AUCTION OF WASHINGTON WINES EVENT SERIES RETURNS THIS SUMMER WITH NEW FESTIVALS, CONCERTS & DINNERS New Benefit Concert, Jazz Festival and Rotating Winemaker Dinner Series Adds to Wine Celebrations
WHO: Auction of Washington Wines
WHAT: The region’s only charity event series focused on Washington State wine; celebration includes winemaker dinners, concerts, gourmet picnic, gala and more
WHEN: Select dates in August 2016 *Full details are provided below
WHERE: Various locations throughout Washington state
DETAILS: The Auction of Washington Wines announces its annual summer of events. Known as the region’s most prestigious charity wine event, the Auction of Washington Wines will feature events in different locations throughout the state, enticing guests to indulge in Washington’s premier wines. The Auction of Washington Wines’ is chaired by Frank and Charlene Blethen of The Seattle Times and Norm McKibben and Jean-Francois Pellet of Pepper Bridge Winery. Funds raised at the below events go towards uncompensated care, cancer clinical trials and autism services at Seattle Children’s Hospital and Viticulture and Enology Research at Washington State University.
Event information, including location and ticket prices, are listed below. For more details, visit www.auctionofwashingtonwines.org.
*NEW* Private Barrel Auction – Thursday, August 18, 2016 This trade-only event features exclusive tastings and live auctions of one-of-a-kind, limited wine futures from notable Washington State winemakers. The private barrel auction will be hosted at Novelty Hill-Januik Winery and Chateau Ste Michelle, prior to Picnic. The event offers a rare opportunity to acquire distinctive, exceptional lots not available elsewhere.
Picnic & Barrel Auction – Thursday, August 18, 2016 Returning to the beautiful Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery in Woodinville, Wash., the annual Picnic & Barrel Auction will feature myriad activities for all to enjoy. Participants will meet and greet over 100 Washington winemakers as they mingle among the crowd to pour tastings of their newest releases. Guests will enjoy bidding on some of Washington’s most coveted limited-release wines during the exciting Barrel Auction while indulging in gourmet picnic fare presented by the talented team from Tulalip Resort Casino. Tickets are $150 per person.
Winemaker Dinner Series – Friday, August 19, 2016 These intimate dinners will be held at private estates around the Puget Sound. Patrons can experience the company of Washington winemakers whose wines are paired exquisitely with a gourmet meal created by the regions’ most well-renowned chefs. Tickets to these exclusive private dinners are $500. Additional giving opportunities will be offered at the dinners.
Columbia Winery Charity 10K Run and 5K Run & Walk – Saturday, August 20, 2016 The 9th Annual Columbia Winery Charity 10K Run and 5K Run & Walk welcomes participants to join 1,400 other runners and walkers at 8:30 a.m. at Columbia Winery in Woodinville. Entry fees are $30 through July 31, $35 through August 1-17, and $40 day of race. Day of race registration begins at 7 a.m. at Columbia Winery. For additional information, visit www.runforchildrens.org.
The Winemaker Gala – Saturday, August 20, 2016 The 29th Anniversary Winemaker Gala will be held on the grounds of Chateau Ste. Michelle. Guests will enjoy a five course meal prepared by some of the area’s finest chefs. Each table will be hosted by a Washington winemaker who will pair and pour wines from their collection. The evening will feature live and silent auctions. Seating is limited and this event has sold out for the past several years. Tickets are $500 per person and are available on the website now.
About the Auction of Washington Wines Since its inception in 1988, the Auction of Washington Wines has raised more than $34 million, with a majority benefitting uncompensated care at Seattle Children’s Hospital. This distinguished event gives wine lovers the chance to help the Washington wine industry bridge a critical funding gap for children across the region. The 2016 Auction of Washington Wines will take place August 18-20, 2016. Co-chairs are Frank and Charlene Blethen of The Seattle Times and Norm McKibben and Jean-François Pellet of Pepper Bridge winery. Major sponsors have included Chateau Ste. Michelle, Holland America Line, John L. Scott Foundation, King 5 TV, Seattle Magazine, Tulalip Resort Casino, Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card, and Wine Spectator. www.auctionofwashingtonwines.org.
About Seattle Children’s Hospital Consistently ranked as one of the best children’s hospitals in the country by U.S. News & World Report, Children’s serves as the pediatric and adolescent academic medical referral center for the largest landmass of any children’s hospital in the country (Washington, Alaska, Montana and Idaho). For more than 100 years, Children’s has been delivering superior patient care and advancing new treatments through pediatric research. Children’s serves as the primary teaching, clinical and research site for the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Washington School of Medicine. The hospital works in partnership with Seattle Children’s Research Institute and Seattle Children’s Hospital Foundation. Together they are Seattle Children’s, known for setting new standards in superior patient care for more than 100 years. www.seattlechildrens.org.
About Washington State University’s Viticulture & Enology Program
The Washington State University Viticulture and Enology Program aims to strengthen the quality and reputation of the Washington wine industry. Proceeds from the Auction of Washington Wines fund research within the program.
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Media Contacts: Emma Wilson Public Relations, GreenRubino 206.452.8167 emmaw@greenrubino.com
Sherri Swingle Executive Director, Auction of Washington Wines 206.326.5747 sswingle@washingtonwine.org