Lyric Opera of Chicago's Wine Auction 2018 Ups the Ante with 30th Anniversary Lots

Wine Auction 2018, the highly regarded triennial event organized by The Women's Board of Lyric Opera of Chicago, has announced dazzling auction lots as its milestone 30th anniversary nears.

Since its 1988 inception, Wine Auction has raised over $9 million in support of Lyric Opera. The 12th Wine Auction takes place Saturday, April 14, 2018, and features honored guest Château Margaux, whose celebrated wines will serve as the centerpiece of the evening. Honoree Shirley Welsh Ryan will be recognized for her extraordinary foresight in creating the first Wine Auction 30 years ago and for her ongoing dedication to Lyric and musical expression throughout Chicago.

Wine Auction draws nearly 500 guests and is held in Chicago's historic Lyric Opera House, built in 1929 and renowned for its beautiful Art Deco/Art Nouveau décor. Wine Auction 2018 will commence with a reception and sizeable silent auction in the Daniel F. & Ada L. Rice Grand Foyer, followed by an elegant dinner and live auction on The Ken Pigott Stage of the Ardis Krainik Theatre, specially expanded and decorated for the occasion. The setting underscores the Wine Auction's raison d'être, which is to support the productions and community-engagement activities of the internationally acclaimed opera company.

"We are honored to offer our guests lots of this caliber, truly the strongest roster of one-of-a-kind experiences we've seen in our thirty-year history," said Women's Board President and Wine Auction 2018 Co-Chair Nancy Searle. "The efforts of the Women's Board are inspirational and we are truly fortunate to have a group so dedicated to elevating this evening every three years. Each auction makes an irreplaceable impact on Lyric's commitment to offer a multifaceted program of education, community engagement, and artistic initiatives, along with unparalleled creative expression."

Following tradition, a stunning array of curated wines, luxury items, unique dining experiences, and exquisite travel packages will be featured in Wine Auction 2018. All will be expertly auctioned live by Michael Davis and Ben Ferdinand of the venerable Hart Davis Hart Wine Co.

"The team has outdone themselves with these lots and we're excited to see the bidding begin, both in person and across the globe," said Wine Auction 2018 Co-Chair Keith Kiley Goldstein. "We are so thankful to all of our supporters and partners who make this event possible and a continued success."

Highlights include:

- Celebrating 25 Years of FAY: Three (3) nights' accommodations at the FAY House for two couples; Dinner for four (4) with Winemaker Marcus Notaro with current release and library wines; Fire and Water tour and tasting for four (4) at Stag's Leap Wine Cellars; Five (5) 3-Liters of Stag's Leap Wine Cellars FAY Cabernet Sauvignon Vintages 1995, 2000, 2005, 2010 and the 2015.

- A Day To Discover The Heart and Passion of Morlet Family Vineyards: Signed, etched and numbered double - magnums of 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon: Mon Chevalier, Coeur de Vallee, Passionnement & Morlet Estate; Private blending session, picnic lunch, wine tasting, vineyard tour and gourmet dinner for a party of six (6); One signed copy of Napa Valley Iconic Wineries and Wine Country Women of the Napa Valley signed by Luc and Jodie Morlet; transportation for the day within the Napa Valley provided by Magnum Tours; Six blending-session etched magnums to be shipped after special bottling.

- Napa Valley, Private & Intimate: Three (3) night stay for six (6) with Tom Futo of Futo Wines and Beth Novak Milliken of Spottswoode Estate Vineyard & Winery at the home of Carl and Marilynn Thoma; Private tour and dinner of Futo with Tom and Kyle Futo at the Futo Estate in Oakville; Private tour and dinner with Beth Novak Milliken and her husband John at the historic, private Spottswoode Estate in St. Helena; VIP reservations at select restaurants in Napa; One (1) signed magnum each of the Spottswoode 2013, 2014 and 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon; One (1) signed magnum each of the Futo 2013, 2014 and 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon.

- Luxury African Safari of a Lifetime: Seven (7) night luxury safari for two (2) in Zambia at world-renowned Mfuwe Lodge with award-winner photographer Sue Flood; Game drives; Meals; Personalized vacation photo book curated by Ms. Flood.

- A bottle of 1945 Mouton Rothschild: Donated by Women's Board member Lili Gaubin from the wine collection of her late mother and longtime Women's Board member, Catherine Graham, in honor of Shirley Welsh Ryan, for her extraordinary vision in creating the Wine Auction 30 years ago.

- An imperial (8-bottle format) of 1986 Château Margaux: Purchased on its release in the late 1980s, still in its original wooden case, untouched and in great condition. This spectacular item has been donated by Stephen A. Kaplan, a Lyric board member and Wine Auction advisor emeritus, in honor of Corinne Mentzelopoulos, the widely admired owner and CEO of Château Margaux since 1980.

Bidding for these and dozens more irresistible lots will take place in person, and will also be available online and via phone for enthusiasts worldwide.

Tickets are available for $1,500 per ticket; sponsor level tables begin at $30,000. A limited number of sponsorship packages, which include additional benefits, are still available. Please call (312) 827-5682 or contact lyricwineauction@lyricopera.org.

Northern Trust is the Presenting Sponsor of Wine Auction 2018. Liz Stiffel is Wine Auction's Catalogue Sponsor. American Airlines is the Official Airline of Wine Auction. Lyric Opera of Chicago has partnered with the award-winning Ritz-Carlton Chicago to present special rates for guests of Wine Auction 2018 from April 12 - 15. For more information or to book a room in Wine Auction's block, call 312-266-1000.

Lyric Opera of Chicago's Wine Auction, whose affair has been named among "Top Ten Charity Wine Auctions" by Wine Spectator, has netted more than $9 million since its 1988 inception. The proceeds go directly to Lyric's annual campaign, which supports the world-renowned opera company's activities. For more information, visit the website, call (312) 827-5682 or visit the auction's Facebook page.

Lyric Opera of Chicago's mission is to express and promote the life-changing, transformational, revelatory power of great opera. Lyric exists to provide a broad, deep, and relevant cultural service to Chicago and the nation, and to advance the development of the art form.

Founded in 1954, Lyric is dedicated to producing and performing consistently thrilling, entertaining, and thought-provoking opera with a balanced repertoire of core classics, lesser-known masterpieces, and new works; to creating an innovative and wide-ranging program of community engagement and educational activities; and to developing exceptional emerging operatic talent.

Under the leadership of General Director, President & CEO Anthony Freud, Music Director Sir Andrew Davis, and Creative Consultant Renée Fleming, Lyric strives to become the great North American Opera Company for the 21st century: a globally significant arts organization embodying the core values of excellence, relevance, and fiscal responsibility.

To learn more about Lyric, go to lyricopera.org. You can also join the conversation with @LyricOpera on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.