This year’s Winemaker Picnic and Barrel Auction, Private Barrel Auction, the Gala Live Auction and other signature events will become a virtual celebration in support of the Washington wine industry and Seattle Children’s

SEATTLE — April 30, 2020 — Auction of Washington Wines (AWW), a nonprofit elevating awareness of Washington wines through a series of annual events, announced its decision to move its 2020 events to a virtual-only format in response to the current public health crisis. AWW’s 33^rd annual wine weekend of events in August will shift to a virtual auction for participants to enjoy in the comfort of their homes on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2020. Additional details about the annual summertime celebration will be announced soon. AWW leaders made the decision with consideration for the safety and wellbeing of all patrons, donors, sponsors, winemakers and staff. The organization is working to explore new ways of reaching broader audiences and building more support for Washington’s wine industry, which is being significantly economically impacted by the pandemic.

“We must find new ways to come together and are thrilled for the opportunity to re-imagine what this year’s programming will look like in a virtual environment,” said Jamie Peha, AWW’s Executive Director. “We know our supporters will continue to celebrate our region’s wines while helping us raise the necessary funds for our partners at Seattle Children’s, Washington State University Viticulture and Enology research and the Auction of Washington Wines organization. We look forward to toasting to Washington wine with our supporters in our new virtual environment in the coming days and months.”

Grant recipient La Casa Hogar offers education for Latina farmworkers, wine grape growers, pickers, wine producers and their families

Feb. 11, 2020 — Auction of Washington Wines (AWW) today announced it will award its 2019 Industry Grant of $15,000 to La Casa Hogar, a community organization which connects and educates Latina families in Yakima Valley, Wash. The grant will support La Casa Hogar’s Adult Education Programs for farmworkers, including wine grape pickers, growers and wine producers, as well as their families.

La Casa Hogar primarily serves people in Yakima county, but also touches Kittitas, Grant and Chelan counties. Its Adult Education program includes six levels of English classes, civic engagement, leadership development, pre-GED, health and nutrition and Spanish and English language exchange. Annually, over 700 individuals are served across adult education, early learning and citizenship programs. By investing in education, La Casa Hogar promotes educational equity, access and leadership among Latina communities of Yakima Valley.

Events Include a Winemaker Picnic, Exclusive Winemaker Dinners and a Formal Gala, All to Raise Funds for Seattle Children’s and Washington State University’s Viticulture and Enology Research

SEATTLE July 3, 2019

The Auction of Washington Wines announces its annual weekend of events, from August 15th-17th, celebrating the bounty of Washington wines – from Chardonnay to Cabernet Sauvignon. All events benefit Seattle Children’s and Washington State University’s Viticulture and Enology Research. The festivities begin with the Winemaker Picnic & Barrel Auction on Thursday, August 15. Raise a glass with Washington winemakers and sip on the state’s most exciting and desirable wines – more than 100 wines will be poured at this outdoor event held on the grounds of Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery. Then, on Friday, August 16, the Winemaker Dinners will give wine lovers the opportunity to dine at some of the Puget Sound’s most exclusive estates. Each dinner pairs award-winning local chefs with Washington winemakers. The weekend’s grand finale, The Gala, will feature an exciting live auction, ranked among 2018’s top three highest-earning charity wine auctions in the nation by Wine Spectator Magazine. 

All events are 21+. 

WOODINVILLE, WASH. (PRWEB) MAY 21, 2019

The Auction of Washington Wines (AWW) announces its largest Private Barrel Auction to date will be held at Novelty Hill-Januik in Woodinville, Washington on Thursday, August 15, 2019. Now in its fifth year, the 2019 Private Barrel Auction will feature a record 47 lots.

The Private Barrel Auction offers top-caliber wine buyers intimate access to extraordinary, unique futures in five case lots from more than 40 premier Washington winemakers. Last year, the Private Barrel Auction brought in a record-breaking $251,500, an 83% increase over the previous year. All proceeds benefit Washington State University’s Viticulture and Enology research programs.

Event in the Heart of Washington Wine Country to benefit Seattle Children’s and Washington State University Wine Science Research

SEATTLE (PRWEB) MAY 14, 2019

On Saturday, June 1, 2019, Auction of Washington Wines’ Wine and Music Festival will showcase over 60 outstanding Washington wines along with live music from Dakota Brown Band and Jack Rothwell. More than 20 of Washington’s award-winning wineries will be in attendance. Guests will nosh on food from Porter’s Real Barbecue and Fat Olives Restaurant & Catering. Proceeds benefit Seattle Children’s and Viticulture and Enology Research at Washington State University.

As a part of the weekend, the Auction of Washington Wines’ 2019 Honorary Grower, Scott Williams of Kiona Vineyards, will host a Vineyard Dinner in Benton City on Friday, May 31, 2019. Guests will enjoy Kiona Vineyards’ award-winning wines paired with dishes from Fat Olives Restaurant & Catering.

Wine industry veteran steps in to lead nonprofit event.

SEATTLE (PRWEB) MARCH 22, 2019

The Auction of Washington Wines (AWW) named industry veteran Jamie Peha its interim Executive Director, effective immediately.

Peha has already played a key role as part of the AWW team. As Director of the event’s Private Barrel Auction, she grew the program from eight wine lots in 2015 netting $48,000 to 31 lots and a record-breaking $251,000 in 2018. Peha’s career highlights include building Taste Washington into a nationally recognized event, growing the Seattle Wine and Food Experience into a two-day financially viable event and serving as interim director for both Woodinville Wine Country and the Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance.

Nonprofit names Chris Gorman as Honorary Vintner and Scott Williams as Honorary Grower During Taste Washington Wine Month

SEATTLE (March 12, 2019) The Auction of Washington Wines (AWW), Washington state’s only nonprofit wine event that has been around for 32 years, today recognized Chris Gorman of Gorman Winery as its 2019 Honorary Vintner and Scott Williams of Kiona Vineyards as its 2019 Honorary Grower. The individuals were selected because they exemplify leadership in the industry and have made significant contributions to the Washington wine community. These honorary positions are peer-nominated and reserved for leaders who deeply invest in and positively impact the Washington state wine community.

SEATTLE (PRWEB)January 23, 2019

The Auction of Washington Wines (AWW) today announced a $15,000 grant to Walla Walla Community College’s (WWCC) Institute for Enology and Viticulture. WWCC is focused on promoting the economic development of Washington state’s wine industry by providing education and training. The grant will support WWCC’s “Human Capital” fund, allowing students to earn an income while they gain real world experience that is credited toward obtaining their degrees.

“The camaraderie within the Washington wine industry is fantastic,” said Timothy Donahue, Director of Winemaking for the Enology and Viticulture at WWCC. “The conviviality is on full display with this industry grant, as the Auction of Washington Wines actively invests in the next generation of vintners and viticulturists.”

AWW Welcomes Incoming Board President Beth McCaw as its Next Board President

SEATTLE (Oct 25, 2018) – The Auction of Washington Wines (AWW) announced today that Beth McCaw, President and CEO of Washington Women’s Foundation, has been elected President of the AWW board, effective immediately. McCaw has been serving as the Community Co-Chair for AWW since 2016, where she has been a critical part of growing auction proceeds from $2.5 million in 2015 to more than $4 million in 2018.