“This is a huge win for both Duckhorn Wine Company and Kosta Browne,” said Alex Ryan, president and CEO of Napa-based Duckhorn Wine Company, in the press release announcing the deal. The purchase was expected to close in August, terms of the deal were not released. The purchase of Kosta Browne will not include CIRQ, which was founded, and continues to be owned, by Michael Browne. The Kosta Browne team will remain with the winery, including CEO Scott Becker and winemaker Nico Cueva. The sale included the company, the winery, inventory and all assets including 170 acres of vineyards either owned or secured through long-term leases that include Cerise Vineyard in the Anderson Valley and sections of Keefer Ranch Vineyard in the Russian River Valley and Gap’s Crown Vineyard in the Sonoma Coast. Napa, Calif.-Duckhorn Wine Company announced its planned acquisition of Kosta Browne Wines on July 17. 7 that included estate, library wines of CIRQ in mixed formats. The auction’s top wine-only lot was winemaker Michael Browne’s Lot No. The lot sold for $460,000 with 46 couples each paying $10,000. The event's top lot was submitted by the auction's honoary chair, George Hamel Jr., and included a private concert by the jazz legend Vince Guaraldi. “Every year the proceeds raised by our auction benefit local nonprofit organizations that support our community’s most pressing needs.” “We are thrilled with the results of this year’s auction and are grateful to our generous bidders, wine community, sponsors, donors, and volunteers for their support and participation in this event,” said Michael Haney, Sonoma County Vintners executive director in a statement released by the group. Paradise Ridge winery was destroyed in the October 2017 wildfires. 22, and was the culmination of a three-day event in Sonoma County, which also included a revival-themed kick-off party at Paradise Ridge and several vintner dinners hosted throughout the county. The live auction was held at La Crema Estate at Saralee’s Vineyard on Sept. The Fund-A-Need paddle raise, dedicated to raising funds for Sonoma County housing solutions, raised $2.5 million. Santa Rosa, Calif.-The Sonoma County Vintners Foundation raised more than $5.7 million at the 2018 Sonoma County Wine Auction.