Wrapping up a national promotional tour, spirits brand Chopin auctioned what it billed as the largest bottle of vodka ever produced at Julien's Auction, an entertainment memorabilia specialist, at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino Las Vegas. Proceeds from the June 26 event benefited the Grammy Foundation.
Following the auction—where four large bars served Chopin cocktails—Chopin hosted a party, also at Planet Hollywood, where the eye-catching bottle was on display. The seven-foot tall, 200-liter, hand-blown glass bottle was created to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Frederic Chopin's birth and is a replica of the vodka brand's signature bottle.
It traveled around the country following its debut on the red carpet at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival in February. While at the fest, celebs including Sandra Bullock, Kathryn Bigelow, Forest Whitaker, James Cameron, Emily Blunt, Kirk Douglas, Quentin Tarantino, Julianne Moore, Gabourey Sidibe, and Maggie Gyllenhaal autographed the bottle, which also collected additional notable signatures while on tour.
The brand guaranteed a minimum donation of $50,000 to the Grammy Foundation—more than twice the winning bid of $23,750. “Chopin Vodka has always been a serious sponsor of the arts. This partnership with the Grammy Foundation is another example of how committed we are to supporting initiatives that align with our brand,” said Chopin brand manager Guillaume Grillon, who oversaw the event.
"Not only the event in itself but the whole 200-liter Chopin bottle national tour was indeed a great fit for the brand," Grillon said. "The bottle, along with the Grammy Foundation angle, allowed Chopin to get press exposure, which is obviously one of our marketing goals: raising the awareness of the brand with the general public."