanc, I planted Sauvignon Blanc,” said Stare to a laughing audience. Stare Wallace added, “Do you know what I am most proud of? The fact that we are all standing here together with our family intact, through all of the ups and downs of being in the wine business over the last 53 years. We’ve managed to stay 100% family owned and operated.”
As a special recognition for their achievements, each of the honorees also received a special congressional proclamation from Congressman Mike Thompson, also giving the proclamations on behalf of Congressman Jared Huffman, who could not attend.
The SoCoBA events kicked off with a tasting preview event on May 1 at Bacchus Landing. The event offered trade buyers the opportunity to speak with the vintners, taste barrel samples and learn more about the auction lots before the live auction the following day.
Save the date for next year’s SoCoBA planned for April 30 – May 1, 2026!
About Sonoma County Vintners
Sonoma County Vintners (SCV) connects Sonoma County wine and the global marketplace for the sustainable growth and prosperity of our members and community. SCV represents over 250 wineries throughout the county. The organization actively promotes Sonoma County and its world-class wineries through educational programming and marketing initiatives; advocates for its members at local, state and federal levels; and contributes to the local communities through the Sonoma County Vintners Foundation. Sonoma County Wine Celebration, its annual fundraiser, benefits nonprofit organizations throughout the region. To learn more about Sonoma County Vintners, visit sonomawine.com.
About American AgCredit
American AgCredit was chartered in 1916 as part of the nationwide Farm Credit System and is the nation’s fourth-largest Farm Credit association. American AgCredit specializes in providing financial services to agricultural and rural customers in California, Colorado, Hawaii, Kansas, New Mexico, Nevada and Oklahoma and serves capital market customers throughout the United States. Learn more at AgLoan.com.
About Landmark Vineyards
Nestled at the base of the Mayacamas Mountain Range in the Sonoma Valley, Landmark Vineyards epitomizes the rustic grace and beauty of Sonoma County. Since 1974, Landmark has been dedicated to producing handcrafted, ultra-premium Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, sourcing grapes from unique vineyard sites throughout California to create rich, balanced wines. Its Hop Kiln Estate is a registered California Historical Landmark and expands Landmark Vineyards’ presence with two tasting rooms and properties in Sonoma and the Russian River Valley. In 2024, Landmark Vineyards celebrated 50 years of winemaking excellence and unveiled refreshed packaging of the 2022 Damaris Reserve Chardonnay in honor of Founder, Damaris Deere Ford. Landmark wines may be purchased directly from Landmark’s Tasting Rooms, online store, or through membership in the Wine Society. To discover more about Landmark’s remarkable approach to winemaking, visit LandmarkWine.com. To learn more about their Corporate Social Responsibility work, visit https://csr.wonderful.com/.
About Bacchus Landing
Founded by siblings Monica and Francisco Lopez, along with their parents Al and Dina, Bacchus Landing is a curated collective of wineries representing a diverse spectrum of grape varieties and winemaking styles. It is located in the heart of Healdsburg at the crossroads of three of Sonoma County’s premier wine regions. Designed to reflect the Lopez family’s deep-seated passion for hosting family and friends, Bacchus Landing welcomes guests to come and stay the day, offering a relaxing escape from everyday life. The three-acre property boasts five spacious, open-air tasting rooms, an artisanal food market serving local wine-friendly bites, a more casual green space with picnic tables and bocce courts, a central piazza with café tables, a full commercial kitchen, and a variety of spaces for corporate meetings and events. For more information, please visit BacchusLanding.com.
