In this exceptional trip for two, experience Napa Valley like never before. Celebrated winery Freemark Abbey, known for its rich history and enthusiastic hospitality, is hosting a two-night getaway and wine experience at their estate in St. Helena, California. Explore three decades of their signature, award-winning single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignons at a tasting for two, and take home a package of highly coveted library wines spanning three decades that are exclusively available at the cellared library. Reservations are required. Accommodation and tasting experience are subject to availability. Expires December 31, 2023.
Fair Market Value: $5,000
Lot donated by: Freemark Abbey

Set between the flowering gardens of the KLCC Park and the dramatic heights of the Petronas Twin Towers is the Forbes Five-Star Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur. Offering impressive views, fabulous facilities, and a convenient central location, this luxurious city escape boasts elegantly designed rooms, exquisite suites, and tantalizing Asian and international cuisines. Two lucky winners will spend five days and four nights in a stunning one-bedroom Club Suite accommodation dotted with Asian-inspired artworks. Take advantage of the Mandarin Oriental Club benefits throughout your stay with daily breakfast, exclusive afternoon tea, and evening cocktails. Complete your Asian city escape with a specially curated dinner menu for two by the Executive Chinese Chef at Lai Po Heen, the on-site restaurant known for its authentic Cantonese delicacies and where guests can watch chefs showcase their skills in an open kitchen as they effortlessly prepare signature delights. International air travel not included. Subject to availability. Valid May 1, 2023 to April 30, 2024. 2023 Black out dates: February 28 – March 5, June 26—28, October 17-10; and any applicable dates in 2024).
Fair Market Value: $5,000
Lot donated by: Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur

Waiting just outside the hustle and bustle of Portland, Oregon, is an awe-inspiring paradise for the wine lover’s palette. Two lucky people will spend five days and four nights traveling through Oregon’s gorgeous wine country with a group of top performing Auburn University hospitality management program seniors. Enjoy three nights in the Willamette Valley wine region and one night in the city of Portland at the historic Benson Hotel. Get a glimpse of what makes this area the world-renowned home of pinot noir by indulging in private tours and tastings at Domaine Serene, Raptor Ridge, Winderlea, Alexana, Zenith, Argyle, and Stoller. This journey takes place early October 2023. Airfare and accommodations not included. Airfare and accommodations not included. Venues are subject to change based on availability.
Fair Market Value: $10,000
Lot donated by: The Horst Schulze School of Hospitality Management

Begin your golf getaway at Willow Point Golf & Country Club Villas with lunch at The Stone Grill . Enjoy lunch at The Stone Grille and be ready to tee off on “America’s most beautiful lakeside course” for an afternoon round of golf. That evening, prepare to be spoiled at SpringHouse for a private three-course dinner with wine pairings at the WellHouse. Enjoy the comforts of on four-bedroom golf villa The following day, start your day with breakfast at Fanny Goldmine Diner then go on to The Stables in the 10,000 square foot equestrian center as you prepare for your choice of guided horseback trail ride through Russell Forest. After your ride, enjoy good ol’ southern favorites in fresh, casual, family-friendly atmosphere – lakeside at Kowaliga restaurant. Includes four rooms for one night. Round of golf for eight. Trail ride for eight. All meals for eight. Meals exclude alcohol. Subject to availability. Expires September 2023.
Fair Market Value: $4,000
Lot donated by: Russell Lands

Just a short drive from the plains of Auburn is an awe-inspiring paradise in the mountains of Cashiers, North Carolina. Three lucky couples will be hosted by Tesha and Larry Thorne to a three-day/two-night stay in their beautiful mountain home overlooking the 17th tee box of Discovery Mountain Top golf course. While the ladies spend the day shopping and sightseeing, the gentlemen play a round of golf at the acclaimed Tom Fazio course at the Discovery Mountain Top golf course on day one, and another round of golf on day two at the exclusive High Hampton Inn golf course. You will also be hosted to a fine dining experience by the Thorne’s at the High Hampton Inn Resort restaurant.
Fair Market Value: : N/A.
(Special Note: Not subject to charitable contribution deduction by IRS standards due to indeterminate fair market value.)
Lot donated by: Tesha and Larry Thorne

Join the College of Human Sciences on this exciting six-night/seven-day tour of Italy as we celebrate two decades of the Joseph S. Bruno Study Abroad (JSB) program in Italy. Major cities on this tour include Rome, Ariccia, and Tuscany. Included in this package are all hotels, breakfasts, bus transfers, tour leaders and guides at specific locations and museums, admissions to museums and sites, wine tastings, and all group lunches and dinners specified. Notable stops on the trip are the Vatican Museum, the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, Chigi Palace and Park, the Church of the Assunta, the Papal Gardens and Popes Palace in Castel Gandolfo, the outstanding Park of Niki de Saint Phalle, the Tarots Garden, Villa La Foce and the site where the movie, Gladiator, was filmed. Michelin star rated restaurant dining experiences included are dinners at Sintesi and Castello Banfi. The highlight of the trip will be the 20th Anniversary, celebration of the JSB program to be held in the Chigi Palace. International flights not included.
Fair Market Value: $15,100 (proceeds from the sale of this package benefit the Horst Schulze School of Hospitality Management and the renovation and expansion of the Chigi Palace, home to the Joseph S. Bruno Auburn Abroad in Italy program)
Opportunity provided by: The College of Human Sciences

