April 7th – This year, Auction of Washington Wines’ annual Wine & Music event will take place over a full week to celebrate the bounty of Washington wine paired with an online auction, virtual concerts and winemaker dinners. May 18-23, guests are invited to participate from wherever they are, and those ready to venture out can gather at intimate wine-focused dinners in eastern Washington wine country.
The virtual auction will showcase some of Washington’s most coveted wineries and experiences through 120 auction lots. Lots include a six-year vertical of Sangiovese from one of Washington’s best-known wineries, Leonetti Cellar; a staycation in Woodinville at the boutique Archer Hotel; and tickets to a Train concert held anywhere within the United States before December 2022, complete with airfare from Alaska Airlines.
New this year, Wine & Music Week will feature three nights of virtual tune-in conversations and concerts. Each evening, Trey Busch, host, music-lover-turned-winemaker and owner of Sleight of Hand Cellars will interview a local musician to find out what inspires them in a “Wine & Music Conversation,” followed by the headliner performance. Viewers are invited to join AWW online with a glass of their favorite Washington wine to watch the livestream concerts and discover if music really can make wine taste better. May 18, 19 and 20, the celebration begins at 5:30 p.m. and is followed by the headliner performance.
As part of the weeklong festivities, AWW will host two intimate winemaker dinners in eastern Washington wine country. Dinners will have limited tickets available and COVID-safe guidelines will be followed.
On Thursday, May 20, dinner will be held at the Fiction @ J. Bookwalter, deemed “one of the nation’s best winery restaurants” by Food & Wine Magazine. Hosts John Bookwalter and his wife, Gretchen, are Industry Co-Chairs on the AWW board of directors. Charlie Hoppes, winemaker and owner at Fidélitas Wines and fellow AWW board member, will also share his expertise. Guests will enjoy a four-course meal expertly paired with J. Bookwalter and Fidélitas wines.
Hightower Cellars hosts dinner in the outdoor “giving garden” at the vineyard on Friday, May 21. Guests will enjoy a four-course meal expertly paired with Red Mountain reds from Hightower Cellars and small-batch beauties from Wautoma Springs. Dinner is hosted by Tim and Kelly Hightower, owners and winemakers, as well as Jessica Munnell, AWW board member and viticulturist-turned-winemaker of Wautoma Wines.
All proceeds from Wine & Music Week will benefit Washington State University’s Viticulture and Enology Program and AWW’s Industry Grant Program, which supports organizations and programs that directly affect Washington state grape growers and wine producers.
Wine & Music Week is presented by PAPÉ Material Handling, and the Virtual Concert Series is presented by Conover Insurance.
WHEN: Tuesday, May 18–Sunday, May 23
Virtual Conversations and Concerts:
- May 18 | 5:30 p.m. | Trey Busch and Danny Newcomb
- May 18 | 6:30 p.m. | Concert kickoff by Glen Phillips of Toad the Wet Sprocket
- May 19 | 5:30 p.m. | Trey Busch and Tomo Nakayama
- May 19 | 6:30 p.m. | Concert by LeRoy Bell
- May 20 | 5:30 p.m. | Trey Busch and Carrie Akre
- May 20 | 6:30 p.m. | Concert by Stephanie Ann Johnson
Wine Country Dinners:
- May 20 | 6:00 pm |Wine Country Dinner at Fiction@J. Bookwalter
- May 21 | 6:00 pm | Wine Country Dinner @ Hightower Cellars
Wine & Music Online Auction:
- May 18-23 | Bidding starts at 10 a.m. and closes at 5 p.m.
WHERE: Wine & Music Week will take place in person and online. Bookwalter Wine is located at894 Tulip Lane, Richland, WA 99352. Hightower Cellars is located at 19418 E 583 PR NE, Benton City, WA 99320
TICKETS: Registration for the online auction is now open. There is no charge to participate in the online or virtual events, and each dinner is priced at $150 pp, inclusive of service, taxes, and gratuity. To purchase tickets and for more information, visit https://auctionofwawines.org/events/.
ABOUT: Since its inception in 1988, AWW has raised more than $52 million to benefit Washington State University Viticulture & Enology Research, Seattle Children’s and the AWW Industry Grant. AWW is listed in the top five wine charity auctions in the U.S. by Wine Spectator. AWW’s mission is to support the growth and awareness of the Washington state wine industry through a series of celebrated events benefiting the community. The annual Auction of Washington Wines weekend will take place August 10–16, 2021. Key supporters for the 2021 season of events include John L. Scott Foundation, Ste Michelle Wine Estates, The Seattle Times, and Winebow Fine Wine & Spirits. For more information, visit http://www.auctionofwawines.org/ or follow on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
