On November 5th and 6th in New Orleans, the Emeril Lagasse Foundation celebrated its 19th annual fundraising weekend, raising a Foundation record $3.75 million. Over a quarter of the funds raised came from a single bottle of The Setting Wines 2019 Glass Slipper Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, which was purchased for $1 million.
The six-liter bottle of Napa cabernet sauvignon is the first single bottle to sell for seven figures and it’s the highest bid for a single bottle of wine at an auction. The Cabernet was made by Jesse Katz, a Healdsburg winemaker, who sourced grapes from the Glass Slipper Vineyard, in Napa’s Coombsville viticultural area.
Made of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, this bottling is the first wine ever to be released from this vineyard, which is owned by long-time vintners, Paul and Suzie Frank. Marrying meticulous farming, of which the Franks are known for, with the world-class winemaking skills of Katz, The Setting Wines 2019 Glass Slipper Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is an exquisite wine that showcases finesse and age-ability while encapsulating the elegant nuances of the region. Only 75 cases and one six-liter bottle were produced.
Katz founded The Setting Wines in 2014, with friends Jeff Cova and Noah McMahon. He also is the founder of Aperture Cellars and Devil Proof wine labels and recently built Aperture Estate, an avant-garde production facility and tasting room south of Healdsburg, with investment assistance from Houston Astros owner Jim Crane.
The Setting Wines first broke world records when a 750-ml bottle of their wine sold for $350,000 at Carnivale du Vin in 2017. “We are truly honored and amazed to make history again, especially as part of an event that means so much to us,” said McMahon, who serves on the Advisory Committee of the Emeril Lagasse Foundation. “Inspiring others in meaningful ways is a huge part of our brand ethos, so we couldn’t be more thrilled to know this record-breaking sale will have such a big impact on the Emeril Lagasse Foundation’s mission to create uplifting educational and developmental programs for children.”
“We are humbled to be able to offer $1 million to the Emeril Lagasse Foundation and its efforts to support youth, ” said Don Steiner, purchaser of the world record breaking lot.
If you’d like to try some for yourself, a 750 ml bottle of 2019 The Setting Glass Slipper Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon can be purchased for $185 from the brand’s official website.