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| Douglas Howe, Robin DuBrin, Eric Dunham |
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| Eric Dunham, Brian Vowinkel, Ken Hatch |
On Saturday evening, the hottest day in the last 365 days,
Ken and I attended the
Auction of Washington Wines Gala at
Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery. The event was held in a big tent. The tent was very hot so the guests were all pleased to find a fan at each place when they sat down. Both men and women were waving their fans vigorously during the early part of the evening until the temperature cooled a bit and became more comfortable.
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| Vladlinna & Eric Fulton, Peggy Reddy |
The theme of the
Gala was
"be WOW'd with the best wines of Washington" and following some very entertaining video clips of local celebrities drinking Washington wines, it kicked off with a high-energy original song written and performed by entertainer/composer,
Richard Gray and a cast of entertainers and winemakers. All of the proceeds of the evening benefitted uncompensated care at
Seattle Children's Hospital and the
Washington Wine Education Foundation.
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| Ben Smith, Gaye McNutt, Mary Holmes |
ZINO Society organized two tables of members and friends and our assigned winemakers included
Gaye McNutt and
Ben Smith of
Cadence Winery,
Eric Dunham of
Dunham Cellars and
Anna Schafer of
àMaurice Winery. Each winemaker brought wine to share with their tablemates.
Anna Schafer brought the new release of her
àMaurice Viognier
Sparrow, but we didn't get to taste it because it flew away when she left it unattended for a few minutes.
Seated at our tables in addition to the winemakers, were
Amin & Afshan Lakha,
Bob Cremin,
Douglas Howe & Robin DuBrin,
Carole Ellison,
Mary Holmes,
Brian Vowinkel,
Sherri Rogalski,
Eric & Vladlinna Fulton,
Joe & Betty Sasenick and
Peggy Reddy.
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| Sam Baker, Sandra Fowler |
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| Ken with Joyce Taylor |
Some of the additional
ZINO Society members and other friends participating in the festivities included
Ron & Bonnie Elgin,
Ted & Joanne Baseler,
Michael & Patti Brustkern,
Steve & Bridget Greissel,
Patti Payne,
Gordy Prouty,
Sam Baker,
Sandra Fowler,
Ernie Pino,
Connie Blumenthal,
Duell Fisher,
Stacy & Greg L
ill,
Bob & Cathy Betz,
Joyce Taylor,
Norm & Virginia McKibben,
Dick Boushey,
Chad & Jennifer McKay. By the way, following the auction when the music started,
Jennifer was my favorite dance partner!
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| Rich Gray and Flash Mob |
The
Auction Gala turned out to be a huge success under the leadership of new Executive Director of
Auction of Washington Wines,
Sherri Swingle, with $500,000 raised during the "Raise the Paddle" segment and a total of $1.5 million for the entire event. We were all WOW'd!
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