Auction of Washington Wines Gift Pt 2

Auction of Washington Wines Gift Pt 2

Bob Larson
Bob Larson
With today's Fruit Grower Report, I'm Bob Larson. A $278,000 gift to support research at the WSU Viticulture and Enology program is a big boost for the state's wine industry.

The gift from Auction of Washington Wines comes during a milestone year for the organization ...

SHERRI SWINGLE ... "The Auction was founded at the same time as the Washington Wine Commission was founded and so we've been around, this 'll be our 30th year. Big year, big celebration. We have an event in the Tri Cities area at the Washington State University Wine Science Center in early June and then our events in August, August 17th, 18th, and 19th, here in Woodinville."

Executive Director Sherri Swingle says each year is filled with fundraising events, including their Auction in August ...

SHERRI SWINGLE ... "Guests come out on Thursday and really have 3 to 4 hours to sample wines from all over the state, meet the winemakers that are there. It's a very casual environment where they're walking around the grounds of Chateau Ste Michelle Winery and pouring their wines. And we have some great food provided by Tulalip Resort Casino and so it goes way beyond your normal picnic fare. And then we have our Wine Maker Dinner Series the following Friday night and then Wine Maker Gala on Saturday which is just a huge wine party with the who's who of the industry. A lot of the growers and vintners that are putting Washington on the map now."

In those 30 years, Auction of Washington Wines has raised more than $37-million for the Washington industry.

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