The 2018 Party + Auction raised over $160,000 for Washington Wine Industry Foundation (the Foundation) programs, which strengthen the industry by advancing research, education, and leadership.
The event, held in early February, drew nearly 400 wine industry movers and shakers to support the Foundation’s work and the future of Washington wine. Attendees enjoyed a diamond derby, live music, a custom chef-designed dinner, wine from premier Washington wineries, and silent and live auctions. Auction items included international cruises and trips, exclusive winemaker dinners with industry legends, magnums of Washington wine and more.
The Foundation announced its inauguration of the Washington State Wine “Collaboration Series”, a legacy auction lot created to showcase partnerships between the collaboration of grower sand the vintners. Each year a different grower and vintner will produce 20 cases of a unique wine offered exclusively. The first series will be produced by Sparkman Cellars + Sagemoor Vineyards.
The event was sponsored by: Barnard Griffin, Fidelitas Red Mountain, Gamache Vintners, Kiona Vineyards, TricorBraun Winepak, Basin Pacific Insurance, CoEfficient Consulting. Plus, support from the Foundation’s Annual Partners: Inland Desert Nursery, Bleyhl Co-op, Coventry Vale, Northwest Farm Credit Services, Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, CliftonLarsonAllen, Mercer Ranches, Metis – An Exvere Company, Stoel Rives LLP, Conover Insurance and Oregon Mutual Insurance Company.
The Foundation’s vision is a thriving Washington wine industry and to date has been awarded over $2.6 million in federal and state grants for projects to address industry challenges; distributed over $225,000 in scholarships; and helped fund programs and projects including the WSU Teaching Vineyard and the AgForestry Leadership Program “grape seat”.
Click here for more 2018 P+A pictures.