The 26th Auction Napa Valley made US$8.4m this weekend - down on the US$10.5m raised last year, reports Janice Fuhrman in Decanter.com. But despite a drop in the money made from the auction, just one record-breaking lot did make over US$1m.

The lot consisted of wine journeys through France and Napa Valley, and the large-format bottles of a new Staglin Family Vineyard meritage blend (2006 vintage). It was bought for $1.05m by Joy Craft of Woodside, California, who was also the top bidder at the 2005 auction.

The second-highest lot sold was the first complete vertical of Screaming Eagle magnums ever offered, from the 1992 to 2004 vintages. It went for US$460,000.

The annual wine auction raises money for local charities, including work for health care, youth services and low-income housing efforts. Auction Napa Valley is sponsored by the 270-member trade association, Napa Valley Vintners. The auction was begun in 1981 to showcase Napa wines and donate to local charities.

For the complete story, go to www.decanter.com (Hyperlink: http://www.decanter.com/news/86083.html)