'Historic' Sotheby's wine auction to benefit Holy Cross

Sotheby"s calls it an "extraordinary" event in the world of wine.   Influential wine critic Robert M. Parker, Jr., says it is an act "of generosity and nobility at its finest."

On Saturday, Nov. 18 in New York City, through the auspices of Sotheby's and Aulden Cellars, Park B. Smith '54, Trustee and longtime benefactor of the College of the Holy Cross, will sell approximately 14,000 bottles of wine from his collection—acclaimed as one of the greatest cellars in the world.

The sale is expected to bring at least $3-5 million, the proceeds of which will go to Holy Cross for the construction or restoration of the College's athletics facilities.

"I feel that I owe much of my success to my experience at Holy Cross and feel strongly that education is one of the most important things in life," said Smith when the auction was announced in mid-September.  " I think that each of us has an obligation to give back to others, and if I can do that here, that's my goal."

For more information, visit http://search.sothebys.com/images/home/flash/parkBsmith/index.html You’ll find all the sale information, a PDF of the catalogue as well and the link to a mini-site about the auction.

A cover story on Park B. Smith was published in the Fall issue of Holy Cross Magazine, featuring exclusive photographs of his wine cellar in the Lakeville, Conn., home he shares with his wife Linda.  Read the story at http://www.holycross.edu/departments/publicaffairs/hcm/fall06/features/feature1.html