Seattle, WA – The Auction of Washington Wines (AWW) marked another historic year after hosting its first hybrid auction event. Through fundraising events over the past year, which includes the week-long online auction from Auust 10-14 and galas held across Woodinville on Saturday, Aug. 14, AWW has raised a total of $2,220,720. Proceeds benefit Seattle Children’s Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic and Uncompensated Care, Washington State University Viticulture and Enology Program research and the AWW Industry Grant program.
Top auction lots of the Gala included “The Other Wine Country” — a deluxe three-night, wine-centric trip to Napa Valley fetching $50,000; “Buyer’s Choice – Country or Rock!”— a $44,000 auction lot that was doubled in the final seconds of auctioning to give two winning bidders a choice of tickets to either Coachella Valley or Stagecoach Music & Arts Festivals; and “Spring Sailing in the South of France” — an eight-day Rhone River Cruise with Northwest Travel including Chef In the Hat’s Thierry Rautreau, Kerry Shiels of Côte Bonneville and Jeff Lindsay-Thorsen of W.T. Vintners, that went for $35,000.
“We are consistently touched by the outpouring of encouragement the auction receives from the Washington wine industry and its supporters,” said AWW executive director Jamie Peha. “Our Gala co-chairs, industry partners, sponsors, board of directors and auction team and partners rose to the occasion to bring an even higher caliber of auction lots this year. Although we wish we could have reconvened in full, we knew a hybrid event was the best decision for all parties, and we have come to look forward to folks tuning into the virtual events from around the world. Still, we revel in anticipation knowing we are one step closer to gathering together for our 35th anniversary milestone in 2022!”
AWW was pleased to host over 700 participants in this year’s online and virtual auctions. Approximately 375 guests attended in person at the three mini-Galas hosted at Chateau Ste. Michelle, Maryhill Winery and The Winemakers Reserve in Woodinville.
The auction also brought Saturday evening’s festivities to attendees’ homes by offering a “Gala-in-a-Box” package featuring dinner made by esteemed local chefs Joshua Beckham of The FogRose Collective and Chia Ling (Amy) Tung of FogRose Atelier, accompanied by a bottle of sparkling wine.
About the Auction of Washington Wines (AWW)
Since its inception in 1988, AWW has raised more than $54 million, benefiting Seattle Children’s, Washington State University Viticulture & Enology Research and the AWW Industry Grant program. AWW’s mission is to support the growth and awareness of the Washington state wine industry through a series of celebrated events benefiting the community. Washington Tasting Room Magazine has been a media partner supporting this fundraiser for 11 consecutive years, including the 2021 season of events. For more information, visit www.AuctionofWaWines.org.