The Auction of Washington Wines, now in its 27th season, kicks into full throttle this month for a three-day celebration of Washington State wine, offering a variety of events to wine and culinary lovers. This annual fundsraiser benefits Seattle Children’s Hospital and supports the winemakers of tomorrow through viticulture and enology research at WSU.
Thursday Winemakers Picnic & Barrel Auction
The festive Winemakers Picnic & Barrel Auction is on Thursday, August 14th, 2014 at the grounds of Chateau Ste Michelle. Nearly 70 wineries will be on hand pouring wine as guests chat it up with winemakers in this casual park-like setting.
The stellar culinary fare is one anticipated highlight of the picnic, with a one-of-a-kind menu specially created and served up by the chef team at the Tulalip Resort & Casino led by Executive Chef Perry Mascitti. Visit different food stations where generous gourmand samples are served such as rosemary Parma chard with smoked lamb carpaccio, pastrami salmon, lobster bisque shooters, smoked salmon salad nicoise, braised beef Wonton up, chicken Lorraine, brie tart, scallop ceviche salad, lobster solls, Muscovy duck confit sliders, and roasted pork “three ways.” Finish at pastry chef Nikol Nakamara’s desert station themed as “Christmas in August.” Here you’ll nibble on assorted Christmas cookies, croquembouche, pistachio and raspberry yule logs, mini sticky toffee pudding cakes and coconut cream Ppies.
Mosy over to the “game” section where you can spin the wheel to win fun prizes. Taste wines for four different terriors and learn from experts about the differences. Meet the winemakers of The Grape Killers, a group of several Woodinville winemakers with spirited personalities and wines with character.
The finale of the Picnic is the Barrel Auction, which features 22 wineries. The only barrel auction in the state, this is a great chance to talk with winemakers, taste wine straight from the barrel of a upcoming release, and bid to win a case of your favorite future release.
General Picnic & Barrel Auction tickets are $125 with access at 5pm and a commemorative glass. VIP Picnic & Barrel Auction tickets are $150 with access at 4pm and a commemorative glass.
Friday Winemaker Dinner Series
For those looking for an intimate and exclusive dinner event, ten winemaker dinners take place at the same time in multiple private estates around the Puget Sound on Friday, August 15th. Some dinners are sold out but those still available include “Red Mountain on the Water” hosted by Rob Angel at his Mercer Island home, featuring Hedges Family Estate and Ambassador Vineyards wines. “Perfect Pairs with Purple” is hosted at Bellevue Towers Condos with Two Vintners and Baer Winery wines, with chef Harry “Coach” Mills of Purple Café and Wine Bar. “Joining Forces” is hosted at the Lake Sammamish home of Craig Kinzer and features Sparkman Cellars, Avennia and Force Majeure wines with Chef Steven Snook. Tickets for these winemaker dinners are $250 and sell out fast.
Saturday Morning Columbia Winery Charity Run and Walk
Like to get your heart beating before wine tasting? The Columbia Winery Charity 10K Race and 5K Run/Walk & Kids Dash is an event for the whole family. Trek along a picturesque course in Woodinville wine country and afterwards savor great food and beverages, listen to music and more. Presented by the Run for Children’s Guild, proceeds support uncompensated care. More than 1,400 participants are anticipated to partake. Register at www.runforchildrens.org
Saturday Evening The Wine Gala
The Wine Gala is the most formal of the events. Starting at 5pm and held on the grounds of Chateau Ste. Michelle, don your favorite cocktail attire, sip wine, and browse through tables of unique auction lots that include many rare wine collections. Afterwards, take your seat at an assigned table with a winemaker host and enjoy a custom selection of wines from winemaker paired with a six-course dinner created by local chefs. This year, hand-passed hors d’oeuvres will be created by chefs: Josh Henderson of Hollywood Tavern, Eric Truglas of Semiahmoo Resort, Brian Scheehser of Trellis, Brett Teegardin of the Purple Café and Wine Bar in Woodinville, and Jake Crenshaw of Olive Catering.
For the seated six-course dinner, more chefs join the action. Each has been assigned to one of the dinner courses to make for an eclectic, broad, and uniquely northwest food and wine experience. Chef John Sarich and chef Janet Hedstrom of Chateau Ste. Michelle start with a chilled seafood mousse; chef Peter Birk of BOKA makes a salad of oxbow farm escarole, with local peaches and chèvre. Chef Paul Duncan of Ray’s Boathouse presents smoked sable fish with heirloom tomato, cucumber-daikon kimchi and miso glaze. Chef Roy Breiman of the Copperleaf Restaurant at Cedarbrook Lodge serves the first of two main courses, a butter poached “Mad Hatcher” chicken, and chef Perry Mascitti of the Tulalip Resort Casino follows with an alderwood smoked prime NY strip steak. Pastry chef Nikol Nakamura of the Tulalip Resort Casino completes the epicurean meal with her chocolate dessert display.
Spontaneously happening during the entire six-course meal is entertainment and presentations to the 2014 Honorary Vintner and Grower. This year’s Honorary Growers are Larry and Dick Olsen of the Olsen Brothers Vineyards. The Honorary Vintners are Tom and Anne-Marie Hedges of Hedges Family Estate.
Following is the live auction with an array of items up for bid including one-of-a-kind collectable wine lots, unique trips to destinations around the world and many more treasures to bid on.
The Wine Gala Tickets are $500 each.
More information on the 2014 Auction of Washington Wines can be found at www.auctionofwashingtonwines.com
Editors Note: Washington Tasting Room Magazine is a media partner of Auction of Washington Wines. Watch for our Face Book giveaway contest to win tickets to the Winemakers Picnic.