If two-plus decades of incredible successes are the model, then the upcoming 23rd annual Napa Valley Wine Auction should register yet another fiscal triumph.

Benefiting area health care, youth and housing efforts, the world's largest wine auction has racked up more than $40 million for charity since its inception in 1981.

Vagaries of the current economy aside, the 2003 Napa Valley Wine Auction is expected to bring additional revenue to dozens of programs countywide. Whether it will be as successful as last year's event -- where $6.12 million was distributed -- is anybody's guess.

That is unless you ask this year's co-chair, Bob Trinchero, who says he's "quite optimistic" about the bottom line at the June 7 event.

"We did well in both 2001 and 2002, and they were the worst years (of the current economic slump)," Trinchero noted.

"But (Federal Reserve chairman Alan) Greenspan said (Wednesday) that the economy is ready to roar back. He said consumers are ready to spend, although industry has been slow on the uptake.

"I have it on good authority that come June 1 people will be ready to spend. What is that authority? Well, it's my Ouija board."

The Trinchero family -- namely siblings Bob, Roger and Vera Torres Trinchero and Bob's wife, Evalyn -- is heading up this year's charity wine event. Evalyn Trinchero is working with designer Joe Cunningham on the visuals for this June's auction at Meadowood Resort.

Although auction paddles haven't been snapped up as briskly as in good economic times, Bob Trinchero reports the auction is close to selling out. It accommodates approximately 650 bidders and guests, plus media, with attendance totaling close to 1,800 people. Local volunteers, who work on the auction year 'round, number close to 1,000.

Una noche encantada

One of the selling points for attendance at the annual party staged by the Napa Valley Vintners Association is that for three to four days the country's best known winegrowing region becomes the site of the best party in the nation.

Here's what the trade group promised attendees this year: "With Napa as your stage, step back to the Golden Age with its romantic supper clubs, where tango met mambo, and where fiesta was infused with music, passion and wine.

"Fill your cups and salute this magical age at 'The Last of the Red Hot Night Clubs -- Copa de Napa!'"

Pre-auction festivities kick off Thursday, June 5 at the Trinchero Family Estates winery on Highway 29, just south of downtown St. Helena. Here attendees will get an opportunity to view the lots offered at Saturday's live auction. They'll also be able to taste offerings in this year's barrel auction and begin the bidding process on those special lots. The Napa Valley Marketplace will feature both food and wines from area chefs and vintners, all to the tune of a steel band called The Harmonics.

That evening, three dozen hospitality events will play host to bidders and guests, with whoop-de-dos ranging from black tie dinners with classical entertainment to a Cuba-themed dinner wrapping up with rhumba dancing under the stars. Most of the events are planned with Latin culinary and musical themes.

A like number of informal luncheons and tastings are scheduled for auctiongoers in the late morning and early afternoon Friday, June 6.

On Friday evening, a Baile en Los Viñedos will feature dinner under the giant white tent erected on the fairway at Meadowood Resort in St. Helena. Acclaimed Florida chef Mark Militello is in charge of this traditional vintners dinner menu. Helping make this "una nocha encantada" will be music for dancing provided by the Pete Escovedo Latin Jazz Orchestra as well as Tito Garcia's 11-piece mambo band.

Come Saturday morning, June 7, auctiongoers will arrive at Pride of Napa Valley, a midday walkaround repast where some four dozen area chefs serve up favorite dishes, accompanied by a wealth of wines from association members. Music for this event will be provided by the Napa Valley's Mariachi Tarasco de Lorenzo Sandoval.

Gavel for the 2003 wine auction comes down shortly after noon, with bidding expected to wrap up as usual around 6 p.m. The Saturday night alfresco banquet is being planned by Jeff Starr, executive chef for Trinchero Family Estates. Music for the dinner will come from an eight-piece combo fronted by Jorge Santana, brother of renowned songwriter/guitarist Carlos Santana.

On Sunday, around two dozen wineries have scheduled open houses for those attending this year's auction.

Trinchero and his committee feel the upbeat theme and economic indicators on the upswing will translate to this year's auction doing well financially. "We've had two years of cautiousness," says the event co-chair. "I think we're going to see a lot of spirited bidding and smiling faces."

For additional auction information or for ticket requests, contact the Napa Valley Vintners Association online at www.napavintners.com, and click on the auction link.