29 Jan Pairings Dinner & Auction 101: What to Expect Saturday Night
The fun and glamour of the disco era comes to Pairings: Solid Gold as dinner is served and auctioneer Charles Antin calls out the unbelievable lots in the Live Auction on Saturday, February 28 at Loews Vanderbilt Hotel.
Pairings Dinner and Auction is the conclusion of Nashville’s Ultimate Wine and Food Weekend. This year, guests will savor wines expertly paired with an exquisite 5-course meal prepared by Guest Chef Dustin Valette while raising their paddles in the Live Auction for a spectacular night of generosity and celebration.
Whether you’ve already grabbed your tickets or you’re still thinking about it—here’s what to expect at the Pairings Dinner & Auction, so you can feel confident, comfortable, and ready to enjoy one of the most exciting nights of the weekend.
The Evening at a Glance
Pairings Dinner and Auction is an elevated, seated dinner and live auction experience that brings together exceptional wine, curated cuisine, and meaningful fundraising—all in support of cancer research and patient services.
The evening is celebratory, energetic, and welcoming to both first-time guests and longtime supporters. Dress code for the evening is cocktail attire. This is an elevated evening, but not black-tie or formal. Think polished, festive, and comfortable.
Upon arrival, guests will enjoy a wine tasting reception featuring select wineries. After the reception, the evening transitions to a seated, multi-course dinner with wines donated by our guest wineries placed on the table. During the auction, there are three ways to participate: Super Silent Auction (through Mobile Bidding), Live Auction, and Raise Your Paddle Mission Moment.
Pairings Reception
The Pairings Wine Tasting Reception begins at 5:45 pm. We recommend arriving during the reception – which lasts until dinner begins at 7:00 pm. During the reception, you can enjoy select wines donated by guest vintners and hors d’oeuvres, preview auction lots on display, and get comfortable with the space and evening flow. This is also a great time to ask questions and get oriented before dinner!
During the reception, featured wineries will include CHEV Wines, Dakota Shy Winery, DuMOL Winery, Hyde de Villaine, L’Aventure Winery, Limerick Lane Cellars, Nysa Vineyard, Ramey Wine Cellars, The Setting Wines, and Three Sticks Wines.
Pairings Dinner & Wine Pairings
Guests will indulge in a five-course gourmet dinner paired with featured West Coast wines while raising their paddles in the always-exciting Live Auction beginning at 7:00 pm. These wines will be placed at the table, each one paired with a dinner course prepared by Chef Valette. Guests are encouraged to experience these selections, which are graciously donated and presented by the winemakers.
On February 28, 2026, guests will indulge in the following wines alongside Chef Valette’s savory creations:
First Course Pairing: Gran Moraine Brut Rosé NV
Second Course Pairing: Peay Vineyards Estate Chardonnay 2020
Third Course Pairing: Innumero Little Boot Vineyard Pinot Noir 2023
Fourth Course Pairing: Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars ‘ARTEMIS’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
Fifth Course Pairing: Clos Solène ‘Harmonie’ 2022
If you’d like to learn more about these pairings, read the tasting notes here.
Participating in the Auction
We strongly encourage participating in the auction, however it is not required. If you’ve never bid before, our team and volunteers are happy to help. The auctioneer will also guide you through the Live Auction step by step.
Pro Tip: Preview the lots before you arrive! While all lots are displayed during the reception, the Auction Catalog is mailed to registered guests 7-10 days prior, and is posted online at NashvilleWineAuction.com. If you do not receive a catalog in the mail or forget to bring it on Saturday evening, you may pick one up at the registration table.
There are multiple ways to participate — engage at whatever level feels right for you!
Super Silent Auction — Participation in the Super Silent Auction takes place on your phone through Mobile Bidding. You’ll receive a link either via text or email to access the auction. No app download is required – just click the link. Bidding opens on Tuesday, February 24 and closes around 8:30 pm on Saturday, February 28.
Live Auction — The Live Auction takes place between dinner courses — so come prepared to bid high and often! Pick up your paddle at registration and get ready for a high-energy, fast-paced, and fully guided experience.
Raise Your Paddle Mission Moment — During this special time, guests may give at any level to directly support the cause. It’s a meaningful way to participate—and a powerful moment to join in, even if another lot doesn’t go your way. We hope you’ll raise your paddle and be part of the impact.
Learn more about our auction in our Auction 101 blog here.
Your attendance and participation matter.
Every bid, every raised paddle, and every donation directly supports cancer research and patient & caregiver support. Saturday night is about celebrating great wine and food—while making a meaningful difference.
Tickets are on sale now for Pairings: Solid Gold. Join us for a night of great fun all for a greater cause! Purchase tickets here.
About the 101 Series
This article marks the second installment in our 101 series, inspired by the internal “101 sessions” we’ve long used to onboard new interns and new team members at Nashville Wine Auction. Over the years, these informal trainings have proven invaluable in breaking down the inner workings of our events and helping first-timers feel confident and prepared. We realized all our attendees could benefit from the same insider knowledge. In the coming months, we’ll continue the series with additional 101 articles designed to demystify different aspects of our events — from event overviews to wine selection and beyond.