It was 30 years ago this harvest that two young couples invited their friends to the Napa Valley to help pick grapes for their first crush. Working in 100-degree heat, they brought in the fruit — then crushed and froze it until the following spring, when Flora Springs Winery and Vineyards became a bonded winery with a license to make wine.

A bottle of wine sold at the first Napa Valley Wine Auction, held June 21, 1981, remains unopened.

Some time ago, a clever fellow purchased a spanking, new Corvette with a brilliant idea. He would build a small house around the car and 20 years later, he would knock the house down and, voila, he would have a brand new, 20-year-old car that he could sell in mint condition for big bucks.

Back Room Wines bids farewell to its home of six years at 974 Franklin St. on June 6, and on June 9 it opens its doors at “a big, grand, new wine shop and wine bar” at First and Main streets. Back Room Wines will be open seven days a week.

Online bidding opens today for Auction Napa Valley 2008 at  www.napavintners.com.

The Napa Valley Grapegrowers bestowed its top award, Grower of the Year, to longtime Napa Valley grower Lee Hudson at the organization’s 33rd Annual Dinner May 16.

The original idea for the Napa Valley Wine Auction began with a concept to raise money for local charities.