2025 Auction Lots

1 – 3 Liter 2015 ADAMVS QUINTVS Cabernet Sauvignon
1 – 3 Liter 2015 Château Fonplégade
6 – 750ml 2011 ADAMVS Cabernet Sauvignon
6 – 750ml 2011 Château Fonplégade
4 – 750ml winners’ custom blended wine

Seven (7) day luxurious East and West journey through the world’s premier wine regions in Napa Valley and Bordeaux hosted by Proprietor Denise Adams for two (2) couples

One-Way Private Air from Napa, California to Bordeaux, France on a Gulfstream 550
Private ground transportation to all stated activities

Napa, California:
Three (3) nights’ luxury accommodations in Napa
Private biodynamic vineyard tour at ADAMVS hosted by Denise Adams, followed by a European style al fresco lunch
Exclusive private screening at Cameo Cinema in St. Helena of the documentary Eastbound Westbound featuring ADAMVS & Château Fonplégade
Private guided tour of the art collection at the Kramlich Residence and Collection
Private multi-course farm-to-table dinner at ADAMVS, prepared by a renowned chef and paired with select vintages of ADAMVS wines
Two (2) dining experiences at Napa’s finest restaurants with custom menus

Bordeaux, France:
Three (3) nights’ accommodations at the private estate residence at Château Fonplégade, Saint-Émilion
Private biodynamic vineyard tour hosted by Denise Adams at Château Fonplégade
Custom blending session to create a personalized Bordeaux blend
Exclusive visits to Bordeaux estates with private tours and tastings at prestigious Right Bank estates
Private hands-on cooking class at Château Fonplégade with a renowned French chef
Private multi-course dinner at Château Fonplégade paired with the estate’s wines

This exclusive seven-day, six-night luxury experience offers two couples a one-of-a-kind insider’s view of two of the world’s premier wine regions—Napa Valley and Bordeaux.

ADAMVS and Château Fonplégade were chronicled in the film Eastbound Westbound, along with other prestigious estates such as Haut-Brion and Château Pontet-Canet.

This modern and fast-paced cinematic documentary aims to trace, understand and demonstrate the historical links between wines of the United States and Bordeaux.

This lot connects the winning bidders with the documentary, showing them first-hand how the two regions are interconnected. This priceless experience is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be immersed into the two wine regions back-to-back from the eyes of the prestigious and highly rated estates of ADAMVS and Château Fonplégade.

Denise Adams and her late husband, Stephen, acquired Château Fonplégade in 2004 and embarked on an extensive renovation of the property. The couple first hired Michel Rolland as consulting winemaker and then brought in Stephane Derenoncourt to consult on the wines and the vineyard. The Adams lovingly restored the château, blending historic charm with modern elegance, and today Château Fonplégade proudly holds the Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé designation it rightly deserves.

Like many estates in Saint-Émilion, Château Fonplégade is primarily composed of Merlot and an increasing proportion of Cabernet Franc. The vineyard is divided into 27 hand-farmed parcels on 45.5 acres. With an impeccable balance between fruit, complexity and aromatic length, the wine is characterized by a sophisticated minerality, soft and supple tannins and a velvety texture.

In 2008, Denise and Stephen continued to expand on their passion for the finest wines and acquired 80 acres on Napa’s Howell Mountain which later became ADAMVS. They embarked on the same process they had employed at Château Fonplégade, hiring Philippe Melka as consulting winemaker and converting the property to biodynamic farming.

ADAMVS produces three estate wines in limited quantities: TÉRES, comprising about 1,000 cases each year; QUINTVS, incorporating barrel selections from each of the five soil types on the property; and the majestic ADAMVS, usually several hundred cases hand-selected from the best barrels and the oldest vines.

For the Napa portion of the trip, your party will be staying at a premium Napa Valley resort. The dinner at ADAMVS will be a farm-to-table feast prepared by a renowned chef, paired with selected vintages of the estate’s wines. There will be an exclusive private screening of the Eastbound Westbound documentary at Cameo Cinema in St. Helena and a guided tour of the renowned art collection at the Kramlich Residence and Collection—offering a rare opportunity to explore one of the most prestigious private collections of contemporary media art. Additionally, gain insight into the estate’s biodynamic farming and winemaking processes and enjoy a French-inspired picnic lunch.

You will then embark by private jet to Saint-Émilion, where you’ll spend three nights at Château Fonplégade’s private residence. Guests will have exclusive access to two private and beautifully appointed suites, each named after famous French authors: Dumas, Sartre and Voltaire, with every suite fully equipped and featuring its own private bathroom. With a personal chef and attentive staff at their service, guests will experience exceptional hospitality while enjoying Château Fonplégade’s serene library, private garden, pool and more.

You’ll enjoy a dinner paired with the estate’s wines, as well as a hands-on cooking class with a renowned French chef. During an exclusive blending session, each guest will create their own personalized Bordeaux blend. In addition, your party will receive VIP tours and tastings at top Right Bank estates.

The winning bidders will receive a collection that represents the best of both estates. Robert Parker called the 2011 Château Fonplégade a “tour de force,” while Jeb Dunnuck referred to the 2015 as a “blockbuster.” In addition to 2015 QUINTVS in Three Liter format, this lot also includes six bottles of 2011 ADAMVS Cabernet Sauvignon, nearly impossible to acquire on the retail market. Dunnuck compared the 2011 ADAMVS to “Chateau Lafite-like with its medium body, flawless balance and silky tannins.”

Two lucky couples will return with a deeper understanding of the connection between Napa and Bordeaux. They will also feel a connection with the next generation, as their generous winning bid is used to improve the lives of our neediest children.

Insider's Info

This lot is for two (2) couples. Both the Napa and Bordeaux portions of the trip will be hosted by Denise Adams. Blackout dates include all major holidays and harvest season. Must be booked at least four (4) months in advance on mutually agreeable dates, subject to availability, and redeemed within 24 months of the auction. One-way Private Air from Napa, California to Bordeaux, France is included. Airfare to Napa, California and returning from Bordeaux, France is not included. All meals are included as stated above and served with non-alcoholic beverages and select wine. Gratuities are included for all stated meals and activities.

Donor

Denise Adams, proprietor of ADAMVS and Château Fonplégade