Story | Leslie Yip Photography | Legacy Cellar Foundation
Scores and awards, vintage reports, wine auctions and sometimes, hype. There are so many driving forces for wine enthusiasts to expand their collection, and the thrill of the hunt is often exhilarating. But what becomes
of the bottles once they settle in the cellar?
This 27-litre bottle of 2003 Sine Qua Non The Inaugural Syrah helped raise $3 million for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital in the U.S. The wine was the first Syrah made entirely from the Sine Qua Non’s Eleven Confessions vineyard and this Goliath bottle is one of a kind.
Often, wine enthusiasts are focused on accumulating wine, yet these collections are often not considered during estate planning. When there are more bottles than any person or their heirs might consume in a lifetime, and passing the collection to family members may not be the most desirable outcome, The Legacy Cellar Foundation can help.
This new donor-advised fund allows wine connoisseurs to convert their curated collections into game-changing gifts for the charities and causes they are passionate about. Based in the U.S., they also serve collectors in Canada.
Garth Hodgdon (left), director of Legacy Cellar Foundation, poses with Robert M. Parker, Jr., who generously donated the Goliath bottle at the foundation’s inaugural fundraising event.
Donors can decide which charity they want to support, as well as the timing of their donation—whether at bequest, prior, or a scheduled combination. The foundation will walk them through the process, including
paperwork and potential tax benefits.
Director Garth Hodgdon, who is one of the foremost experts in the wine industry, sees The Legacy Cellar Foundation as a heretofore untapped resource to convert wine collections into charitable donations—bringing a previously untapped source of funding to the philanthropic sector.
He is an Advanced Sommelier, who has served as the head sommelier at Thomas Keller’s Bouchon Bistro and been a key part of the wine program at Keller’s other Michelin-star restaurants—The French Laundry and Per Se. He has also served as American ambassador for Krug Champagne.
A wine collection can be a substantial investment, but it is frequently overlooked in estate planning.
“Through our innovative model, and by leveraging our deep relationships in the wine world, we are able to garner top dollar for your collection,” says Hodgdon.
“Because we are a non-profit organization, we do not charge the steep fees traditionally associated with wine auctions or wine consignment, allowing 100 per cent of your wine’s value to flow directly through to the causes of your choosing.
The foundation does not charge the steep fees traditionally associated with wine auctions or wine consignment
“Traditionally, many charities cannot accept unique, asset-based gifts because they do not have the capacity or expertise to liquidate them,” Hodgdon explains. “Our team conducts wine inventory, authentication and liquidation of cellar donations. We aim to generate maximum value for donation.”
Legacy Cellar already has plans for more philanthropic events
Unlike other institutions that charge fees for this service, 100 per cent of the proceeds goes directly to the pre-selected causes.
In May 2022, the foundation held its inaugural event—A Goliath 60th Celebration—in support of the 60th anniversary of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis. The centrepiece of the evening was a massive 27-litre bottle of 2003 Sine Qua Non The Inaugural Syrah, a priceless 100-point wine and the only bottle of its
kind in the world. It was equivalent to 36 standard bottles of wine and weighed an estimated 134 pounds.
The intimate, unprecedented affair was held at a private residence in Bel Air, Calif with 60 St. Jude supporters making a suggested donation of $30,000 per seat to experience the extraordinarily rare Syrah, which was generously donated by Robert M. Parker, Jr., widely considered the world’s most influential wine critic.
Garth Hodgdon says: “Through our innovative model, and by leveraging our deep relationships in the wine world, we are able to garner top dollar for your collection.”
The unicorn bottle of wine was paired with a dinner prepared by Nancy Silverton, a James Beard award-winning chef. Following the dinner, iconic ’80s rock star Rick Springfield performed some of his greatest hits. The Legacy Cellar Foundation made it possible to donate 100 per cent of the proceeds of the value of the wine to St.
Jude, and the event raised more than $3 million in total.
Legacy Cellar already has plans for more philanthropic events as it continues its mission to enable greater positive impact and ensure curated wine collections are enjoyed by future enthusiasts. To gain access to these exclusive events and receive first notice of new cellars becoming available, wine lovers can join the free exclusive Legacy Insider club at legacycellar.org.
