With a family name rooted in winemaking since the 1400s, wine was in Dave Del Dotto’s veins. In 1988, he was on a wine-buying trip in Napa Valley with his wife Yolanda when they stumbled upon a beautiful 1912 Frank Lloyd Wright craftsman house located in the desirable Rutherford appellation. Dave had a palate for fine wines and a love for real estate, and he knew the Rutherford property had the potential to produce some amazing grapes. He and Yolanda purchased the 17-acre property on the spot after falling in love with the view. In 1990, he continued the 800-year-old Del Dotto legacy by planting new rootstock of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Sangiovese. Today, the family owns three wineries in Napa Valley in six appellations comprising more than 108 acres.

Del Dotto is known for its rich, luscious, silky-smooth style of winemaking, accented by the influence of hand-selected French and American oak barrels. They may be the only winery in the U.S. that offers current vintages on a futures program and bottles single vineyard Cabernets out of single barrels, which results in an array of flavors to choose from. Dave Del Dotto coined the phrase, “The wine is the reduction sauce, and the barrel is the spice rack.” This program results in extremely limited production, with some wines having only one barrel available for the world. They are creating what they call “Liquid Art,” very rare and unable to duplicate again. Best of all, instead of hanging them on your wall, you pull them from your cellar, drink and consume them.

Your party will have an up close and personal view of Piazza Del Dotto with its Italian-inspired “barchessa,” or barn, surrounded by 8.5 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, vegetable gardens, 17th^–century fountains and an outdoor barn with turkeys, peacocks, pheasants and doves. The landscaped yard with its own mini bocce ball court and fountain welcome you for a relaxed and comfortable stay. As you enter the living area, you’ll see an antique Murano glass chandelier and an 85-inch TV; the estate features spacious bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms, along with a private pool, hot tub and expansive outdoor spaces, perfect for relaxation and entertainment. You’ll be located in the heart of Napa, and the winery team will arrange tours and tastings at some of the best addresses in the Valley. Your exposure to Del Dotto wines will include an exclusive barrel tasting hosted by the family, plus a pairing of selected older wines with local delicacies—following Dave Del Dotto’s philosophy that wine tasting should be a total sensory experience.

The culinary high point of your stay will be dinner at The French Laundry, Chef Thomas Keller’s Three Star Michelin restaurant in Yountville. Your group will enjoy a nine-course tasting menu highlighting the finest seasonal ingredients and impeccable service in one of America’s most intimate and famous dining rooms. A true icon of American gastronomy, The French Laundry promises an evening of elegance, artistry and flavor that will be remembered for a lifetime.

The winning bidders will receive a rare and stunning collection of Del Dotto wines in Magnum format, including many older vintages no longer available for purchase at retail. A number of these wines are from the stellar vintages of 2012 and 2013 including 100-point vintages. Robert Parker described 2012 as “a superb vintage of flamboyant and dramatic, concentrated wines” and 2013 as “a classic of power, intensity and equilibrium,” proclaiming the latter vintage to be the finest wines he had tasted from Napa in 37 years.

Red can’t wait to explore Del Dotto and Villa Piazza with you. A generous winning bid will provide you with this singular experience and help our neediest children at the same time.

Insider’s Info

This trip is for four (4) couples. Visit to be scheduled for mutually agreeable dates, based on availability, and blackout dates include Del Dotto event weekends, including but not limited to, January 9-14 and 28-31; February 1, 2, 4-9, 12-16 and 19-23; March 12-16; April 10-13, 16-20 and 30; May 1-4 and 28-31; June 1, 9-16, 19-22 and 26-30; July 1, 9-13 and 23-27; August 6-10 and 20-24; September 9-14, 16-21 and 24-28; October 8-12, 15-19 and 22-26; November 5-9 and 12-17; and December 3-7, 2026. Airfare and airport transfers are not included. Meals are only included as stated above. The dinner at The French Laundry includes a tasting menu only and does not include wine, alcoholic beverages or non-alcoholic beverages. The lunch with the Del Dotto family includes select wines and non-alcoholic beverages. Any additional meals, alcoholic beverages and non-alcoholic beverages are not included. Gratuities are included for all stated activities.