Walla Walla Wineries rally behind the Auction of Washington Wines

Walla Walla, WA (August 24, 2007) – The wineries of the Walla Walla Valley stepped up to the plate again this year in support of the Auction of Washington Wines and donated over one-third of the auction lots available for bid, raising over $125,550 in proceeds. In total, the Auction raised a record-breaking $1,950,000 to support Children’s Hospital and Regional Medical Center in Seattle and the Washington Wine Education Foundation.

“Every year we go to the Auction of Washington Wines. It is our way of saying we not only want to place our wines out there for auction-goers to enjoy, but to also say we support the efforts of our greater Washington wine community,” said Darcey Fugman-Small, General Manager of Woodward Canyon Winery.

Cayuse Vineyards, L’Ecole N°41, Leonetti Cellar, Long Shadows Vintners, and Woodward Canyon Winery all made donations to packages that were included in the Auction organizer’s announced list of top auction lots.

With a large contingency of Walla Walla wineries present during the three full days of activities, the support of the Walla Walla Valley wineries was clearly noticed and recognized as the largest attendance ever for the region.

“Everyone from the tried-and-true to the just-opened wineries in the Valley showed their generosity by helping to make the 2007 Auction of Washington Wines one of the top noted wine auctions in the nation,” said Elizabeth Martin-Calder, Executive Director of the Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance. “It is another prime example of the Walla Walla wine industry’s tradition of giving back to the local and regional community.”

 The Auction of Washington Wines, a 501 (c)(3) non-profit, is the philanthropic organization of the Washington State wine industry and one of the top charity wine auctions in the nation. More than $17 million has been raised since the auction was founded in 1988.

The Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance is a winery and grower membership organization committed to furthering the awareness of the quality wineries, wines, and vineyards of the Walla Walla Valley Appellation. Our mission is to support and promote quality and excellence in our wine industry and to further national and international recognition of our region. For more information, please visit www.wallawallawine.com.

For press information please contact Jordan Small, Communications Associate, at 509-526-3117 or at jordan@wallawallawine.com, or Elizabeth Martin-Calder, Executive Director, at 509-526-3117 or emcalder@wallawallawine.com.