WOODINVILLE, Wash. – Saturday, Jan. 30, 2010, is the date for the ninth annual “Celebrate Washington Wine” gala dinner and auction to benefit the Washington State University Viticulture and Enology Program.
To date, the annual black-tie event has netted more than $1 million to help build the WSU program that provides scientific research to support Washington state’s growing wine industry, and educates the next generation of winemakers and grape growers.
The event is held at the Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery in Woodinville, and is known for the intimate setting and the unique and diverse selection of items, adventures, and experiences offered in both silent and live auctions.
Popular items on the block in past auctions have included an acrobatic flight over Puget Sound in a classic biplane, dinner for ten in the Boeing suite at Seattle’s historic Fairmont hotel hosted by the president of the Boeing Commercial Airplane Company, golf trips, international travel, and, of course, exclusive dinners and wine tasting events.
For wine lovers, the popular CEO Collection, cases comprised of Washington wine favorites donated by business and community leaders, will be back for the 2010 auction. New this year will be the Women in Wine Collection comprised of wines donated by women in the winemaking and grape growing business as well as by women who are business and community leaders.
Also being added this year is an online auction and the ability to donate items to the auction via the web site.
The event has sold out in past years, so early registration is recommended. Tickets are $250 each, or $2,500 to sponsor a table of ten.
Online registration and more information, including details on how to donate auction items or become an event sponsor, are available at http://www.wineauction.wsu.edu.
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