Immerse yourself in the ultimate wine experience during a six-day/six-night wine adventure alongside 12 of Auburn University’s most promising hospitality management seniors. In this exciting trip, you will visit California’s most popular wine regions, from Santa Lucia Highlands, Carmel Valley and Carneros to Napa Valley, Alexander Valley and Sonoma. Delight in private winery tours and vineyard dining experiences with owners and winemakers. Additionally, you’ll explore the region’s culinary side and meet some of the country’s top chefs while getting behind-the-scene tours of Michelin three-star restaurants and Forbes Five-Star resorts. Venues include The Sardine Factory, Pebble Beach, Holman Ranch, Pisoni Vineyards, Opus One, Quintessa, Domaine Carneros, Far Niente, Robert Sinskey Vineyards, Trinchero Family Estates, Freemark Abbey, Auberge du Soleil, Fisher Vineyards, The French Laundry, Single Thread Farms and others. This journey takes place in May 2024. Airfare and accommodations not included. Venues are subject to change based on availability.
Fair Market Value: $15,000
Lot donated by: The Horst Schulze School of Hospitality Management

Experience an amazing journey to France for four with Master Sommelier Emmanuel Kemiji & Hans van der Reijden, best friends and partners in a small winery themselves! In Spring of 2024, you and three friends will kick off your experience in the city of Bordeaux with dinner in the Old City, located on a bend of the river Garonne. On day two, you will visit the Medoc region and visit two Grand Cru wineries. On day three, you will travel to the gorgeous and historic city of St. Emilion and visit a Grand Cru winery. On day four, you will travel to Sauternes to enjoy some of the world’s finest dessert wines and dine at a Michelin Star restaurant. On day five, we will visit either Cognac or Armagnac for a private distillery tour and experience. Airfare not included. Blackout dates apply. 6 Days, 5 Nights.
Fair Market Value: $20,000
Lot donated by: Ithaka Hospitality Partners & Clos Pissarra/Miura Vineyards.

Experience wine country in the Dundee Hills of the Willamette Valley with Winderlea Vineyard and Winery and Alexana Winery. The lucky winner and three friends will discover the Dundee Hills in this six-night/six-day exploration. For the first three nights, winegrowers Bill Sweat and Donna Morris will personally host four people in their vineyard guest house. A private vineyard tour and a mixed case of wines will be yours to enjoy during the stay. Next, travel on to The Revana Portfolio’s pristine Alexana Estate for a once-in-a-lifetime, three-night stay in Dr. Revana’s luxurious Gold - LEED Certified winery penthouse suite. Your luxury accommodations include two ensuite queen bedrooms with spa-inspired bathrooms, a shared balcony, living room, kitchen, and outdoor patio and four specially selected 750ml bottles to enjoy during your stay. Included in your stay is a private vineyard tour with an Estate Host (weather permitting), an exclusive tasting featuring wines from Alexana’s award-winning Revana Estate Vineyard, access to the Willamette Valley’s top concierge services to assist in personalizing your stay, and the opportunity to bypass the waiting list for our highest level of membership. Whatever your adventure, this is sure to be a trip to remember! Accommodations for four persons are subject to availability and must be reserved 4-6 months in advance. Blackout dates include: June 24-30 and July 27 – August 3. Air travel not included.
Fair Market Value: $10,500
Lot donated by: Winderlea and Alexana Winery

The lucky winner of this package will enjoy a private evening with Coach Bruce Pearl for six at the luxuriously appointed condominium of Nick Davis and Sergio Marentes in The Laurel Hotel and Spa. Overlooking scenic views of Auburn’s Samford Hall, you and five of your closest friends will be treated to an evening of conversations, dinner, and wine with our very own Coach Pearl. Featured chef of the evening, Chef Daniel de Oliveira, will prepare a delectable five-course meal complete with wine pairings starting off with an amuse bouche followed by an appetizer, a first and second entrée, and ending with dessert. Also included for the winner are two court side seats to a mutually agreed upon SEC basketball game. Dinner will be set for mutually agreed date by all parties involved.
Fair Market Value: N/A.
(Special Note: Not subject to charitable contribution deduction by IRS standards due to indeterminate fair market value.)
Lot donated by: L. Nick Davis, ‘84, Sergio Marentes, Bob Broadway, and Coach Bruce Pearl