The rain Saturday didn’t dampen enthusiasm at the 12th annual Napa Valley Vintners’ Premiere auction, as bidders from 284 restaurants, wine shops and distributors spent more than $2.2 million, a new record, for wines handcrafted specifically for the event.

Gemstone, which rapidly rose to stardom as one of California’s renowned cult wines after its first release in 2000, has been sold.

WineSpirit will present “Raising Spirits: Art and Wine in East Asia,” featuring four sake tastings, on March 9 from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Harvest Room at Clos Pegase Winery.

Fred Franzia, the father of Two Buck Chuck, has been awarded the Entrepreneur of the 2000s Award by Richard Cartier’s Wine Market Report.

Good news for rosé lovers: Benessere has released its 2007 Estate Rosato, a blend of sangiovese and merlot. The 2006 Rosato knocked the socks off of tasters last year — and promptly sold out. Benessere winemaker Chris Dearden this year produced 350 cases of Rosato, which sells for $16 a bottle — and to quote Ronn Wiegand (on the 2006 vintage), “it’s a stunning wine.” Benessere is at 1010 Big Tree Road in St. Helena. Info, 963-5853.

Stave Wine Lounge celebrates its second anniversary tonight, beginning at 5 p.m., and highlights Portugal as its featured international region. Cost is $5, with bubbly and complimentary nibbles.

Web Tasting Room, a new video wine blog created by Web designer John Gavin, has made its debut. The Web site features an interview with a different winemaker each week, with Mia Klein discussing her 2006 Selene sauvignon blanc and 2003 Chesler Napa Valley the first week.

Gundlach Bundschu, in Sonoma County, celebrates its 150th anniversary on March 12 with what it calls “Deed Day.”

Many people rely heavily on the information on wine labels to help them in making a purchasing decision, but what if the consumer is sight-impaired?

If it offered but one important truth, last weekend’s winter auction for the wine trade clearly demonstrated that Napa Valley wines are getting better and better.