On October 2, 1988, the Auction of Northwest Wines debuts at Chateau Ste. Michelle in Woodinville. Over the next 37 years, the yearly auction will raise more than $68 million for Seattle Children's, wine research and education, and industry grants. In 2001, the name of the event will be changed to the Auction of Washington Wines.
Immediate Success
What began as the Auction of Northwest Wines in 1988, with more than 250 people in attendance at Chateau Ste. Michelle in Woodinville, grew to become one of the top five charity wine auctions in the country. As of 2025, the auction had raised more than $68 million in its first 37 years, beneficiaries of which included Seattle Children’s, the Washington State University Viticulture and Enology research and education programs, and the Auction of Washington Wines Industry Grant.
The inaugural auction was put on by the Enological Society of the Pacific Northwest, a new event added to the group’s roster to help promote the region’s wine industry. The evening included a buffet dinner catered from Ray’s Boathouse, and silent and live auctions. This first auction raised $20,000 for Seattle Children’s uncompensated care fund. The Enological Society also staged the following year’s auction in July 1989, which brought in $50,000. Also held at Chateau Ste. Michelle, the auction "attracted wine connoisseurs and writers from around the world. The wine aficionados are also in town for the World Vinifera Conference this week" ("This Tennis Auction ...").
After these two successful auctions, it was clear there was promise for the auction to continue growing. The Enological Society, with support from Allen Shoup (1943-2022), then CEO of Chateau Ste. Michelle, and the Washington Wine Commission (which had just been formed in 1987), passed along the organization of the event. As Gerry Warren, chairman of the first auction, reflected in a recent article, "We had a lot of help from Allen Shoup ... He could see the value in the thing growing and becoming something that it did. When it happened, it was like we planted a seed" ("The Auction of Washington ...").
The 1990 auction, held in September, was organized and managed by the Washington Wine Commission. In 1992, the nonprofit organization Northwest Wine Benefit Foundation was formed as an independent entity to produce the wine auction, with continued support from the Washington Wine Commission and Chateau Ste. Michelle.
The auction, as anticipated, did experience steady growth. Its 1998 event brought in $1,125,000, the first year it topped $1 million and a large jump from the $764,000 raised the previous year. In 2001 the auction was said to be the second-largest charity wine event in the country, behind the celebrated Napa Valley wine auction. Celebrated Seattle auctioneers Dick and Sharon Friel were fixtures of the auction for many years, Dick (1933-2010) having served as auctioneer going back to the inaugural event in 1988. They contributed a great deal to the energy level and enthusiasm at the auctions, encouraging generous bidding from delighted attendees.
Seattle Children’s uncompensated care fund has been among beneficiaries of funds raised from the auction since the beginning. Currently [2025], the Seattle Children’s support is also directed to the hospital’s clinic in the Tri Cities and its Homelessness Prevention Fund. Other beneficiaries include Washington State University's Viticulture and Enology program, and the Auction of Washington Wines Industry Grant. The auction’s grant partner, Vital Wines, supports employees of grape growers and wine producers. The auction also supports the Allen Shoup Memorial Fellowship, established in 2023 to honor the memory and legacy of Shoup, who died in 2022.
Name Change
In 2001, the auction’s name changed to the Auction of Washington Wines. When the auction began 14 years prior, the focus was on the broader region including Oregon and Idaho, because, as one article put it, "Washington, it was believed, lacked the star power to pull it off alone" ("'More Real' ..."). The same article noted that "The Washington wine industry is now hitting its stride with more collectors recognizing the value of acquiring the best of these wines. And it's hard to imagine a better venue for Washington wines to strut their stuff than at the Auction of Washington Wines" ("'More Real' ...").
The 2001 event saw the addition of a more casual and less expensive gathering in addition to the Saturday night gala. A picnic featured a mini live auction, and more-relaxed dining on barbecued salmon (prepared by Chateau Ste. Michelle’s chef John Sarich) and roasted suckling pig (prepared by Fandango chef Christine Keff). The picnic has become a mainstay of the auction events. It now includes a barrel auction, allowing guests to bid on cases of yet-to-be-released wines from a few dozen Washington wineries.
A more recent addition is TOAST!. Launched in 2022, this gathering celebrates those who’ve made great contributions to the industry at all levels. Among the awards presented are Lifetime Achievement, Emerging Leader, Wine Industry Champion, and Vine to Wine (vineyard manager or team member).
The constant through the auction’s 37-plus years is the Saturday night live auction, known as the Gala. The dress code softened a bit over the years from black-tie to cocktail attire. The event is still very much the elegant, celebratory showcase of Washington wine that raises funds for local causes. The amount raised from auction events exceeded $4 million in 2022, 2023, and 2024. A record $4.6 million was raised in 2019.
As quoted in a Wine Spectator article following the 2024 auction, which raised $4.25 million, the auction’s executive director Jamie Peha said, "What gives me the most satisfaction at our events is witnessing the camaraderie and unity that is so incredibly special within the Washington wine industry in the room, seeing our industry luminaries and generous donors ready for a party and excited to raise money for a good cause" ("Auction of Washington Wines Raises ...").
