Auction of Washington Wines Brings In $1.9 Million
August 21, 2006
The 19th annual Auction of Washington Wines shined the spotlight on philanthropy last weekend, raising $1.9 million for uncompensated care at Children’s Hospital & Regional Medical Center and the Washington Wine Education Foundation.
Themed “Chateau Cabaret,” the weekend celebration of Washington wines featured Picnic with the Winemakers, winemaker dinners and a spectacular black tie Gala Auction on the grounds of Chateau Ste. Michelle in Woodinville, Wash.
“This year’s extraordinary auction lots further distinguished the Auction of Washington Wines as a one-of-a-kind destination event,” said Carol Munro, executive director for the Auction of Washington Wines. “This event is truly a reflection of the dynamic energy of the growing Washington wine industry.”
The 2006 Auction of Washington Wines weekend kicked-off Thursday, August 17 with Picnic with the Winemakers, a fun and casual outdoor silent auction featuring live music from Paul Gregutt and Friends, more than 150 Washington wines and a gourmet picnic spread provided by Whole Foods Market.
A first-ever live barrel auction included ten cases of one-of-a-kind blends created by six different Washington wineries, bringing in $52,000. More than 800 guests mixed and mingled with Washington wine makers as they competed for recognition as “best picnic spread” in the first annual B.Y.O.B. (Bring Your Own Blanket) contest.
The weekend celebration continued on Friday, August 18 with winemaker dinners at private homes and wineries in the greater Seattle-area. Each intimate dinner featured guest chefs and Washington winemakers, attended by 360 wine lovers from across the region.
On Saturday, August 19, festive can-can dancers took center stage to kick-off the Gala Auction’s evening entertainment as elegantly attired guests gathered under the white tent at Chateau Ste. Michelle.
Listening to the swinging sounds of the Brian Nova Orchestra, guests enjoyed live performances from “Vino! the Musical” and a six-course gourmet feast prepared by a team of celebrity chefs led by John Sarich, culinary director of Chateau Ste. Michelle and Charles Ramseyer of Ray’s Boathouse.
Auction co-chairs Ted Baseler of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, and Ron Elgin of DDB, proudly honored two industry leaders for their contributions to the Washington wine industry: Honorary Grower Paul Champoux, owner of Champoux Vineyards and Honorary Winemaker Martin Clubb, owner of L’Ecole N° 41. Charity auctioneers Dick and Sharon Friel led the thrilling live auction.
Top wine items included:
- Quilceda Creek 20-year vertical dinner for eight - $30,000
- Quilceda Creek 6-liter “Perfection Collection” (two 100-point. 2002 and 2003 Cabernet Sauvignons) - $20,000
- Woodward Canyon 25-year retrospective tasting and dinner - $20,000
- Leonetti Cellar collection of 5-liters with a tour and tasting for six - $14,000
- Cayuse Vineyards collection from the 2004 vintage - $10,000
- Grand Opening of Col Solare on Red Mountain - $12,000
Top live auction items included:
- BMW 2006 Z4 Roadster 3.0i - $39,000
- Chateau Ste. Michelle Trip to Italy for two - sold twice at $32,000
- Dinner at the Chihuly Boathouse with winemaker Eric Dunham of Dunham Cellars - $26,000
- Journey of Wine & Wonder to Australia for two from Air New Zealand - $25,000
- Insider’s Tour of Napa Valley with Long Shadows & Barons V for six - $20,000
- Pig Roast with Edgar Martinez and Chef Tamara Murphy - $20,000
- Holland America Line Cruise for two with Co-Chairs Ted Baseler and Ron Elgin - $15,000
- Get Grilling with a Viking Outdoor Center - $10,000
Sponsors of the 2006 Auction of Washington Wines included Air New Zealand, BMW Northwest, Chateau Ste. Michelle, Down Under Answers, John L. Scott, Seattle Magazine, Viking/Gateway Appliance Distributing, and Whole Foods Market.
About Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center
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 referral center for Washington, Alaska, Montana and Idaho. Children's has been delivering superior patient care for 100 years, including advancing new discoveries and treatments in pediatric research, and serving as a primary teaching, clinical and research site for the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Washington School of Medicine. For more information about Children's, visit www.seattlechildrens.org.
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