The Auction of Washington Wines announces its 2014 lineup of events over Memorial Day Weekend and August 14-16, 2014. Regarded as one of the region’s most prestigious charity wine events, 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’ co-chairs are Marty and Megan Clubb of L’Ecole N° 41 winery. and Frank and Charlene Blethen of The Seattle Times. Funds raised at the below events go towards uncompensated care 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 information, please visit www.auctionofwashingtonwines.org/events/.
Revelry – Saturday, May 24 & Sunday, May 25, 2014
Over Memorial Day Weekend, guests will join 20 notable winemakers for a beautiful evening on Red Mountain. On Saturday, guests will mingle with the winemakers and taste gourmet fare on the terrace at Col Solare and have the opportunity to bid on exciting silent auction items; all while enjoying the panoramic views of Red Mountain, the Horse Heaven Hills and Yakima Valley.
And, for the second year, you can enjoy the Guided Walking Vineyard Tour on Sunday with some of Red Mountain’s most recognized growers. Guests will learn about the terroir unique to one of Washington’s most awarded AVAs. Click on the video above for a behind-the-scenes peek during last year’s vineyard tour.
Top photos: Revelry on Red Mountain is a chance to savor local wines and gourmet food. Bottom photo: Scott Williams of Kiona Vineyards leads the group through a block of old vine Cabernet Sauvignon.
Following the tour on Sunday evening guests will participate in a Winemaker Dinner series held at select wineries in the Tri-Cities area. Tickets are $95 per person for Saturday, $195 for both events. Tickets for the Winemaker Dinner series will only be available to guests that purchase a ticket for the Saturday event and will be in limited supply, with accommodations for 10 to 16 people. Weekend hotel packages will be available on the website.
Top photo, left to right: Participating in last year’s vineyard tours on Red Mountain were Dr. Thomas Henick-Kling, Director of Viticulture & Enology at Washington State University with Patricia and David Gelles, founding owners of Klipsun Vineyards. Bottom photo: Guests on the vineyard tour gathered around the gazebo at Klipsun Vineyards to sample wines.
Top photo: Jim Holmes of Ciel du Cheval Vineyard. Top right: Sarah Goedhart, assistant winemaker at Hedges Family Estate and wine consultant to a host of Red Mountain wineries.
Picnic & Barrel Auction – Thursday, August 14, 2014
At the beautiful Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery in Woodinville, Wash., the Picnic & Barrel Auction will feature activities for all to enjoy. Participants will meet and greet Washington winemakers as they mingle among the crowd to pour tastings of their newest and oldest 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 of chefs from Tulalip Resort Casino. Annual highlights of these food offerings include a tent devoted to cheese and a themed dessert station. Tickets are $125 per person; $150 for early access to the Barrel Auction. Picnic blankets are $1,250 and include eight tickets with a reserved table and seating area in a prime location.
Winemaker Dinner Series – Friday, August 15, 2014
These intimate dinners will be held at private estates throughout 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. Seating at these dinners is limited. Tickets are $250 per person.
Columbia Winery Charity 10K Run and 5K Run & Walk – Saturday, August 16, 2014
The 8th 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. Registration begins May 1 at www.runforchildrens.org.
The Wine Gala – Saturday, August 16, 2014
The 27th Anniversary Wine Gala will be held on the grounds of Chateau Ste. Michelle. Guests will enjoy a six-course meal prepared by some of the area’s finest chefs. Each table will be hosted by a Washington state winemaker who will pair and pour wines from their collection. Entertainment will include nationally renowned auctioneers Ursula Hermacinski and Fritz Hatton and performances by composer, director and performer Rich Gray, plus live and silent auctions. Seating at the Wine Gala is limited. Tickets are $500 per person.
Tickets for all events will be available online at www.auctionofwashingtonwines.org beginning April 1, 2014.
About the Auction of Washington Wines
Since its inception in 1988, the Auction of Washington Wines has raised more than $30 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 Northwest. The 2014 Auction of Washington Wines will take place August 15-17, 2014. Co-chairs are Frank and Charlene Blethen of The Seattle Times and Marty and Megan Clubb of L’Ecole N° 41 winery.