Wine Industry Leader Annette Alvarez-Peters Selected as 2023 Auction Honorary Chair

Bidder Registration and Tickets Now on Sale for Wine Country Celebrations Online Auction
and April Vintner Dinners

Seattle, Wash. (March 1, 2023) — The Auction of Washington Wines returns for its 36th year of fundraising in 2023, announcing a full calendar of wine events and auctions in April and August. Wine industry leader Annette Alvarez-Peters is the Auction of Washington Wines’ honorary chair for 2023.

The Auction of Washington Wines promotes awareness and growth of the Washington wine industry while benefiting the community, with ongoing contributions to three beneficiaries: Seattle Children’s, Washington State University’s Viticulture and Enology Department, and the AWW Industry Grant Partner, Vital Wines.

The auction returned to a full slate of in-person events for the first time in three years in 2022, raising more than $4.2 million. Since its inception in 1988, the organization has raised more than $59 million.

Auction of Washington Wines 36th Annual Fundraising Events Season

April 18-23: Wine Country Celebrations Online Auction (join bidding here)

April 18: Wine Country Celebrations Vintner Dinner at Matthews Winery, Woodinville (tickets here)

April 20: Wine Country Celebrations Vintner Dinner at Fiction @ J. Bookwalter, Richland (tickets here)

April 22: Wine Country Celebrations Vintner Dinner at Cairdeas Winery, Chelan (tickets here)

August 8-12: Gala Online Auction

August 10: TOAST! Industry Awards at Chateau Ste. Michelle

August 11: Winemaker Picnic & Barrel Auction at Chateau Ste. Michelle

August 12: Gala at Chateau Ste. Michelle

The 2023 program begins in April with the Wine Country Celebrations Online Auction, as well as three Vintner Dinners at Washington wineries in Woodinville, Richland, and Chelan. The Wine Country Celebrations Online Auction, which runs from April 18 through 23, features two-day wine country getaways and AVA-specific travel, coveted bottle lots, private tasting experiences, and more.

Tickets are now on sale for the Wine Country Celebrations Vintner Dinners, which offer an exclusive experience for guests to dine alongside winemakers in three different Washington wine regions. On April 18, Matthews Winery in Woodinville hosts the first Vintner Dinner featuring wines from Matthews Winery, Baer Winery, and Quiddity Wines. The second Vintner Dinner takes place on April 20 at Fiction @ J. Bookwalter in Richland, in the Columbia Valley AVA.The final Vintner Dinner is at Cairdeas Winery in the Lake Chelan AVA on April 22, featuring wines from Cairdeas and Amos Rome Vineyards.

This summer, the Auction of Washington Wines returns with the Gala Online Auction from August 8 to 12. The Washington wine community gives generously to ensure there is something for everyone included in this annual auction, with unique wine packages, wine-themed items, and incredible winery experiences up for bid. 

On August 10, the Auction of Washington Wines honors emerging and diverse leaders at the TOAST! Industry Awards, held at Chateau Ste. Michelle in Woodinville. The awards honor individuals who have worked for the betterment and continued success of Washington wine. Last year’s award winners included winemaker Shae Frichette of Frichette Winery (Emerging Leader), wine grower Dick Boushey (Award of Distinction), and writer Sean P. Sullivan (Wine Industry Champion), among others; Bob Betz, MW, received the Lifetime Achievement Award.

The Winemaker Picnic & Barrel Auction is the largest celebration of Washington wine in the Auction of Washington Wines calendar. The Winemaker Picnic takes place on August 11 on the beautiful grounds of Chateau Ste. Michelle, and provides an opportunity to meet Washington winemakers as they pour wines from across the state. Tasting bars at the picnic feature more than 100 wines paired with gourmet food stations from top local restaurants. The Barrel Auction is the focal point of the picnic, featuring 30 wineries pouring samples of a yet-to-be-released wine up for bid.

The Auction of Washington Wines’ Gala on August 12 is the marquee fundraising event for the 2023 season. The Gala is held at Chateau Ste. Michelle, and promises a spectacular evening celebrating Washington wine. A social hour with a luxury wine bottle auction opens the evening. Guests sit at winemaker-hosted tables for a four-course dinner created by local chefs. The Gala offers exclusive auction items in a live auction, and the party continues under the stars at the Gala After-Party.

“The Auction of Washington Wines team is proud to champion the Washington wine industry while supporting the work of our three philanthropic partners,” said Jamie Peha, Executive Director of Auction of Washington Wines. “Our mission has never been more important, and as the industry grows and changes, we look forward to welcoming newcomers to experience it at its best and join our loyal patrons at this year’s incredible series of events.”

The Auction of Washington Wines is thrilled to announce the honorary chair for 2023 is Annette Alvarez-Peters. The honorary chair is selected every year based on their contribution to the Washington wine industry. The longtime wine buyer for Costco Wholesale, Alvarez-Peters sits on the Board of Directors for MISA Imports and Crimson Wine Group. She is recognized globally as a top leader in the wine industry, and serves in advisory and mentorship roles for Wine Unify, Women of the Vine and Spirits, and Batonnage Forum.

