Washington Winemaker Dinners Benefit Children's Hospital

SEATTLE -Winemaker Dinners raise funds for Children's Hospital & Regional Medical Center in Seattle, August 17, 2007. The 12 dinners are part of the three-day Roaring 20th Anniversary Celebration of the Auction of Washington Wines, August 16-18. They feature Washington winemakers and special guest chefs at exclusive, intimate venues around the Puget Sound region.

Diners have a selection of Winemaker Dinners from which to choose:

Private Madison Park Home, Seattle, WA - Yarrow Bay Grill and Beach Café at the Point award winning chefs Vicky McCaffree, Cameon Orel, and pastry chef Jessica Campbell, prepare a multi-course meal matched with wines produced by Auction of Washington Wines honorary vintner Brian Carter of Brian Carter Cellars, Mike Neuffer of Nicholas Cole Cellars, and John and Gretchen Bookwalter, of J. Bookwalter Winery.

Chambers Bay Golf Course, Tacoma, WA - newly opened on the shores of Puget Sound, Executive Chef Travis Todd is joined by award winning guest chef Scott Bryan of Veritas in New York City. The dinner is paired with wines presented by Alex and Jeannette Golitzin of Quilceda Creek, Gary McLean of Barons V and Jim Page of Page Cellars.

Columbia Winery, Woodinville, WA - 1920's Hollywood swank sets the mood for an evening of wine, food, entertainment, and music reminiscent of the Jazz Age. A gourmet meal presented by Chef Brad Dickinson of Daniels' Broiler is balanced with select wines from Kerry Norton of Columbia Winery, Kate Michaud of Covey Run Winery, Jean-Francois Pellet of Pepper Bridge Winery and Co Dinn from The Hogue Cellars.

DeLille Cellars, Woodinville, WA - DeLille partners and evening hosts Greg Lill, Jay Soloff and winemaker Chris Upchurch, along with Dave Merfeld of Northstar Winery, present outstanding wines paired with a impressive meal prepared by Metropolitan Grill Executive Chef Mark Hipkiss. Special guests are Auction co-chair Tod Leiweke and his wife Tara.

Private Home in Bellevue, WA - a Caribbean-inspired evening catered by Kaspar Donier of Kaspar's Special Events & Catering and with winemakers Bob and Cathy Betz of Betz Family Winery and Caleb Foster and Nina Buty Foster of Buty Winery. SOLD OUT.

Matthews Estate, Woodinville, WA - Matt Loso of Matthews Estate and Eric Dunham of Dunham Cellars partner with Ken and Robin Nydam of Arlington Road Cellars for a festive celebration a signature menu from El Gaucho(r) Chef John Broulette.

Private Waterfront Home in Gig Harbor, WA - outdoor dining with a panoramic view of the Puget Sound is paired with wines poured by Jarrod and Ali Boyle of Alexandria Nicole Cellars, Christophe and Maggie Hedges of Hedges Family Estate and Hope Moore of Heaven's Cave Cellars. Chef Bobby Moore of the Barking Frog will prepare an open-air epicurean feast.

Private Home in Bellevue, WA - wines of Walla Walla are represented by Marty Clubb of L'Ecole N° 41, Holly Turner of Three Rivers Winery, Chuck Reininger of Reininger and Rick Small of Woodward Canyon. Chef Jonathan Zimmer of Lisa Dupar Catering creates a masterpiece of a meal to match these outstanding wines.

Novelty Hill-Januik Winery in Woodinville, WA - a newly opened architectural marvel is the setting for a memorable evening of magnums, music and more with winery hosts Carolyn and Mike Januik, Charlie Hoppes of Fidelitas Winery, and Peggy and John Bigelow of JM Cellars, with Novelty Hill's acclaimed chef Charles Walpole, most recently of Seattle's restaurant Mistral.

Private Loft Residence in Seattle, WA - a sophisticated evening of art and craft at the downtown Seattle loft of an acclaimed artist and designer. Chris Sparkman of Sparkman Cellars, Rob Newsom of Boudreaux Cellars and Susan and Bob Neel of McCrea Cellars will curate their wines accompanied by a meal prepared by Chef Steve Cain of Waterfront Seafood Grill.

Private Yarrow Point Waterfront Home, Bellevue, WA - featuring four of Washington's hottest young winemakers: Mark McNeilly of Mark Ryan Winery, Trey Busch of Sleight of Hand Cellars, Chris Gorman of Gorman Wines and Tim Stevens of Stevens Winery. An exquisite menu of modern American cuisine is prepared by award winning Chef Jason Wilson of highly-acclaimed Crush restaurant. SOLD OUT.

Private Highlands Residence, Seattle WA - the Figgins family of Leonetti Cellar (owner Gary and wife Nancy, winemaker Chris and wife Heather) will pour their renowned wines alongside selections from Long Shadows resident winemaker Gilles Nicault. Philip Mihalski, chef/owner of Nell's, prepares an elegant menu. AWW Honorary Grower, Bill denHoed and his wife Jill of Vigneron Management, are special guests. SOLD OUT.

Winemaker event tickets are $225 per person. The Friday evening dinners are part of the Auction of Washington Wines, the wine industry's premier fundraiser, which supports uncompensated care at Children's Hospital & Regional Medical Center and the Washington Wine Education Foundation. For more information and tickets to the Winemaker dinners and other Auction of Washington Wine events, please call 206.667.9463 or click on www.auctionofwashingtonwines.org.

About the Auction of Washington Wines

The Auction of Washington Wines, a 501 (c)(3) non-profit, is the philanthropic organization of the Washington State wine industry and one of the top charity wine auctions in the nation. More than $17 million has been raised since the auction was founded in 1988. The 2007 Auction is co-chaired by Ted Baseler, President, Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, and Todd Leiweke, CEO, the Seattle Seahawks. Major sponsors include: Wine Spectator, Seattle Magazine, KING FM, Chateau Ste. Michelle, Viking, BMW Puget Sound Dealer Group & BMW of North America, John L. Scott Foundation, Vine Vertical, and Whole Foods Market.

About Children's Hospital & Regional Medical Center

Consistently ranked as one of the best children's hospitals in the country by U.S. News & World Report, Children's Hospital & Regional Medical Center serves as the pediatric referral center for Washington, Alaska, Montana and Idaho. Children's has been delivering superior patient care for 100 years, including advancing new discoveries and treatments in pediatric research, and serving as a primary teaching, clinical and research site for the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Washington School of Medicine. In 2007, the hospital is expected to provide over $43 million in uncompensated care to over 57,000 patients.

About the Washington Education Foundation

The Washington Wine Education Foundation aims to strengthen the quality and reputation of the Washington Wine industry by providing support toward a world class enology and viticulture research, education and training program specific to Washington State. A portion of funds raised during the Auction of Washington Wines goes toward scientific research in vineyards and fermentation, Washington-based educational programs that promote undergraduate and graduate degrees, and to farm worker and industry employee programs that promote health and safety. This educational group began collaborating in 2001 to create quality educational programs in winemaking and grape growing.