A Capitol Idea. Hartford Returns to the National Wine Auction Scene.

In 1969, Hartford, Connecticut-based Heublein, Inc. was originator and Hartford was the home of the first United States wine auction.

The single-day wine auction raised $45,000 auctioning some of the world's most coveted wines.  It remained the leading US wine auctioneer until the 1980's when it exited the auction business to became the world's largest wine and spirit producer.

Heublein created an auction frenzy that rivaled European houses Sotheby's and Christies and the wine world has never looked back.

On February 23, 2007, the wine world will look back to Hartford as a Capitol idea returns to its roots.

The Feb. 23, 2007 auction, of which a portion of the proceeds will benefit three worthy charities, is expected to raise more than $125,000 in its first year.  The charities are Connecticut Children's Medical Center, Hartford; Boundless Playgrounds, and Interval House, Hartford.

The Restaurant ON 20 and Chicago's Hart Davis Hart auctioneers are the 2007 title sponsors and will host a Connecticut return to that lofty national wine auction position with its first Connecticut Classic Wine Auction (CCWA). Michael Davis, president of Hart Davis Hart, will conduct the auction as its auctioneer.  A familiar face to collectors world wide, Mr. Davis has an especially fond appreciation for Hartford, helping raise more than $1-million for Connecticut charities since the early 1990's.  His firm is one of the top three US auction houses.

Heublein also created what today is known as the wine futures category, a business reaching the $600,000-million mark world wide. At the 1969 Heublein wine auction, prices on many varieties of stored wine doubled over the previous 12-months giving rise to a market in what aficionados call "wine futures."  Heublein's Alexander McNally said in 1969 that "It's (wine) a more personal investment than stocks or commodities," he says. "It's more like adopting children."

The February 23, 2007, auction will feature 75 live auction lots and 35 silent auction lots.  The items offered will include top wines from pristine cellars, ravel, art and wine-related memorabilia.