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Washington’s wine industry can draw some star power, whether it’s actor and vintner Kyle MacLachlan or winemaking rock star Christophe Baron. Both pitched in to raise money for a great cause at last month’s 37th annual Auction of Washington Wines (AWW). The weekend pulled in $4.25 million for Seattle Children’s Hospital, Washington State University’s Viticulture and Enology program and industry grant partner Vital Wines, which provides healthcare and other resources to vineyard workers.
The total was higher than the $4 million raised in both 2023 and 2022. (Wine Spectator was a premier sponsor of this year’s event.) Since the first auction in 1988, the event has raised over $67 million.
Celebrating Washington Wines in Style
The three-day event kicked off at Sparkman Cellars on Aug. 8 with the TOAST! Industry Awards, which honored established and emerging leaders in Washington wine including Baron and Kiona, the first winery to plant vines in the Red Mountain AVA and a leader in sustainability. The next day, the winemaker picnic and barrel auction drew over 1,000 attendees to the grounds of Chateau Ste. Michelle, where unreleased cases of wine from 35 wineries raised $125,000 at a live auction.
On Aug. 10, over 500 wine lovers gathered at the culminating live auction and gala to bid on 27 lots, 22 of which included wine. The auction raised over $930,000, with other funds raised in silent and online auctions, plus a record-setting live paddle raise that brought in over $2 million for Seattle Children’s.
“What gives me the most satisfaction at our events is witnessing the camaraderie and unity that is so incredibly special within the Washington wine industry in the room, seeing our industry luminaries and generous donors ready for a party and excited to raise money for a good cause,” executive director Jamie Peha told Wine Spectator.
Rare Wines Meet Luxury Travel
As in recent years, live-auction lots combined personalized travel packages with coveted wines. The top lot was a seven-day trip for four to Antinori’s Tuscan vineyards (sold for a total of $108,000) and a seven-night stay for six in a deluxe villa in Andalucía, Spain ($105,000).
Other wine-related lots generated special enthusiasm from bidders. A quintet of magnums (2014, 2013, 2007, 2003 and 2002) from Quilceda Creek sold for $45,000, while a 28-vintage vertical from DeLille dating to 1994 raised $16,000. The chance to be wined and dined by MacLachlan at a private Los Angeles club, dubbed the ‘La La Land Luxury Lunch,’ sold for $30,000.
Peha noted that bidders seem equally interested in lots featuring travel and rare wines. “It’s always rewarding to curate lots that our donors want and to include a good variety. And there are so many that have a natural crossover between travel experiences and wine,” she said.
Washington Star Power
Many notable Washington wine industry legends and celebrities were in attendance, including Bob Betz, longtime winemaker at Chateau Ste. Michelle and co-founder of Betz Family Vineyards. More than 300 wineries, including Cayuse, Col Solare and Klipsun, participated over the course of the three days. At the gala and live auction, each table featured a winemaker host showing off a portfolio of their wines to pair with dinner, which was prepared by a team of local chefs.
Also bringing star power to the crowd were MacLachlan, who will appear at next month’s New York Wine Experience, and Sidney Rice, the former NFL player and owner of Dossier Wine Collective. The Saturday gala featured music by Rizo Love.
Good Wines for a Great Cause
The event benefits three arms of Seattle Children’s, one of the country’s leading children’s hospitals. Funds raised support the Tri-Cities and Wenatchee clinics, both located near Washington’s major vineyard areas, as well as uncompensated care and the homelessness prevention fund.
The auction also supports Washington State University’s Wine Science Center, one of the country’s major research centers for viticulture and winemaking. The third beneficiary, Vital Wines, promotes access to healthcare for vineyard workers through programs including free health screenings and eyeglasses for workers’ children.
Next year’s gala and live auction will take place on August 16, 2025, in Woodinville.
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