More than 2,000 Expected at Manhattan Wine Auction; Silent Auction Now Open
Jun 10, 2023 10:44AM ● By Jeanne Fratello
2022 Manhattan Wine Auction. Photo via MBEF
More than 2,000 guests are expected on Saturday night for the South Bay’s biggest "party
(A scene from the 2022 Manhattan Wine Auction. Photo via MBEF.)
This year's silent auction features a wide array of items, including getaways, sports items, beauty and health packages, offerings from local businesses, and more. In addition, the auction includes more than 750 bottles of wine donated by members of the community and wineries from throughout California and beyond.
The Manhattan Wine Auction raises funding for the Manhattan Beach Education Foundation (MBEF) and the Manhattan Beach public schools through ticket sales and live and silent auction items. The wine auction typically brings in seven figures for the schools; the 2022 wine auction raised $1.3 million.
Although tickets for this year's event sold out within hours last month, the online silent auction is open to all for bidding. (See the items, register, and place your bids here.)
This year, 50 local restaurants will be sampling small bites, alongside more than 80 wineries, breweries and distilleries who will be pouring rare and specialty wines in the Reserve Room and Vineyard Courts.
(A scene from the 2022 Manhattan Wine Auction. Photo via MBEF.)Meanwhile, dozens of volunteers have been working to secure the
commitments of the wineries and restaurants, curate auction lots, and
bring the event together on the final day.
“At
the heart of the Wine Auction are the incredible volunteers and event
committee who spend countless hours coordinating this colossal effort,”
said Hilary Mahan, executive director of MBEF. “The Wine Auction is
truly a year-round endeavor and a labor of love, all in support of our
schools and our students.”
This year’s Platinum
sponsors are Chevron and The Desolation Hotel. Kirkland & Ellis is
the Reserve Room Presenting Sponsor, while the Bay Club (Manhattan Country Club) serves as host and provides significant support to the event.
“The generosity of this community continues to exceed my expectations,"
said Jake Dax, this year's event chair. "We have an incredible auction
and event coming together, and I look
forward to seeing the hard work of our committee and volunteers come to life."
Manhattan Wine Auction Highlights
The live auction features multiple one-of-a-kind offerings, including a package of 100-
point wines, a collection of specialty magnums, culinary experiences with some of the South Bay’s most celebrated chefs, an exclusive getaway to the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Los Cabos at Costa Palmas, unique sports packages, a private VIP experience at Harlan’s esteemed properties in Napa, and a VIP weekend at the AT&T Pebble Beach Celebrity Pro-Am.(The 2022 paddle raise for STEM. Photo via MBEF.)
This year's Paddle Raise is dedicated to growing the foundation of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) to build on the district's current programs with a more comprehensive curriculum and enrichment opportunities. Last year's paddle raise for STEM brought in $225,000.
Also at this year's event, MBEF will recognize G. Bradford Jones and
Joan Hood Jones as co-recipients of the 2023 Legacy Award for their
roles in the organization’s success and growth over the years and for
their philanthropic contributions. Over more than three decades, they
have served in numerous capacities for MBEF, the MBEF Endowment, the
PTAs, and in community and civic life. During Brad’s tenure, the MBEF
Endowment was started with a $10,000 investment, and has now reached $23
million and dispersed over $6 million to the schools.
“Fundraising is all about trying to instill the joy of
giving for a worthy cause," said Mahan. "I am grateful for the early
trailblazers who were committed to supporting our schools and led the
way for countless others to follow in their footsteps.”
MBEF - celebrating its 40th anniversary this year -
was founded in 1983 to provide a means for parents to invest in public
education for their children in the Manhattan Beach school district.
That need has grown from a few thousand dollars a year at the start to a
multi-million dollar commitment that helps to maintain rigorous
academics and educational opportunities that would otherwise not be
possible.
Over its 40-year history, MBEF has donated more than $100
million to the Manhattan Beach Unified School District.
