The 21st Annual Destin Charity Wine Auction presented by the Jumonville Family raised a record $4 million for children in need in Northwest Florida, the Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation announced Tuesday.
- The total represents a $550,000 increase over the previous year and the most ever raised at an auction in DCWAF history.
Proceeds will benefit the foundation’s 16 partner children’s charities across Northwest Florida.
The auction, held April 24 and 25, drew a sold-out crowd of more than 600 guests.
“This historic year for Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation is a powerful reflection of what happens when generosity and purpose come together,” DCWAF President Karah Young said. “We are incredibly grateful to our patrons, vintners, sponsors, and partners who continue to make this mission possible year after year,” she said.
The weekend began Friday, April 24, with 11 patron dinners hosted in private homes and restaurants from Pensacola to Alys Beach. Those dinners collectively raised $860,000.
The live auction kicked off Saturday, April 25, with the foundation’s flagship Magnum Force lot, featuring 50 magnums from vintners past and present, which raised $55,000.
The highest single-selling lot of the night was a nine-night, fully guided trip to Italy donated by Marilisa Allegrini, which sold for $400,000. Two other lots sold for more than $100,000, marking the first time in DCWAF history that three single-selling lots sold for six figures. An all-inclusive, four-night chartered yacht excursion in the British Virgin Islands with private air passage sold for $150,000, and a seven-night stay in Virgin Gorda sold for $100,000.
Young said surpassing $4 million represents real, life-changing impact for children across Northwest Florida and pointed to the $400,000 sale as a standout moment of the weekend.
This year’s auction featured 47 live lots, 17 cellar lots, 25 super silent lots and 110 silent lots, including rare wines, luxury travel experiences and other one-of-a-kind items.
The foundation honored Jean-Noël Fourmeaux of VGS Chateau Potelle as the 21st Annual Auction’s Honorary Vintner. Fourmeaux donated two live lots — an immersive stay in Napa Valley guided by Napa’s most famous French wine families and the only full piano of 2019 Piece de Resistance Cabernet Sauvignon in existence — that sold for a combined $98,000.
Funds will be distributed to the foundation’s partner organizations for specific projects and programs benefiting children during a private check presentation ceremony scheduled for August at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort and Spa.
Founded in 2005, DCWAF has donated more than $38 million to Northwest Florida charities through wine and culinary events, impacting the lives of more than 100,000 youth, including those affected by health issues and abuse.
The 22nd Annual Destin Charity Wine Auction weekend is scheduled for April 23-24, 2027.
