28 Feb $1M raised at Pairings Lucky No. 13 to benefit cancer research, patient support
NASHVILLE, TN — Nashville Wine Auction once again celebrated a successful weekend to help fund the fight against cancer. More than $1 million was raised during the 13th annual Pairings: Nashville’s Ultimate Wine and Food Weekend on February 20-22.
Nashville has a thriving and generous wine community, supporting the lives of thousands through donations and attendance. Long-time supporters Amy & Brannan Atkinson and Pam & Steve Taylor co-chaired the event. Proceeds from the weekend will help fund the fight against cancer through local cancer organizations that provide innovative patient treatment, cancer research and caregiver/patient support.
“Pairings is our favorite weekend of the year in Nashville. The combination of generous donors and bidders, excellent wines, and friendships new and old is truly unbeatable,” Co-Chairs Amy and Brannan Atkinson say. “We want to thank all the people who made it possible to raise more than $1 million, we know this will positively change the lives of many local people affected by cancer. We are proud to have been part of this incredible series of events, the best of its kind in the entire country.”
The three-day, fun-filled weekend kicked off with 13 vintner dinners hosted in private homes and a restaurant on Thursday. More than 300 guests enjoyed meeting winemakers and tasting their fantastic wines at special dinners prepared by renowned chefs.
On Friday evening, the Nashville Wine Auction hosted “Wined Up! & The Collectors’ Showcase,” a walk-around wine tasting party and Silent Auction at City Winery. More than 350 guests enjoyed selections from over 28 West Coast wineries including Arrington Vineyards, Bricoleur Vineyards, Clarice Wine Company, Clos Solène Winery, Covert Estate, Denali Estate, Donelan Family Wines, DuMOL, Hyde Vineyard Estate, Innumero, JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery, L’Aventure Winery, Limerick Lane Cellars, Mauritson Wines, Memento Mori, Morét-Brealynn Wines, Pahlmeyer, Peay Vineyards, Phifer Pavitt Wine, Pisoni Family Vineyards, Reeve Wines, Résonance Wines, Rewa Vineyards, Rowen Wine Company, Simon Family Estate, The Setting Wines, Stalworth, Three Sticks Wines, WALT Wines and William Cole Vineyards.
“I had the honor of representing L’Aventure at the Nashville Wine Auction this week. The city’s warmth and hospitality were truly exceptional, and the event’s impeccable organization made it a memorable experience,” Hospitality Manager of L’Aventure Winery Nichole Hegge says. “I’m incredibly proud to have contributed our wines and time to support such a noble cause, raising funds for cancer research and connecting with Nashville’s outstanding community.”
“I had an incredible time in Nashville supporting a truly worthy cause with an amazing group of people. The event was flawlessly executed, filled with energy, generosity, and a shared commitment to making a difference,” Cushing Donelan of Donelan Family Wines says. “It was the perfect opportunity to connect with old friends and make wonderful new ones along the way. Dinner was absolutely fantastic—great food, even better company. As a featured vintner, it was an unforgettable night of giving back, laughter, and celebration!”
Pairings weekend was capped with the Pairings Dinner and Live Auction which took place at Loews Vanderbilt Hotel. Guests indulged in a five-course gourmet dinner featuring West Coast wines while raising their paddles in the always-exciting Live Auction.
Chef Robbie Wilson carefully prepared a “Pairing” for each dinner course. Dinner featured wines from Donelan Family Wines, DuMol, L’Aventure, Résonance Wines and The Setting Wines. The Live Auction was kicked off with bidding on a priceless pour of 1996 Château Latour, which brought in $12,000.
“Raise Your Paddle,” a moment during each Pairings Live Auction where the impact of Nashville Wine Auction mission, broke an all-time record. Former Nashville Wine Auction President/CEO Holly Hearn Whaley shared her personal journey with the crowd. After more than 10 years dedicated to raising funds for the fight against cancer and retiring from Nashville Wine Auction, Whaley began her own battle. Her testimony, along with a generous match by Amy and Brannon Atkinson, helped raise more than $175,000 for beneficiaries.
“Pairings Lucky No. 13 was wonderful as always,” President and CEO of the Nashville Wine Auction Loren Chumley says. “In addition to longtime supporters, more than 20% of our guests were new and everyone helped us raise over $1 million for the fight against cancer for the second year in a row. I am always blown away by the generosity of our wine-loving community.”
The top lots sold in the Pairings Live Auction on Saturday included:
• Aye Yai Yai Yai! It’s GAJA, Sassicaia, Ornellaia! – $48,000: This ultra-luxe buy-a- spot Italian wine dinner including the “aias,” as well as other legends such as Conterno, Biondi Santi, and Masseto.
• California Wine Stars Shine So Bright – $23,000: Twenty-two lucky bidders will join hosts Pam and Steve Taylor for this dinner highlighting California wine stars like Schramsberg, Aubert, Joseph Phelps Insignia, Scarecrow and more.
• The Napa Tour with Icons of Winemaking, Trip for Three Couples – $20,000: Featuring four nights at The Setting Inn, an oyster and caviar experience with Pahlmeyer, VIP experiences with Rewa Vineyards, Phifer Pavitt Winery, as well as lunches with Denali Estate, Simon Family Estate, and William Cole Vineyards, and dinner at Covert Estate.
• White Sands and Turquoise Waters: Luxury Turks and Caicos Getaway for 7 Couples – $18,000: An incredible Saturday to Saturday stay at luxury Blue Island Villa in the Chalk Sound area of Providenciales, Turks and Caicos.
• Celebrating the Crus of Carneros; Getaway for Three Couples – $16,000: Featuring VIP experiences with Hyde Vineyards and fabulous friends, Benevolent Neglect, Cuvaison, Patz & Hall, Sleeping Giant, and Sangiacomo with accommodations at Stanly Ranch Auberge Resort.
There were more than trips and dinners up for auction Saturday evening. The top wine lots included:
•Bordeaux Best Practices – $14,000: A stellar 18 bottle selection of 2000 Bordeaux featuring Château La Mission Haut-Brion 2000, Château Léoville Barton 2000, Château Pichon- Longueville Baron 2000, Château Rauzan-Ségla 2000, and more.
• Paddles Up for Penfolds Grange – $6,000: An incredible vertical of Bin 95 from vintages 1999-2004.
The Nashville Wine Auction is proud to have the following sponsors for the event: Amy & Brannan Atkinson Giving Fund, The Hearn Foundation, Clinical Solutions Pharmacy, Tennessee Oncology, Husch Blackwell, Chazin & Company, The Navin Group, The Edwards Pharris Group at Morgan Stanley, and Nashville Financial Planning.
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ABOUT THE NASHVILLE WINE AUCTION
Nashville Wine Auction’s mission is to unite the wine community to fund the fight against cancer. In 2025, Nashville Wine Auction will celebrate Pairings: Nashville’s Ultimate Wine and Food Weekend on February 20-22 and the 46th Annual l’Eté du Vin on July 24-26 at JW Marriott. Established in 1980, the Nashville Wine Auction has raised more than $40 million for organizations whose purpose is directly related to cutting-edge research, innovative treatment, and family/patient/caregiver support. www.NashvilleWineAuction.com
NASHVILLE WINE AUCTION BENEFICIARIES
American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge, Ascension Saint Thomas Foundation, Gilda’s Club Middle Tennessee, The Heimerdinger Foundation, HopeKids, Inc., Leukemia Lymphoma Society, Nashville General Hospital Foundation, Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Middle Tennessee, Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Survivor Fitness Foundation, and Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center.