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Mancbach Auction Benefits Wine Education to the Tune of $270,000

Scholarship fund was set up for aspiring young winemakers by late wine director for distributor Southern Wine & Spirits

Jennifer Fiedler

Posted: Monday, December 03, 2007

Jimmy's Gems, an online auction to benefit the Jimmy Mancbach Scholarship Foundation, raised $271,028 over the month of October through the sale of specially blended cuvées from top U.S. winemakers and high-end travel packages. The proceeds will fund opportunities for aspiring wine-industry professionals to attend and work a harvest at top wineries.

Mancbach, who died in January at age 56, created his foundation to carry on his commitment to wine education. For the auction, the foundation turned to winemakers Mancbach had worked with during his nearly 20 years as director of fine wines at Southern Wine & Spirits, the largest wine and spirits wholesaler in the United States.

"I am sure I speak for many like me who may not have made the leap to high-profile distribution without the confidence and competence that Jimmy inspired and provided," said California vintner Tony Soter. He pitched in 450 cases of magnums of a special blend for the auction.

More than 230 bidders participated in the auction, jockeying for lots such as a five-night trip for two to the Kahala Resort in Honolulu which sold for $6,000. A vertical of Ridge Monte Bello magnums from 1988 to 2005 sold for $7,215, and was the event's top wine lot.

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