Annual auction supports world-class wine research at Washington State University
WOODINVILLE, WA (January 16, 2019) —The Auction of Washington Wines’ fifth annual Private Barrel Auction will feature 45 auction lots, including 41 exclusive five case wine lots from the state’s top winemakers. The auction will take place on Thursday, August 15, 2019 at Novelty Hill-Januik winery in Woodinville, Washington. Invited national and local members of the wine trade can bid on these rare wine futures, positioning the Private Barrel Auction to surpass last year’s record of $251,500.
Since its inception four years ago, the Private Barrel Auction has raised nearly $521,000 for Washington State University’s Viticulture and Enology program. The money specifically funds world-class viticulture and enology research, made available to every winery and wine grape grower in the state to help Washington winemakers develop better grapes and wines.
“As the Washington wine industry evolves, so does the Private Barrel Auction, growing to become a must-stop for trade and wine collectors interested in acquiring a truly one-of-a-kind wine made exclusively for the auction by the most talented winemakers in the state,” said Juan Muñoz Oca, AWW Co-Chair and Executive VP of Winemaking, Ste. Michelle Wine Estates. “I continue to be amazed by the generosity of the Washington wine industry and the goodwill we create by participating in this amazing event. The Private Barrel Auction supports not only enology and viticulture research in the state of Washington but also, and perhaps more importantly, creates a stronger bond between Washington winemakers and some of the most influential people in the wine business across the U.S.”
In 2018, the average price paid per lot was $7,629, up 13 percent from the previous year, with an average bottle price of $127. All lots are sold in five case (60 bottle) allotments, keeping the exclusivity of ownership high. Winning bids ranged from $3,000 to $16,000 in 2018.
The 2019 Auction of Washington Wines Private Barrel Auction is an invitation-only event for licensed wine sellers including retailers, restaurateurs and wholesalers. For more information and to request an invitation, please visit the AWW website.
The Private Barrel Auction is part of The Auction of Washington Wines’ weekend of charitable wine events. In total, 2018 efforts raised a record $4.1 million benefitting Seattle Children’s and Washington State University’s Viticulture & Enology program.
About the Private Barrel Auction
The Private Barrel Auction is a part of a series of events produced by the Auction of Washington Wines. Major sponsors include Novelty Hill-Januik Winery, Northwest Farm Credit Services, Tonnellerie Quintessence, TW Boswell, Washington State Wine Commission, Woodinville Wine Country, Pollen Systems, TricorBraun WinePak, Trysk Print Solutions, DoubleKnot Creative, Wine Business Monthly, The Tasting Panel, The Somm Journal and Bloom, A Growth Platform for Modern Wineries. For more information, visit www.AuctionofWaWines.org/trade.
About the Auction of Washington Wines
Since its inception in 1988, the Auction of Washington Wines has raised more than $46 million dollars, benefitting Seattle Children’s and Washington State University Wine Science Research. Events hosted by the Auction give wine enthusiasts the opportunity to support the Washington wine industry. The 2019 Auction of Washington Wines will take place August 15- 17, 2019. For more information please visit www.auctionofwawines.org.
