Inside the angular glow of the Audrey Irmas Pavilion, the One Drop Gala unfolds as an orchestrated play of wine, generosity, and creative spirit. The atmosphere builds as Cirque du Soleil artists suspend the room in wonder, followed by dynamic performances from Kevin Woo and Ty Dolla $ign that shift the energy from ethereal to magnetic.
As the evening settles into its rhythm, the wines emerge as characters of their own, rare, expressive, and chosen with intention. Each bottle carries a story that stretches far beyond its label: landscapes shaped by time, vintages born of intuition, and craftsmanship honed across continents. From Chile’s visionary “place of gold” to the deep-rooted vineyards of Tuscany, from the sacred hills of Burgundy to the grand châteaux of Bordeaux, every glass adds a new layer to the night’s narrative. These selections do more than complement the meal; they frame the experience. They invite guests into a dialogue between terroir and imagination, offering tastes that are as transporting as the performances themselves and as purposeful as the cause at the heart of the Gala.
From the Chilean valley known as the “place of gold,” VIK emerges as a vivid expression of imagination born of its unique landscape. Alex and Carrie Vik’s visionary estate blends architecture, sustainability, and high-altitude precision into one expression. The VIK 2021 vintage, one of the evening’s highlights, unfolds in layers: vibrant red and black fruits with a hint of cracked pepper and subtle notes of blue flowers. On the palate, it delivers refined energy with polished tannins, minerality, and an ethereal finish.
After the high-altitude elegance of VIK, the journey moves to Tuscany, where Sacred Love 2021 from Sting and Trudie Styler’s Il Palagio offers a contrasting yet equally interesting story. Crafted by master winemaker Riccardo Cotarella, the limited-edition Merlot carries the rhythm of the land in every sip. Aromas of violets, blackberry, slate, and dark earth rise from the glass, anchored by long, silky tannins. Full-bodied yet refined, Sacred Love is a collector’s wine imbued with history and heart, elevating the evening’s tasting into a rare and unforgettable experience.

“Access to safe water is one of the most fundamental human rights, yet it remains out of reach for far too many people around the world. The work that the One Drop Foundation is doing to change that is both vital and inspiring. We hope it helps raise significant funds for One Drop’s life-changing projects and reminds us all of the power of creativity and generosity to make a difference.”

– Trudie Styler & Sting

The evening Christie’s led auction brought its own rare treasures. A 2014 horizontal of three magnums from Domaine de la Romanée–Conti: La Tâche, Richebourg, and Romanée-St-Vivant, offered collectors a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own some of Burgundy’s most revered expressions. Complementing this was an exclusive Double Magnum of Château Margaux 2000, a 100-point First Growth hailed as one of the greatest vintages of modern Bordeaux, with layers of blackcurrant, violets, cedar, and graphite. Adding a unique harmony of music and craftsmanship, a handcrafted Paoletti electric bass guitar signed by Sting offered one lucky bidder the chance to own a one-of-a-kind instrument, its chestnut wood reclaimed from wine barrels at Il Palagio, fusing sound, history, and artistry.

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