LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Wine Auction crossed a milestone with its event on Saturday, Sept. 21.

Early in an evening of highly competitive bidding, the total raised in the 14 years of this event easily topped the $1 million mark.

Going into the auction, the 13-year total was $991,302, so it took only nine items before the total passed the “magic” number.

Welcoming people to the event, held at the Cole Creek Equestrian Center, Wine Auction President Kaj Ahlmann reminded them that the focus of the event was to support the young people who represent the future of Lake County.

Honorary Co-Chairs John and Joanne Van Eck, the equestrian center's owners, worked tirelessly to transform their unique facility into a magical place, which many in attendance feel contributed to the high energy atmosphere and high bidding.

While it will be several weeks before the final figures are known, preliminary indications are that the event will be judged a huge success, according to auction officials.

In 2012, $96,000 was distributed to the beneficiaries and the auction committee expects that this year's recedes could be equal to that or higher.

The high bid during this year's auction was $7,500 for a barbecue event for 15 people at Congressman Mike Thompson's ranch in Finley.

The second highest was $6,000 for John Clarke's painting “The Country,” which provided the signature image for this year's event. The painting was purchased by Dirk and Karen Wooten of Clearlake.

Proceeds from the 14th annual Lake County Wine Auction will benefit the county's five area high schools along with 10 other charities and community organizations.

Representatives of these groups will receive their checks at a special reception in December at the Saw Shop Bistro in Kelseyville.

The Lake County Wine Auction would like to thank this year's premium sponsors: American Ag Credit, Beckstoffer Vineyards, Calpine, Mendo Lake Credit Union, Kathy Fowler Chevrolet and Six Sigma Vineyard and Winery.

These and the event's other sponsors cover the costs of the event so that all the money raised from ticket sales and the auction can go directly to the auction's beneficiaries.