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50 { THE SOMM JOURNAL } FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017 { big things } Also involved since 1997 is vintner John Skupny, proprietor of Lang & Reed, who has previously served as President of regional association Napa Valley Vintners. His label is known for exquisite Cabernet Franc–based wines. "The auction has con - tinually exceeded all of our expectations," he declares. "It was originally intended to reintroduce a post-phylloxera Napa and is primarily a trade event. We lost touch with the trade back then and asked ourselves how we could engage wine buyers from around the country. We soon became a break-the-mold auction." Skupny is also at the helm of the suc - cessful online project, by which more than 40 of the 200-plus lots are auctioned via the Internet, casting a global net and allow - ing for a greater diversity of buyers while also shortening the live lot auction to a more efficient two- to three-hour timeline. Just to prove how singularly diverse the lots from individual vintners are, Skupny offers a five-case lot of Oak Knoll District Chenin Blanc, a variety he recently started producing. He'll be previewing his lot at a special tasting of the online lots on Friday, February 24 at Hall Winery. The Buyer's Side What started as a private storage facility in Houston, Nos Caves Vin has evolved to designing custom wine rooms and offer- ing management services with members who are wine collectors. Wine Services Manager Chuck Jenkins has been attending Premiere Napa Valley for 20 years. He is not only armed with members' funds but also brings some of his collector clients to Napa to sample wines at the tastings hosted during Premiere week. "It's the best time of the year for me. How can you not enjoy being chauffeured from one winer y par ty to another?" he asks. Members either pool their money as a consortium or Jenkins raises his paddle for them individually. "As a group, we spend an average of $20,000 to $50,000," Jenkins tells The Somm Journal. "I don't buy anything Shelby Peterson, F&B Director of one of Colorado's top resorts, C Lazy U Guest Ranch, is coming back to Premiere for the third year in a row. "Successful bidder" lots for Shelby Peterson, F&B Director of C Lazy U Ranch in Granby, Colorado. PHOTO: MOLLY JOHNSON PHOTO: COURTESY OF C LAZY U RANCH