The Auction of Washington Wines kicks into full gear with a three-day celebration of Washington State wine, offering several events to tickle the taste buds and palates of wine and culinary lovers. This annual fundraiser benefits Seattle Children’s Hospital and supports the winemakers of tomorrow through viticulture and enology research at WSU. Kicking off the celebration is The Winemakers Picnic & Barrel Auction with details below.
Thursday August 13, 2015 The Winemakers Picnic & Barrel Auction
This stellar outdoor event provides guests the opportunity to meet with over 100 Washington winemakers, sample succulent food skillfully prepared by the Chefs of Tulalip Resort Casino overseen by Executive Chef Perry Mascitti, taste barrel samples and bid on future lots of wine, and listen to live entertainment on the manicured lawns at Chateau Ste. Michelle winery in Woodinville. General admission tickets are $150.
Tasting Room Magazine Tip: Head straight for the food tents for your taste buds to be transported across the USA with food bites from this year’s theme “American Bounty Regional Picnic 2015.” The line-up includes:
New Mexico El Rancho (Presented by Cedars Restaurant Chef Brent Clarkson)
Tequila Chili Braised Lamb Tostada with lime radish slaw, avocado crème, habanero sauce.
Hawaiian Luau Picnic (Presented by Journeys East Restaurant Chef John Jademec)
Mai Tai Ahi Tuna Poke and Sweet and Sour Pork Sushi with grilled pineapple, avocado.
New Orleans Gathering (Presented by Tulalip Resorts Banquets & Catering Center Chef Gerry Shultz)
Mini Oyster Po Boy on a French baguette with Remoulade sauce lettuce and cherry tomatoes. Creole Brisket-Biscuit cajon rubbed hickory smoked beef brisket, Creole mayo, fried onions, and arugula on a fresh thyme biscuit.
Pacific Northwest Outdoor Bounty (Presented by Blackfish Restaurant Chef David Buchanan)
Traditional Tulalip “Salmon on a Stick” Sockeye Salmon with blueberry slaw of Nappa, savoy, and red cabbage; carrot, fennel, dried blueberries, cilantro, and raspberry vinaigrette.
“Down-Home” Kansas Farm Picnic (Presented by Eagles Buffet Chef John Jadamec)
Smoked Brisket Burnt Ends with Kansas style pit baked beans. Kansas City BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders with Kansas slaw.
Florida Beach Picnic (Presented by Tulalip Resort Banquets & Catering Center Chef John “JP” Ponticelli)
Adobo Chicken Drumette with mango papaya salsa. Grilled Seckel Pear with tropical fruit relish.
Wisconsin Cheese Board (Presented by Tulalip Resort Banquets & Catering Center Chef John “JP” Ponticelli)
Taste of Wisconsin Cheese with a variety of herbed crostini and fresh baguettes.
Chicago’s Big Tailgate Party (Presented by The Draft Sports Bar and Grill Chef Brent Clarkson)
Dill Pickle Caramel Corn with popped corn tossed in a dill pickle caramel. Vertical Chicago Style Hot Dog and Deep-Fried Chicken Waffle, Southern style crispy chicken in a waffle shell drizzled with a beer mustard sauce.
Boston North End Street Fair (Presented by Tulalip Bay Restaurant Executive Chef Perry Mascitti)
Limoncello Gnocchi and Butter Poached Scallops with green olive-peppadew relish.
Be sure to save room for dessert from Tulalip Resort Pastry Chef Nikol Nakamura’s California Ice Cream Social Booth. Featuring Modern/Retro Create Your Own Ice Cream individually made portions of Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream with a choice of Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Cocoa Crispies, House Made Vanilla Granola, Fruity Pebbles and Cap’n Crunch. Topped with local berries and chocolate or caramel sauce. Mexican Popsicles your choice of watermelon or pineapple. Ice Cream Sandwiches, Blackberry and Lemon Sorbet Push Pops and Classic Root Beer Floats.
Wine Tasting Time!
Look for roving winemakers carrying bottles of wine that will be pouring for guests. Don’t be shy about asking for tastes and striking up a conversation. Stop by the numerous booths that will be pouring a large selection of Washington wines—this is a great way to taste samples of many varietals. Over 100 wineries are participating and you can get the full list here.
Other Fun Things To Do
Spin the wheel to win prizes and mingle with the Grape Killers gang (a self-named group of Woodinville winemakers). Test your throwing and accuracy skills at the Ring Toss; and your luck at the Balloon Pop, Wine Pull and Chip-a-Cork. Enter the “Opportunity Drawing” for your chance to win a 7-day Cruise to Alaska, Mexico or New England courtesy of Holland America Line. Tickets are $50 each and only 100 will be sold. The drawing will happen at 8pm at the main stage.
The 2015 Barrel Auction
Head down to the front of the concert stage to taste samples from barrels of the participating barrel auction wineries. Then, bid on your favorite barrel sample for a chance to be the leading bidder and receive cases of these prized wines upon release. This area can get lively… and it is tons of fun to watch or participate for a great cause. Participating barrel auction wineries are: Ambassador Wines, Adams Bench, Alleromb, Avennia, Baer Winery, Boudreaux Cellars, Cadence, Corliss Estates, Dunham Cellars, Druthers, Chateau Ste. Michelle, Kevin White Winery, Renninger Winery, Result of a Crush, Reynvaan Family Vineyards, Sparkman Cellars, Walla Walla Vintners, WSU Blended Learning, and W.T. Vintners.
Friday’s Winemaker Dinners, Saturday’s Columbia Winery Charity Run & Walk, and Saturday’s Auction of Washington Wines’ Grand Finale, The Winemakers Gala
For all the detailed information on this event, as well as Friday’s Winemaker Dinners, the 2015 Columbia Winery Charity Run and Walk and the grand finale on Saturday, The Winemakers Gala, visit the Auction of Washington Wines website at www.auctionofwashingtonwines.com
Editors Note: Washington Tasting Room Magazine is proud to be a media partner of Auction of Washington Wines. Visit our FaceBook Page for a giveaway contest and enter for a chance to win two VIP tickets to The 2015 Winemakers Picnic and Barrel Auction, a $300 value.