The Auction of Washington Wines Industry co-chairs are Linda and Cam Myhrvold, who have both served on the Foundation Board for Seattle Children’s. The Auction of Washington Wines Community co-chairs are Laura and Ian MacNeil, who have supported the Washington wine industry since 1996.

ABOUT AUCTION OF WASHINGTON WINES

The Auction of Washington Wines supports the growth and raises awareness of the Washington wine industry while benefiting the greater community through fundraising events. The auction has raised more than $59 million since its inception in 1988. Washington’s premier wine auction uplifts the state’s wine industry and raises funds for Seattle Children’s, Washington State University’s Viticulture and Enology Department, and Vital Wines, a nonprofit winery that provides much needed medical care to vineyard workers. Key supporters for 2023 include Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, the Seattle Times, PNC Bank and Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits. For more information visit auctionofwawines.org.  

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List features peer-selected recipients representing all aspects of Washington’s thriving wine community; TOAST! tickets on sale now 

SEATTLE — July 14, 2022 — TOAST!, a new event and awards program from The Auction of Washington Wines reveals its award recipients. These peer-reviewed honorees are recognized in seven categories, lauded for keeping the Washington wine community thriving and focused on its bright future. The public is invited to celebrate these achievements at TOAST! being held at Chateau Ste. Michelle on August 11 with a four-course dinner prepared by El Gaucho chefs paired with top wines from Washington state.  

SEATTLE — May 18, 2022

Calling trade and private collectors to bid on 22, one-of-a-kind wines from select winemakers.  

SEATTLE — May 18, 2022 — Auction of Washington Wines (AWW), a nonprofit devoted to advancing awareness of the Washington wine industry, announces details for its Virtual Private Barrel Auction August 8^th from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Open to trade and collectors by registration, the online auction will feature 22 premium Washington wineries offering five-case lots for exclusive ownership.  

SEATTLE — March 9, 2022

Kicking off with a Wine Country Celebration in May and culminating in August with the Winemaker Picnic and Annual Gala, events benefitWashington State University Viticulture & Enology Research, Seattle Children’s, and Industry Grant Partner Vital Wines

Auction of Washington Wines (AWW), a nonprofit devoted to advancing awareness of the Washington wine industry, announces a return to in person events just in time for its 35^th anniversary. Mark the calendar for Wine Country Vintner Dinners in Eastern Washington in May and look further afield for the Winemaker Picnic & Barrel Auction and Gala at Chateau Ste. Michelle in August. Note the addition of a new event, the industry-focused honoree celebration, TOAST!

SEATTLE — August 21, 2021

Proceeds benefit Seattle Children’s, Washington State University Viticulture and Enology Research and AWW’s Industry Grant Program

The Auction of Washington Wines (AWW) marked another historic year after hosting its first hybrid auction event presented by the John L. Scott Foundation. Through fundraising events over the past year, which includes the week-long online auction from Aug. 10-14 and galas held across Woodinville, Washington 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.

SEATTLE — March 2, 2021

Auction of Washington Wines (AWW), a nonprofit devoted to advancing awareness of the Washington wine industry, today announced its lineup of events for the 2021 season. After moving to virtual and online events last year, AWW is maintaining a largely online format while bringing back in-person events in smaller, more intimate settings.

SEATTLE – Aug. 17, 2020 — The Auction of Washington Wines (AWW) pivoted online for its 33^rd series of charitable wine events from Aug. 11–15, 2020. Through online auctions and a live streamed virtual gala presented by Seattle Bank, the organization raised over $1.74 million. Proceeds from the August events benefit Seattle Children’s, Washington State University Viticulture & Enology Program research, as well as AWW. Top auction lots of the virtual live gala were the “PPP – Post-pandemic Pool Party hosted by Macklemore,” a trip to London to see the premiere of the next Bond movie and the chance to explore Napa, “The Other Wine Country” with AWW 2020-2021 Honorary Chair, Karen MacNeil. The total raised for these items was $117,500.

“We are so grateful for the incredible show of support for the Washington wine industry, which is such a key part of the overall Washington state economy,” said AWW board president Beth McCaw.

Participants can bid on exclusive wines and experiences including Honorary Chair Karen MacNeil’s Washington-Napa experience, a pair of Honorary Vintner Mark McNeilly’s Mark Ryan Winery engraved 9-liter bottles and a 22-year vertical of Leonetti Cellar Sangiovese

The Auction of Washington Wines‘ (AWW) annual August weekend of events will move online Aug. 11–15, 2020 for the first time in its 33-year history. The nationally lauded organization will feature a series of online and virtual auctions with more than 100 exciting auction lots. Presented by Seattle Bank, proceeds will benefit Seattle Children’s and Washington State University Viticulture & Enology Research. Registration for all events is now open.