Close Menu
  • News
  • Stocks
  • Bonds
  • Commodities
  • Collectables
    • Art
    • Classic Cars
    • Whiskey
    • Wine
  • Trading
  • Alternative Investment
  • Markets
  • More
    • Economy
    • Money
    • Business
    • Personal Finance
    • Investing
    • Financial Planning
    • ETFs
    • Equities
    • Funds

Subscribe to Updates

Get the latest markets and assets news and updates directly to your inbox.

Trending Now

Artist Sues Chris Levine Over Credit for Iconic Queen Portraits

October 25, 2025

Crypto Market Update: FalconX to Buy 21Shares, Senate Democrats Call Out Trump Envoy

October 25, 2025

Kraftwerk Cofounder’s Vintage Electronic Gear and Ephemera Go Up for Auction

October 25, 2025
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
The Asset ObserverThe Asset Observer
Newsletter
LIVE MARKET DATA
  • News
  • Stocks
  • Bonds
  • Commodities
  • Collectables
    • Art
    • Classic Cars
    • Whiskey
    • Wine
  • Trading
  • Alternative Investment
  • Markets
  • More
    • Economy
    • Money
    • Business
    • Personal Finance
    • Investing
    • Financial Planning
    • ETFs
    • Equities
    • Funds
The Asset ObserverThe Asset Observer
Home»Wine
Wine

Barrels, Beneficiaries and a Bear: Auction of Washington Wines Raises $4 Million

News RoomBy News RoomOctober 3, 2025
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

The Auction of Washington Wines raised just over $4 million for charity during a three-day soiree Aug. 14 to 16 in Woodinville, bringing together winemakers and consumers for a weekend of great food, wine and lively bidding. Since its debut in 1988, Auction of Washington Wines has raised over $72 million. This year marked the fourth consecutive time the total was more than $4 million—last year’s event raised $4.25 million. The money raised goes to beneficiaries Seattle Children’s Hospital, Washington State University’s Viticulture and Enology program and industry grant partner Vital Wines, which provides healthcare and other resources to vineyard workers.

“I am deeply grateful to our wineries, donors and community for their generosity, which ensures a lasting impact for Seattle Children’s, WSU’s Viticulture & Enology department and Vital Wines,” said Jamie Peha, executive director of the auction, in a statement.

[article-img-container][src=2025-09/ns_washington-auction-barrels-092625_1600.jpg] [credit= (Curbow Photo) ] [alt= Bids are placed for Washington wine barrels at the 2025 Winemaker Picnic and Barrel Auction.][end: article-img-container]

The weekend of festivities was highlighted by two days of bidding. On Aug. 15, Chateau Ste. Michelle hosted the Winemaker Picnic and Barrel Auction for more than 1,000 guests. Attendees sampled small bites from local chefs and wines from top local wineries. The Barrel Auction raised $125,500, as 35 wineries offered 175 exclusive lots of aging wines. The top lots were from Upchurch Vineyard, which sold two cases at $1,600 and $1,500, Dossier Wine Collective, which sold one at $1,500, and Cairdeas Winery, which sold one at $1,400. The winning bidders received the winery’s barrel head in addition to their wine.

Star Vintner Power

The gala live auction kicked off at the Hyatt Bellevue on Aug. 16 with honorary chair and actor Kyle MacLachlan of local winery Pursued By Bear addressing the crowd. “It’s a joy to come together tonight to celebrate this community,” he said. “We are stronger together than as individuals. That’s the way we do things in the Washington wine world, we support each other.”

[article-img-container][src=2025-09/ns_washington-auction-maclachlan-lot-092625_1600.jpg] [credit= (Curbow Photo) ] [alt= Actor Kyle MacLachlan and auctioneers Fred Northup Jr. and Matt Lorch at the 2025 Auction of Washington Wines.][end: article-img-container]

Auctioneers Fred Northup Jr. and Matt Lorch led the spirited live auction and online bidding after the gala’s reception and dinner. The top lot, offered by MacLachlan and Pursued By Bear, included wine and a 5-night stay in Bordeaux with MacLachlan. The winning bidder will also visit and take private tours of Château Margaux, Château Lynch Bages, Château Haut-Bailly and Château d’Yquem. The lot sold for $140,000.

Another top lot was sold by Marchese Antinori for $90,000. The owner of Col Solare in Washinton’s Red Mountain and Antinori in Napa Valley offered a guided visit of each winery with Antinori’s chief enologist and CEO Renzo Cotarella, as well as veteran Washington winemaker Bob Betz.

During a paddle raise, auction patrons Stuart and Susan Kuehne made a $250,000 gift, a record donation. Multiple $100,000 gifts followed to loud applauses in the room. In total, the Gala raised over $3 million. “I have been involved with the Auction of Washington Wines in different capacities since 2001,” said Jean-François Pellet of Pepper Bridge Winery and Amavi Cellars, this year’s honorary vintner. “The feel in the room at the Gala was quite electric, everyone had so much fun, and the final results proved it.”


Want to get the latest news on collectible wines and the auction market? Sign up for Wine Spectator‘s free Collecting e-mail newsletter and get a new top-rated wine review, collecting Q&As and more, delivered straight to your inbox every other week!

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email

Keep Reading

Can mountain ageing take Valtellina’s wines to new heights?

The charm of wine labels: Do they matter more than what’s inside?

Two British Men Plead Guilty to a $99 Million Wine Ponzi Scheme

Our expert reveals the best hacks to buying wine online

Introducing the DWWA Resident Co-Chair: Welcoming Caro Maurer MW

Krug and composer Max Richter pay musical tribute to Champagne’s superb 2008 vintage

Italy’s Finest Wines: The DWWA Best in Show masterclass at VinItaly USA

Leona de Pasquale named ‘Wine Professional of the Year’ at the 2025 BIH Spotlight Awards

‘Come on! My husband is on the front line; we live in constant stress. My mental health is strong enough to handle this. But they still need to do their job.’ Ukrainian Wine Co’s shock at police ‘inaction’ to wine theft

Recent Posts
  • Artist Sues Chris Levine Over Credit for Iconic Queen Portraits
  • Crypto Market Update: FalconX to Buy 21Shares, Senate Democrats Call Out Trump Envoy
  • Kraftwerk Cofounder’s Vintage Electronic Gear and Ephemera Go Up for Auction
  • Van Gogh’s exuberant ‘Tarascon Stagecoach’ will be donated to a Los Angeles museum – The Art Newspaper
  • Silver Market Outlook for Investors

Subscribe to Newsletter

Get the latest markets and assets news and updates directly to your inbox.

Editors Picks

Crypto Market Update: FalconX to Buy 21Shares, Senate Democrats Call Out Trump Envoy

October 25, 2025

Kraftwerk Cofounder’s Vintage Electronic Gear and Ephemera Go Up for Auction

October 25, 2025

Van Gogh’s exuberant ‘Tarascon Stagecoach’ will be donated to a Los Angeles museum – The Art Newspaper

October 25, 2025

Silver Market Outlook for Investors

October 25, 2025

The Satellite Fairs Stealing the Spotlight During Paris Art Week 2025

October 24, 2025
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
© 2025 The Asset Observer. All Rights Reserved.
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms
  • Press Release
  • Advertise
  • Contact

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.