I attended Ursula's talk at the Women for WineSense conference this past May. Ursula was in rare form that day with her animated flair. She shared a delightful story of a time when she was starting out as an auctioneer in Milwaukee and how several men would motion their bid between their legs. This tale of sexism was completely disarming and the Women for WineSense audience was in hysterics. Ursula's ability to build instant repour and camaraderie is her talent.formerly the Director of Christie's West Coast Wine Department, currentlyholds the position of Executive Vice President for Premier On-Line Wine Auction House.

Ursula is the perfect example of a woman who fell into a line of work that she adores. In the world of auctioneering, she is highly recognized as an achiever, especially for being a success in a mostly male field.

Ursula is the first woman to head a wine auction department in America and she is the first woman ever to take the rostrum at the Napa Valley Wine Auction. Since her 1992 debut there, Ursula has become the most sought after auctioneer on the charity wine auction circuit. Yearly, she finds time to attend around 20 benefit wine auctions: the Central Coast Wine Classic; Salud! in Portland, Oregon; the Florida Wine Fest in Sarasota; the Atlanta High Museum of Art Wine Auction and the Napa Valley Vintner's Association Wine Auction; just to name a few.

Ursula joined Christie's in 1984 and soon directed the European Furniture and Decorative Arts department. She moved to California in 1989 to facilitate Christie's coast to coast business and was quickly enchanted with California and fine wine. At the time, Christie's wine department was operating only out of Chicago and came to Los Angeles twice a year to hold wine auctions with which Ursula assisted as auctioneer.

Ursula subsequently set up a brand new wine auction operation for Christie's New York. Along with Zachys, their retail partner, Christie's New York Wine department holds a myriad of wine auction record prices. Ursula brought down the hammer on the most expensive case of 1945 Chateau Mouton ever sold at an auction for $112,000. It was the first time a case of wine had ever sold for more than $100,000.

The new Beverly Hills Gallery was put into action in late June of '98. The highlight of this auction was an offering of a rare and highly prized Burgundy. A case of Comaine de la Romanee-Conti, 1990 brought a final bid of $48,300! More historic rarities included a magnum of 1870 Chateau Lafite, which closed at $16,100, and a lone bottle of 1921 Chateau' Y'quem made a record at $4,715. After the final tally, $2.3 million was raised at this sale. This tells you something about Ursula's auctioneering skill.

In a free moment, there is every possibility that Ursula is spending time with some of her favorite organizations such as Les Dames d'Escoffier, Women for WinesSense, the International Wine & Food Society and the American Institute of Wine and Food.

By Bev Brock-Alexander