What if I told you there was an event that lasts four days, features tastings of ultra-premium wines, including First Growth Bordeaux and Cult California Cabernet, dinners crafted by celebrity chefs and James Beard award winners, and incomparable seminars and receptions?

What if I told you that the event also includes live and silent auctions, where you have the chance to win luxurious wine vacations to France, Australia, South America and other wine regions, rare and exceptional wine in large formats and case quantities, and other unique items and experiences?

And what if I told you that the event has raised over $10 million for the American Heart Association over the last 12 years, helping to support research into the number one cause of death in the United States?

You would want to get involved. Admit it.

Well, you can. And it’s easy. The 13th Annual Heart’s Delight Wine Tasting & Auction is taking place May 2-5, 2012 in Washington, DC. There are two ways for a wine lover to get involved in this great event: (1) attend the festivities, and (2) bid on auction lots!

To attend one of the fantastic Heart’s Delight experiences, just pick which day you wish to attend and purchase a ticket:

Wednesday is the United States of Wine celebration, with a wine tasting with owners and winemakers and a live auction featuring large format bottles direct from the winery. The reception will be followed by a BYO-style Collectors Dinner in the company of the participating winemakers.

Thursday is a series of intimate wine dinners with an international flair in homes, restaurants and Embassies with a host, chef and winemaker at each.

Friday is a black tie Vintner’s Dinner featuring the wines of Château Mouton Rothschild presented by Philippe Dhalluin. The evening will also include a live auction, and the whole evening will be presided over by Jamie Ritchie of Sotheby’s.

Saturday is the big one. It includes a formal seated tasting of Bordeaux wines from the famed 2009 vintage – including several 100-point wines – as well as older vintages, presented by representatives of the chateaux in attendance. There also will be cooking classes and seminars. The evening continues with the showcase tasting reception with a silent and live auction, celebrity chef stations, wine tasting stations, and Vegas-style entertainment and games. It all concludes with a VIP after party!

Don’t live in, or can’t get to, Washington, DC? That’s okay! You can still bid on any of the great auction lots by completing an absentee bidder registration form. Check out all of the amazing items up for bidding at the links below, and if you see one (or more!) that you must have, get your form in to Heart’s Delight!

Wednesday Silent Auction
Wednesday Live Auction
Friday Silent Auction
Friday Live Auction
Saturday Silent Auction
Saturday Live Auction

Between now and the start of the event on May 2nd, Terroirist will be highlighting some of the more unique and exciting auction lots with reminders on how you can bid. For now, get your tickets and make plans to attend, or start browsing the catalogs and submit your registration forms! Heart’s Delight is an amazing organization for a tremendous cause. I am proud to be a committee member, and everyone here at Terroirist is proud to support the event!