STORY BY KAREN BOSSICK AND AVA SCANLAN

PHOTOS BY KAREN BOSSICK

The Sun Valley Wine Auction, considered one of the premier wine events in the country, will celebrate its 44th year for three days next week.

The three days of art, wine and community kicks off Tuesday, June 24, with the popular River Ranch Wine Walk, which will be followed by a Magnum Pig roast.

Vintners are only too happy to be out along the Big Wood River taking part in the River Ranch Wine Walk.

It will continue Wednesday with a whitewater rafting trip and other vintner adventures, a free art talk and the third annual Cycle & Sip leading up to four vintner dinners.

And it will culminate in the Art & Wine Gala and Live Auction on Thursday, June 26.

Tickets are still available for the Gala; Paddle & Pour, a river rafting adventure with White Otter; Sip & Swing at the newly renovated Big Wood Golf Course, and Sip & Cycle, the bike ride from Ketchum to Hailey that ends at Roots Wine Bar.

Proceeds from the wine auction fund the Sun Valley Museum of Art’s visual arts exhibitions and educational programs that reach more than 4,000 students each year in Blaine County. It also provides free and low-cost arts opportunities for youth.

The Sun Valley Museum of Art is the beneficiary of the Sun Valley Wine Gala.

This year’s event is being led  by Wine Auction Chair Krista Lida Simor, a member of the SVMoA board, a passionate arts advocate and a supporter of arts education and SVMoA’s scholarship program. She is equally passionate about viticulture, having traveled extensively to renowned wine regions for the past two decades.

“This event embodies our community's spirit—generous, passionate, and deeply committed to creativity," said Jennifer Wells Green, Executive Director, SVMoA. "For 44 years, our vintners and donors have championed something bigger than an organization; they've created a legacy that defines our community.”

Green said this year’s event is all about art, as those attending vintner dinners will be able to peruse the fabulous art collections in the homes being used for the dinners.

In addition, Sofia Jaramillo, who grew up in the Wood River Valley and has gone on to pursue photographic opportunities with the likes of National Geographic, will create portraits of supporters.

Dave Wilson will be back this year with his Magnum Pig Roast.

“The newly reimagined Art & Wine Gala celebrates the creative spirit by spotlighting both visual artists and the artistry of winemaking, woven into a vibrant celebration,” added Eliza Notides Young, SVMoA’s Wine Auction Director. “This year we are expanding the experience to celebrate art and the people who bring it to life – artists and art collectors, as well as vintners and wine lovers.”

HIGHLIGHTS OF THREE DAYS OF ART, WINE AND COMMUNITY:

River Ranch Wine Walk and Magnum Pig Roast

The 5th Annual River Ranch Wine Walk will kick off the Sun Valley Wine Auction at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, June 24. Guests will follow a trail through the stunning backyard gardens of three private riverfront estates, enjoying wine tastings from predominantly West Coast vineyards, including some Idaho wineries. The Sun Valley Culinary Institute will offer a selection of appetizers and small bites to complement the varietals.

Jennifer Wells Green addresses patrons at the 2023 Wine Gala and Auction.

At 6:30 p.m., the evening continues exclusively for Grand Cru guests with the Magnum Pig Roast at a private estate. Guests will enjoy a long-held tradition: a whole spit-roasted pig prepared by longtime SVMoA patron Dave Wilson, served alongside favorite magnums provided by vintners from their estate collections.

Vintner Adventures and SVMoA Art Talk

Wednesday, June 25, the public is invited to participate in the Sun Valley Wine Auction Vintner Adventures through individually ticketed events that include outdoor adventures set against the breathtaking landscape of the Wood River Valley and beyond.

Events will feature intimate experiences with vintners and curated wine tastings in a variety of activities that only the Idaho wilderness can provide. In addition to Wednesday’s Vintner Adventures, on Thursday, June 26, SVMoA will host a free art talk at the Museum, which is open to the public.

Paddle & Pour: A half-day whitewater rafting trip with White Otter Outdoor Adventures takes guests through Class II rapids on the Upper Salmon River near Stanley, followed by a wine-paired lunch at Sunbeam Café featuring selections from Zeitgeist Cellars, Blackbird Vineyards and VGS Potelle.

Sip & Swing: ZD Wines, Inman Family Wines and Benevolent Neglect will host a 9-hole golf scramble at Bigwood Golf Course. Bring a team or pair up with other community members and make new friends. The game will conclude with wine tastings and awards.

3rd Annual Cycle & Sip: Enjoy a scenic bike ride along the Wood River Trail from River Run base to Hailey, with a stop for wine tasting by Patz & Hall Wines and Canihan Family Wine at the Sawtooth Botanical Garden, where participants are invited to tour the new sculpture collection. The adventure concludes with a buffet lunch at Roots Wine Bar. Participants will enjoy wine poured by Tony Lombardi of Lombari Wines and Mike Kobler of Kobler Estate Wine.

