The Auction of Washington Wines raised just over $4 million for charity during a three-day soiree Aug. 14 to 16 in Woodinville, bringing together winemakers and consumers for a weekend of great food, wine and lively bidding. Since its debut in 1988, Auction of Washington Wines has raised over $72 million. This year marked the fourth consecutive time the total was more than $4 million—last year’s event raised $4.25 million. The money raised goes to beneficiaries Seattle Children’s Hospital, Washington State University’s Viticulture and Enology program and industry grant partner Vital Wines, which provides healthcare and other resources to vineyard workers.
“I am deeply grateful to our wineries, donors and community for their generosity, which ensures a lasting impact for Seattle Children’s, WSU’s Viticulture & Enology department and Vital Wines,” said Jamie Peha, executive director of the auction, in a statement.
The weekend of festivities was highlighted by two days of bidding. On Aug. 15, Chateau Ste. Michelle hosted the Winemaker Picnic and Barrel Auction for more than 1,000 guests. Attendees sampled small bites from local chefs and wines from top local wineries. The Barrel Auction raised $125,500, as 35 wineries offered 175 exclusive lots of aging wines. The top lots were from Upchurch Vineyard, which sold two cases at $1,600 and $1,500, Dossier Wine Collective, which sold one at $1,500, and Cairdeas Winery, which sold one at $1,400. The winning bidders received the winery’s barrel head in addition to their wine.
Star Vintner Power
The gala live auction kicked off at the Hyatt Bellevue on Aug. 16 with honorary chair and actor Kyle MacLachlan of local winery Pursued By Bear addressing the crowd. “It’s a joy to come together tonight to celebrate this community,” he said. “We are stronger together than as individuals. That’s the way we do things in the Washington wine world, we support each other.”
Auctioneers Fred Northup Jr. and Matt Lorch led the spirited live auction and online bidding after the gala’s reception and dinner. The top lot, offered by MacLachlan and Pursued By Bear, included wine and a 5-night stay in Bordeaux with MacLachlan. The winning bidder will also visit and take private tours of Château Margaux, Château Lynch Bages, Château Haut-Bailly and Château d’Yquem. The lot sold for $140,000.
Another top lot was sold by Marchese Antinori for $90,000. The owner of Col Solare in Washinton’s Red Mountain and Antinori in Napa Valley offered a guided visit of each winery with Antinori’s chief enologist and CEO Renzo Cotarella, as well as veteran Washington winemaker Bob Betz.
During a paddle raise, auction patrons Stuart and Susan Kuehne made a $250,000 gift, a record donation. Multiple $100,000 gifts followed to loud applauses in the room. In total, the Gala raised over $3 million. “I have been involved with the Auction of Washington Wines in different capacities since 2001,” said Jean-François Pellet of Pepper Bridge Winery and Amavi Cellars, this year’s honorary vintner. “The feel in the room at the Gala was quite electric, everyone had so much fun, and the final results proved it.”
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