St. Helena, Calif.—A charitable wine auction hosted by #LakeCountyRising for victims of the 2015 Lake County wildfires raised more than $150,000. The March 22 event at the Culinary Institute of America’s Greystone campus in St. Helena drew more than 100 people who bid on 10 live auction lots and 20 silent auction lots.

Since the devastating Valley Fire, which scorched more than 115 square miles, destroyed 1,300 homes, and killed four Lake County residents, #LakeCountyRising has raised nearly $1 million for Valley Fire Relief. 

According to a press release about the event, the afternoon opened with remarks from Napa Valley grape grower Andy Beckstoffer and US Congressman Mike Thompson, who described the deep and historic connection between Napa and Lake counties. Focusing on the growth of Lake and Napa counties in the last 150 years, Beckstoffer highlighted the deep-rooted connection between the two counties, reminding guests that prior to 1851, Lake was actually part of Napa County.

The two most popular live auction lots from the event included a “Personal Barrel Lot of 2016 Cabernet from Beckstoffer’s Georges III Heritage Vineyard and Crafted by Sinegal Estate,” and “Taste of Napa Valley Heritage,” which included dinner for two couples with Andy and Betty Beckstoffer at PRESS Napa Valley, four magnums from Beckstoffer’s Heritage Vineyards, a selection of famed Napa Valley wines to complement dinner, and a copy of Kelli White’s Napa Valley Then & Now. After receiving competitive bids from multiple bidders, both auction lots were made available to the first and second bidders, which raised a combined $81,000.