(YN) - Auction Napa Valley — the hottest event in the winemaking world — brought in a record high of $18.7 million this year for a variety of local charities. Inside an ineffectively air conditioned tent on the grounds of Meadowood Napa Valley resort in St. Helena, California, however, water was a more precious commodity than wine.

It was as if bidders were waving their paddles just to stay cool. Attendees bid on everything from world cruises in privately owned mega-yachts ($250,000) to Oscar party passes ($420,000). One winner walked away with dinner reservations with Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis for $150,000. Another paid $240,000 for the chance to meet Heidi Klum. This year’s top bid of $600,000 was for a founding membership at Promontory — Bill Harlan’s next winery, which doesn’t yet exist.

“It’s crazy — people are buying ideas,” remarked California’s Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom, founder of PlumpJack and Odette and Cade wineries, who was on hand to witness his offering of a vacation package to Napa and Tuscany sell for $150,000. “But it’s all for a good cause."