The annual Cellar Classic auction in California will feature a 1947 Cheval Blanc, with all proceeds going to support local community service programs.

St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church will host the auction for the third time in the church’s garden courtyard in Los Olivos. The event will kick off with a silent auction featuring wines and wine country-themed lifestyle items, followed by a live auction with a professional auctioneer.

Considering the scale of the auction, there are some reputable wines up for sale. All wines are rated 100 points in Wine Advocate, with just one 99 point on offer. Other wines on offer are a 1949 Leroy Musigny; a 1955 and a 1959 Leroy Chambertin; 1961 Haut Brion; 1961 Chateau Latour; Jeroboam of 1970 Mouton Rothschild; a 1978 and a 1979 Lafite Rothschild and Mouton Rothschild; Magnum of 1982 Lafite Rothschild, a 1985 Jayer Richebourg and a 1999 Screaming Eagle.

All proceedings from the auction will be used to support local community service programs, with events space in the church provided to more than 40 community and arts organisations. Throughout the day, guests will enjoy local wines and bountiful gourmet hors d’oeuvres and desserts.

Rector Reverend Dr. Randall Day said: "We also actively support the arts with free concerts, exhibitions of painting, photography and sculpture.
"Our pre-school provides top-flight early childhood education. We embrace a spacious Christianity where there is room for absolutely everyone; all are invited to attend the Cellar Classic, truly an exceptional community event."

America seems to have rekindled its love of fine wine recently, and US auction totals have recently overtaken Hong Kong as sales in the Far East dip. US auction totals rose from US$41.2 million in the second quarter of 2011 to US$45.3m in the same period this year.

Sales in Hong Kong dipped from a high of US$62.7 million to under US$35 million, although Bordeaux hasn’t been severely impacted on the markets overall.