The 2009 Twenty-Fifth Annual Central Coast Wine Classic has reversed a trend among the nation's top charitable wine auctions of dropping significantly in auction proceeds. This year's Wine Classic experienced energetic bidding from the 475 attendees under the tents at the Avila Beach Resort to record $738,100 in Live Auction proceeds, a 7.3% increase over 2008, and overall Auction proceeds, including Live, Silent and Fund-a-Need totals, of $842,650, an increase of 6.5% over last year's figures. Silent Auction proceeds totaled $24,900, and the Annual Fund-a-Need Auction lot, funding a Respite Care Program for the Alzheimer's Association of the Central Coast raised $66,750.

The top lot of the event was an American Airlines/Relais & Chateaux trip for four people to French Wine Country that was gaveled at $70,000, followed by a soon-to-be-released 2010 Lexus RX 450h Hybrid automobile that brought a bid of $52,000. Dinner for twenty-four people with Jim Clendenen of Au Bon Climat and Randall Grahm of Bonny Doon Vineyard garnered a bid of $38,000. An AMA Waterways inland cruise from Germany to Bulgaria for four people raised $30,000, and a seven-day Silversea Mediterranean cruise from Monte Carlo to Athens earned a bid of $21,000. Dinner for sixteen people with Bon Appetit Editor-in-Chief, Barbara Fairchild, and Central Coast Wine Classic Founder, Archie McLaren, realized $20,000.

The top wine lots were a Jeroboam of 2002 Champagne Louis Roederer Cristal Rose, including a luncheon at the Reims home of owner Frederic Rouzaud, at $12,000, a bottle of 1945 Chateau Mouton-Rothschild at $9,000 and a triple-vertical collection of six bottles each of Bryant Family Pritchard Hill, Colgin Herb Lamb, and Harlan Estate Napa Valley red wines at $8,000.

Top art-oriented lots were a seven-foot tall mosaic horse, created by Santa Barbara artist, Lori Ann David, at $20,000, and an original oil painting with a romantic food and wine theme by renowned Los Angeles artist, Yuroz, at $15,000. A wine barrel hand-painted by Yuroz received a winning bid of $11,000.

The auction's top bidder was Sarah Miller McCune of Santa Barbara, California, followed by Bill & Sharon Shubin of Sun Valley, Idaho.

Wine Classic Founder and Chairman, Archie McLaren, was effusive about the 2009 results. "We made every conceivable effort to set the stage for success, and our patrons, wineries, chefs and hospitality industry partners joined us as a family to make it happen. We couldn't be more pleased, particularly given the recent economic conditions and their impact on the top charity wine auctions. All of our symposia were virtually full, an affirmation of our educational mission, and the wines presented were uniformly excellent. It was an extraordinary event for us. I am sorry only that it is over until next year."

The 2010 Central Coast Wine Classic will take place from Thursday, July 8 through Sunday, July 11. Its theme will be the Rejuvenation of Avila Beach & the Rejuvenation of New Orleans, and the Thursday, July 8, Dinner at Hearst Castle will feature New Orleans chefs, Emeril Lagasse of Emeril's, Susan Spicer of Bayona and Tory McPhail of Commander's Palace. On Friday, July 9, at Dolphin Bay Resort & Spa in Shell Beach, Emeril will also present a Cooking Demonstration, followed by a Luncheon of the demonstrated courses paired with the wines of Jim Clendenen of Au Bon Climat.