The Auction of Washington Wines has given back to the community money to benefit uncompensated care at Seattle’s Children’s Hospital and the Washington Wine Education Foundation. http://www.auctionofwashingtonwines.org Auction of Washington Wines 2012   Location: Twice Walla How long have you been at this?12 vintages Who or what inspired you to become a winemaker?That’s an easy one. Eric Dunham of Dunham Cellars. Eric hired in me 2000 knowing I had zero knowledge about making wine. He gave me and my family the opportunity to move to a small town, to slow things down a bit... http://www.auctionofwashingtonwines.org/news/wine-wednesday-winemaker-profile-trey-busch-of-sleight-of-hand-cellar/ Wed, 16 May 2012 15:11:00 PDT Location: Woodinville How long have you been at this?12 Years Who or what inspired you to become a winemaker?My brother, Lance, got me interested in wine and founded the winery. I worked and learned along with him until he passed away a few years ago. My father Les and I have continued the winery as our labor of love. If you weren't working w... http://www.auctionofwashingtonwines.org/news/wine-wednesday-winemaker-profile-lisa-baer-baer-winery/ Wed, 09 May 2012 14:06:00 PDT How long have you been at this?Six years Who or what inspired you to become a winemaker?A trip to Washington. Visiting Walla Walla, we realized that one could make earthy balanced wines. We decided to retire there in the future. This quickly became “let’s sell everything we own in NYC this year and move to Washington.” I would a... http://www.auctionofwashingtonwines.org/news/wine-wednesday-winemaker-profile-greg-harrington-gramercy-cellars/ Wed, 02 May 2012 17:13:00 PDT This year the Auction of Washington Wines is celebrating its 25th Anniversary and to honor the occasion the staff did a little research to find some Washington Wine “Fun Facts” from the past 25+ years.  One of our favorites was “At the end of the last Ice Age… a series of huge water events known as the Missoula Floods washed over the entire eastern half of the sta... http://www.auctionofwashingtonwines.org/news/wine-wednesday-not-a-winemaker-profile-a-wine-industry-profile/ Wed, 25 Apr 2012 16:48:00 PDT Wine Wednesday: Winemaker Profile Gordy Venneri of Walla Walla VintnersLocation: 225 Vineyard Lane, Walla Walla, WA 99362   How long have you been at this?Commercially since 1995, Hobbyist since 1981 Who or what inspired you to become a winemaker?In the summer of 1981 I travelled to Europe including Italy for 6 weeks. I learned to... http://www.auctionofwashingtonwines.org/news/wine-wednesday-winemaker-profile-gordy-venneri-walla-walla-vintners/ Wed, 18 Apr 2012 13:53:00 PDT Winemaker Profile: Bob Betz, MS / 2012 Auction of Washington Wines Co-ChairLocation: Woodinville, WAWinery: Betz Family Winery What do you think Washington wines will be known for in 25 years, as compared to now?Cabernet Sauvignon, our greatest grape, Syrah, a close second, and Riesling. Who in the industry should we be ... http://www.auctionofwashingtonwines.org/news/wine-wednesday-winemaker-profile-bob-betz-betz-family-winery/ Wed, 04 Apr 2012 16:45:00 PDT Winemaker Profile: Chris Sparkman of Sparkman CellarsLocation: Woodinville, WA 1. Who or what inspired you to become a winemaker?The birth of our first child, Stella Mae, inspired us to create a family business and an environment of family focused life. It’s worked out nicely. 2. If you weren’t working with wine what... http://www.auctionofwashingtonwines.org/news/wine-wednesday-winemaker-profile-chris-sparkman-of-sparkman-cellars/ Wed, 28 Mar 2012 15:00:00 PDT I’m sure you are all wondering why we didn’t post a Winemaker Profile last Wednesday. It’s because Melissa and I were on a road trip in Eastern Washington, meeting with event sponsors and participating wineries as we gear up for the 25th Anniversary celebration!! We had a great time meeting with Sterling Bank and the van Loben Sels from Arbor Crest in Spokane, touring and tasting at ... http://www.auctionofwashingtonwines.org/news/wine-wednesday-march-21-23-eastern-washington-road-trip/ Wed, 28 Mar 2012 09:01:00 PDT Winemaker Profile: John Bookwalter of J. BookwalterLocation: Richland, WA John Bookwalter, second generation winemaker and owner of J. Bookwalter, did not join the family winery right away. J. Bookwalter was founded in 1983 by John’s father, Jerry, but it wasn’t until 1997 that the younger Bookwalter officially joined the winery. S... http://www.auctionofwashingtonwines.org/news/wine-wednesday-winemaker-profile-john-bookwalter/ Wed, 14 Mar 2012 15:15:00 PDT Winemaker Profiler: Kay Simon of Chinook WinesLocation: Prosser, Washington (Yakima Valley)  1. Who or what inspired you to become a winemaker?I have always been interested in foods, gardening and cooking. My father and his friends made wine together in some of the years of my youth – and our family raised beef & chickens (for eggs) and had... http://www.auctionofwashingtonwines.org/news/wine-wednesday-winemaker-profile-kay-simon-of-chinook-wines/ Wed, 07 Mar 2012 15:00:00 PST Winemaker Profiler: Brennon Leighton of Efestē Location: 19730 144th Ave NE Woodinville Wa 98072 1. Who or what inspired you to become a winemaker?I think everyone who has a passion for wine has had those “ahh-huh” wines or epiphany wines that drove them to know more to get a deeper understanding of wine. I have had several but my first wa... http://www.auctionofwashingtonwines.org/news/wine-wednesday-winemaker-profile-brennon-leighton-efeste/ Wed, 29 Feb 2012 13:16:00 PST We like to think you can never have too much wine and we make sure there is a lot of it to bid on at the events.  But every once in a while we like to change things up a bit and add other highly coveted non-wine items into the mix.   We have always had a great relationship with the Seattle Seahawks and Sounders FC organizations and this year they donated two great game day experiences.  Cat... http://www.auctionofwashingtonwines.org/news/seattle-seahawks-game-day-experience/ Wed, 25 Jan 2012 11:51:00 PST Bidder paddles are flying, the auctioneer is calling bids and excitement fills the room!  “SOLD – to number 123” calls Dave Reynolds –“thank you for your support and enjoy your trip!” Auctions are always full of excitement and the Auction of Washington Wines is no exception. In 2011 the live auction featured 32 packages with a value of at least $10,000 each, most of them on... http://www.auctionofwashingtonwines.org/news/sold/ Wed, 21 Dec 2011 15:30:00 PST The 10 o’clock hour of the TODAY show was in Seattle filming a few weeks ago and we had to stop by to see what everything was about. We love this city and are always excited when national television comes to town. So, we headed to Pike’s Place Market with some Auction of Washington Wines branded items for Kathy Lee and Hoda. In between segments, we were able to meet and take a few pho... http://www.auctionofwashingtonwines.org/news/aww-visits-the-kathy-lee-and-hoda-show-in-seattle/ Fri, 18 Nov 2011 15:00:00 PST We heard some great things following our 2011 events, here’s a look at what people are saying… Picnic & Barrel Auction “An enjoyable event in a truly outstanding setting.”“We love this event. It’s a great event which showcases Washington wines and is for a great cause.”“I have always loved this event. The food was plentiful and very good.” http://www.auctionofwashingtonwines.org/news/what-people-are-saying/ Tue, 01 Nov 2011 15:10:00 PDT