Wine Auction, End of Food Author

Another Successful “A Celebration of Washington Wines” Event Benefits WSU

For the eighth consecutive year, the annual gala “A Celebration of Washington Wines” dinner and auction held Saturday has both celebrated Washington’s wine industry and raised funds for the WSU Viticulture and Enology Program.

The final numbers aren’t in yet, but the event is once again being deemed a success.

Attendance was somewhat lower than in recent years, but the generosity of those attending is deeply appreciated, according Dan Bernardo, dean of the WSU College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences.

“Washington’s wine industry remains a bright spot in our state’s economy, and we deeply appreciate the generosity of those who attended in supporting the WSU program that provides the research and training that supports the industry,” Bernardo said. “In the current economic climate, the showing of support is even more critical and even more appreciated.”

Bernardo also extended special thanks to Ted Baseler, the president and CEO of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates and Cougar alum, for once again hosting the gala dinner and auction.

“Each year, our auction demonstrates the strong support in the wine community for what we want to achieve at WSU,” said Baseler. “This is the road to building a world-class program.”

At the start of this year’s festivities, Baseler announced that Ste. Michelle had recently undertaken a special effort to raise additional funds for the Viticulture and Enology Program through restaurant sales of its wines. The effort added $40,000 to the auction proceeds.

Washington’s wine industry contributes an estimated $3 billion annually to the state’s economy, and has grown to include nearly 600 wineries and more than 30,000 acres in wine grape production.

For more information about WSU’s program in viticulture and enology, please visit: http://wine.wsu.edu/

To subscribe to our biweekly e-newsletter about viticulture and enology research and education, please visit: http://wine.wsu.edu/vinevoice/.

“The End of Food” Author to Speak at WSU Extension Symposium

Global food challenges, agricultural sustainability, obesity among some and starvation among others are just a few of the issues that Paul Roberts, author of the now-renowned “The End of Oil,” will discuss at the WSU Extension Symposium: Relentless Pursuit of a Healthier World on March 11. The symposium, part of WSU Extension’s All Extension Conference, will be delivered via distance technology from WSU’s Pullman campus to seven different sites around the state. Information about each site and online registration will soon be available at http://ext.wsu.edu/aec/. The symposium is free and open to the public. Individuals can register if they are interested in lunch.

Roberts contends that the emergence of large-scale and efficient food production has forever changed our relationship with food and ultimately has “left a vulnerable and paradoxical system in place.” He will discuss his new book, “The End of Food,” at the symposium.