People with big hearts and a love of fine wine gather each summer in Nashville to experience l'Eté du Vin. The events are charity wine extravaganzas unlike any others. Many first-time visitors say they are surprised to discover rare vintages, oversized bottlings, and wines impossible-to-find anywhere in the world, up for auction here. Others tell of the remarkable International representation and participation. But, what truly sets l'Eté du Vin apart is its year-after-year ability to draw the kind-hearted to Nashville, from across the country and around the world to enjoy stunning wine events and have fun as they help fight cancer.

Today, guests at the summer's two spirited auctions have the opportunity to bid not only on spectacular wines (many of them unavailable commercially), but on exotic trips to exciting places, luxury vehicles, unique dining experiences, fine art, and grand-format tastings, created especially for l'Eté du Vin and featuring the world's most sought-after vintages.

Historic Wine Tastings
Offered at auction each year are comprehensive vertical tastings of some of the world's greatest wines, providing lucky bidders an historic opportunity to compare legendary vintages from distinguished producers. In attendance at many of these events may be wine experts, winemakers or owners who frequently return for a second visit after serving as an honored guest of l'Eté du Vin.

The format of such events vary. Some are offered at a late-morning tasting in flights. At others, the flights are each accompanied by light luncheon courses. Some are held in the evening as a gala dinner featuring many vintages paired with multiple food courses designed to enhance the unique properties of each offering.

2006

• 35 vintages of Chateau Palmer from 1921-2005, with 6 vintages of Alter Ego Palmer from 1998-2003

• Every vintage of Masseto made, from 1987-2002

2005

· 40 vintages of Château Lafite-Rothschild from 1916 - 2001

· 43 wine producers from the 1985 vintage from around the world

2004

· 65 wines from Le Montrachet: Romanée-Conti, Ramonet, Lafon, Laguiche

38 Italian wines from Tignanello, Ornellaia, Solaia, Masseto, Sassicaia, Gaja 23 vintages of Caymus
· Special Selection from 1979 - 2000

2003

· 17 vintages of Quinta do Noval Nacional Port from 1931 - 1991

· 25 wines from the 1961 Bordeaux vintage

· 58 Cote Rotie Single Vineyards: La Mouline, La Landonne, La Turque

2002

· 40 vintages of Château Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande from 1916-2000

· 40 wines from the 1982 Bordeaux vintage

2001

· 50 vintages of Château Petrus from 1924 - 1998

2000

· 30 vintages of Château Haut-Brion from 1919 - 1990

39 wines produced by Stag's Leap Wine Cellars: SLV, Fay, CASK 23

1997

· 42 vintages of Château Latour from 1892 - 1994

1996

· 43 vintages of Château Lafite-Rothschild from 1870 - 1993

• Chateau Haut-Brion, 2000~Double magnum

• Chateau Lafite-Rothschild, 2002~Imperial

• Chateau Ducru-Baucaillou, 1986~Imperial

• Chateau Latour, 1983~Imperial

• Chateau d'Yquem-1959, 1970, 1975, 1990~Four bottles

• Chateau Margaux, 1996~One double magnum

• Rusty Staub Foundation Wines~Six double magnums

• Chateau Mouton-Rothschild, 1975~Imperial

• Chatau Mouton-Rothschild, 1996~Double Magnum

• Ornellaia-1990, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003~Six magnums

• Ornellaia & Le Serre Nouve~Six magnums

• Chateau Pichon-Longueville, Lalande, 1995~Double magnum

• Chateau Lafite-Rothschild~Seven bottles

• Contaldi Castaldi Franciacorta Brut~Double magnum

Exotic Trips to the Most Beautiful Places in the World
Guests of l'Eté du Vin auctions may bid on luxury trips to some of the world's most famously exclusive destinations. l'Eté du Vin has been fortunate to have had American Airlines as the Presenting Sponsor for a number of years, making it possible for l'Eté du Vin to expand its trip offerings and increase the financial support of its beneficiaries.

On many occasions, the year's honored guests become personally involved in arranging and hosting these trips so that many are truly a once-once-in-a-lifetime travel opportunity.

Destinations sold at previous auctions include:

Fine Art
At l'Eté du Vin auctions, auction-goers are offered the opportunity to bid on dramatic works by some of the nation's leading illustrators and fine artists. Many original pieces are created especially for the year's event by the renowned artists featured in l'Eté du Vin's catalogs and other print materials.

Featured Artist:

2007 Nikki Shannon Dorsey McHugh

2006 Paul Harmon Kim Thomas

2005 Guy Buffet Bob McGill

2003 Jacques Cournoyer Gerard Dubois Marc Mongeau Feruccio Sardella Oreste Zevola Marlena Zuber

2002 Peter Sylvada Doug Landeth

2001 Greg Manchess

2000 Dennis Ziemienski

1998 Greg Manchess

1997 Michael Schwab

1996 Chrisopher Wormell

1995 Gary Kelley