Riding the wave of popularity as the nation's best known celebrity host, Ryan Seacrest has been invited to serve as celebrity emcee for 2006 Auction Napa Valley, auction officials announced today.

Seacrest holds down top posts in the worlds of broadcast television, nationally syndicated radio, local radio and cable. He is already celebrated internationally as host of the top-rated primetime talent showcase "American Idol" and the world's most popular radio countdown show, "American Top 40." He has also been filling in on "Larry King Live."

"He's a huge wine nut," noted Stacey Dolan Capitani, staff director of Napa Valley Vintners' long-running charity wine event. "He contacted us and said he wanted to do it."

Auction excitement is building for the June 1-4 event as tickets went on sale this week for the live Saturday night wine auction and events leading up to it.

Chaired this year by the Cakebread wine family, the 2006 auction will feature, among other things, rare and one-of-a-kind lots at the main event, Saturday evening's live auction, as well as extended bidding hours at the popular barrel auction and a new twist on the e-auction.

This year the e-auction will open for viewing and pre-bidding online as of May 19 when wine lovers across the globe will be able to log on and bid on e-auction lots.

Additionally, a new Saturday morning open house event has been added to the schedule. Full package ticket holders will be invited to Copia for breakfast, cooking demonstrations and wine tasting with vintners.

Also, for the first time, new ticket package options will be available. While all-access tickets are $7,500 per couple and offer admission to the full range of auction weekend events, this year wine lovers are able to purchase single tickets for Saturday night's live auction for $3,500 per couple, or tickets for a full day of activities on Friday -- including the Friday Festival and an evening hospitality event -- for $3,500 per couple.

Festival repeats

After a successful inaugural year, the Friday Auction & Festival featuring "Pride in Season" returns to Trinchero Family Estates on June 2, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The event will feature wineries pouring their latest releases; top Napa restaurants and local specialty food purveyors; live entertainment; barrel tasting and auction of 107 lots; plus an e-auction featuring 52 lots comprised of rare wine and wine collections.

A total of 1,200 single tickets to the Friday event can be purchased for $200 per person, and all ticket holders are eligible to bid on either the barrel or e-auctions.

Auction schedule

Attendees at this year's auction will attend private hospitality events on Thursday night, June 1, hosted by participating wineries.

On June 2, it's Friday Festival and Auction -- featuring "Pride in Season," foods served by a wealth of area chefs and caterers -- as well as the barrel and e-auctions. In the evening, there are private evening hospitality events hosted by wineries.

New for June 3, is Good Morning Napa, featuring cooking demos, wine tasting with vintners at Copia. The centerpiece of Auction Napa Valley, Saturday night's live main event, held at Meadowood Napa Valley, will feature 60 truly exceptional lots. The auction will be followed by the Party -- a walk-around fete featuring celebrity chef cooking demonstrations, live music, dancing and the best wines from Napa Valley.

On June 4, there will be winery open houses throughout Napa Valley.

Now in its seventh decade, the Napa Valley Vintners non-profit trade association is the sole organization responsible for promoting and protecting the Napa Valley Appellation as a wine producing region.

Auction Napa Valley, an annual event of the Napa Valley Vintners, has generated more than $62 million dollars since 1981 for a host of nonprofits in the Napa Valley.

For more information or tickets, log onto www.napavintners.com.