Vintner Dinners

This year, the 44th Annual Sun Valley Wine Auction Vintner Dinners on Wednesday, June 25, at 6 p.m., promise five unforgettable evenings with award-winning chefs, notable wines and the stunning backdrop of Idaho’s Wood River Valley, artful homes and curated collections.

SUPPER SOCIAL: PARADIGM, BRICOLEUR & ZENA CROWN 

As part of SVMoA’s popular new Vintners and Visionaries series, the Supper Social is a lively, individually ticketed dinner hosted by David Seelos featuring cocktail hour at a private residence in downtown Ketchum followed by dinner at the Sun Valley Culinary Institute. Enjoy standout wines from Paradigm, Bricoleur and Zena Crown, paired with a delicious family-style meal by James Beard-nominated Chef Ben Barlow of Stanley Supper Club. This laid-back gathering is perfect for Wine Auction newcomers — grab a seat at the communal table and get to know SVMoA, its programs and how to get involved.

CIRQ & CHEV + KAMEN: Kevin Longe and Linda Briggs host an intimate evening at their Sun Valley home designed by Sparano + Mooney Architecture, featuring stunning views, a private tour of their contemporary art collection — including Ed Ruscha, Jack Pierson, and Jenny Holzer — and wine from Browne Family Wines’ CIRQ and CHEV, plus Kamen Wines’ Cabernet, paired with dinner by CIA-trained Chef Sarena Stern.

MAURITSON + TREFETHEN + THREE STICKS WINE: Stephanie and Jason Child invite guests to their Gimlet estate for a summer evening of connection over a seasonal dinner by Chefs Callie and Maeme Raspberry, paired with wines from Trefethen, Mauritson and Three Sticks.

REVANA VINEYARDS + LINDSTROM: Together with Sarah and David Woodward, Gail Severn and Bill Buchanan host a memorable night in Gail’s Ketchum backyard and sculpture garden featuring works by Jun Kaneko, Gwynn Murrill and Mark Stasz. Enjoy an al fresco dinner by James Beard semifinalists Chefs Nate Whitley and Rémi Courcenet of Terroir, paired with wines from Lindstrom and Revana Vineyards’ collection of wines from Oregon, Napa and Argentina.

DOM PÉRIGNON + JOSEPH PHELPS + CHÂTEAU D’YQUEM: John and Katie MacCarthy, joined by Joan G. Swift and Farmer Payne Architects, welcome guests to their Greenhorn Gulch home for an evening of art, wine and cuisine. The evening will include a tour of their contemporary art collection and dinner prepared by local Chef Sean Temple, with wine pairings from Dom Pérignon, Joseph Phelps and Château d'Yquem.

FREE ART TALK will take place at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 26, at The Museum. It is open to the public. The Art Talk: State of the (Art) World, in partnership with Christie’s Auction House, will feature Sarah Wendell Sherrill, Senior Vice President, West Coast, Christie’s, for a conversation with Kathryn Lasater and Christie’s and art collectors Susan Swig and Rodman Primack about the state of the contemporary art market.

Art & Wine Gala and Live Auction

The Art & Wine Gala and Live Auction taking place on Thursday, June 26, at the Argyros Performing Arts Center will begin with wine tastings and a limited selection of craft cocktails.

Grand Cru and Premier Cru vintners will be pouring their finest selections and varietals, and acclaimed National Geographic photographer Sofía Jaramillo will be doing impromptu portrait sessions.

The Live Auction will feature exclusive lots including rare wines, immersive travel opportunities and one-of-a-kind experiences — all in support of SVMoA’s mission. The Gala will include “Terra Montane,” a new film by artist Brad Johnson, and an elegant dinner prepared by Food Network and Fiamma Chef Britt Rescigno. Guests will also enjoy wine tastings from participating vintners throughout the evening.

Get Involved

Ticket packages (Grand Cru and Premier Cru) and individually ticketed events are on sale now at https://www.sunvalleywineauction.org/.

The wine auction has raised millions for arts education and community programs.

“Next year’s our 45th anniversary so we’re already talking about what that will look like,” said Green.

The 2025 Art & Wine partners are PURE Insurance, Kirkland & Ellis and Wells Fargo. Other sponsors are Farmer Payne Architects, this year’s individual event sponsor; wine shipping and distribution partners Cobalt Wine Logistics and S&C Distributors, who help ensure seamless delivery of wines. Community partners are Fiamma, La Gritona Reposada, maaterra, Roots Wine Bar & Bottle Shop, Sturtevants, White Otter and Wylde Irish Gin.