Organization Announces Stephen Tanzer as 2019 Honorary Chair
WOODINVILLE, WASHINGTON (May 21, 2019) – The Auction of Washington Wines (AWW) announces its largest Private Barrel Auction to date will be held at Novelty Hill-Januik in Woodinville, Washington on Thursday, August 15, 2019. Now in its fifth year, the 2019 Private Barrel Auction will feature a record 47 lots.
The Private Barrel Auction offers top-caliber wine buyers intimate access to extraordinary, unique futures in five case lots from more than 40 premier Washington winemakers. Last year, the Private Barrel Auction brought in a record-breaking $251,500, an 83% increase over the previous year. All proceeds benefit Washington State University’s Viticulture and Enology research programs.
“In addition to raising more funds for such an incredible organization, the value of the lots increased and brought together diverse buyers from across the country, many of whom were first time attendees of the Private Barrel Auction,” said Jamie Peha, Executive Director of the Auction of Washington Wines. “We are excited to continue to build on that momentum this year.”
Registration is now open to wine buyers and trade representatives at the following link.
The 5th Annual Private Barrel Auction is sponsored by Northwest Farm Credit Services, Tonnellerie Quintessence, TW Boswell, Novelty Hill-Januik, the Washington State Wine Commission, Woodinville Wine Country, Pollen Systems and Wine Business Monthly.
AWW also announces its 2019 Honorary Chair, Stephen Tanzer, an industry veteran with more than 30 years of professional experience.
“The Auction is thrilled to have Steve Tanzer as our Honorary Chair; with his global perspective and well-honed palate, Steve is among the most respected wine critics in America,” said Bob Betz, MW. “He has been a diligent, intimate reporter of Washington wine and its development: over the past two decades, he has spent more time on-site with our growers and winemakers than any other national writer. He will be a compelling addition to our Auction events in August.”
Tanzer is the founder of the critically acclaimed International Wine Cellar, an independent journal read by wine professionals and lovers in all 50 states and 34 countries. After the sale of the International Wine Cellar to Antonio Galloni and Vinous Media, Tanzer joined the new venture as partner and editor-in-chief and continues to cover Washington state wines on the Vinous site. Tanzer has also served as senior editor and wine columnist for Food & Wine magazine and wrote Food & Wine’s Official Wine Guide in 1998 and 1999. He was also the wine columnist for Forbes FYI during the first five years of the publication’s existence.
“Having extensively tasted new releases from Washington annually for nearly 30 years, I’ve watched the industry totally transform itself as an entire new generation of winemakers has taken over,” Tanzer said. “I look forward to celebrating this remarkable progress with the growers, winemakers and thirsty consumers who have made it possible, without a notebook in hand.”
About the Private Barrel Auction
The fifth annual Private Barrel Auction is part of the 32nd annual Auction of Washington Wines weekend, a three-day celebrated event series taking place August 15-17, 2019. In its four-year tenure, the Private Barrel Auction has raised over $510,000 for Washington State University’s Viticulture and Enology research. In 2018, all five-case lots of one-of-a-kind Washington wines were sold to top local and national trade for a record-setting $251,500. The fifth annual Private Barrel Auction will take place on Thursday, August 15, 2019 at Novelty Hill-Januik in Woodinville, Washington at 10:00 a.m. This is an invitation-only live auction event exclusive for licensed retail, on-premise buyers and qualified collectors. For a complete list of participating wineries and to request an invitation, visitwww.AuctionofWaWines.org/trade
About the Auction of Washington Wines
Since its inception in 1988, Auction of Washington Wines (AWW) has raised more than $46 million, benefiting Seattle Children’s and Washington State University Wine Science Research. Events hosted by AWW give wine lovers the chance to support the Washington state wine industry and families around the region. The annual Auction of Washington Wines weekend will take place August 15-17, 2019. Major sponsors include Wells Fargo, CenturyLink, Chateau Ste. Michelle, The John L. Scott Foundation, King 5, The Seattle Times and Wine Spectator Magazine. AWW was ranked among 2018’s top three highest-earning charity wine auctions in the nation by Wine Spectator Magazine. For more information, visit www.AuctionofWaWines.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
