(NBBJ) - Bloom may be still a few weeks away for local winegrape vines, but economic conditions for the industry’s key consumers appear to be in full bloom, given the record-fast sellout of tickets to the upcoming 33rd annual Auction Napa Valley fundraiser (auctionnapavalley.org) May 30–June 2 and brimming guest logs at area hotels, according to organizers.

About 2,000 tickets were sold for the opening of the barrel auction at Raymond Vineyards on May 31 and about 800 the following day for the live auction and festivities at Meadowood Napa Valley resort.

“It’s a great sign for everyone,” said Linda Reiff, executive director of Napa Valley Vintners, a St. Helena-based trade group that organizes the auction. The ticket sellout in April was the earliest in the event’s history, she said.

A number of the largest local hotels have told the association they are booked up for the weekend.