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Published September 2005 |
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Washington Wine Commission’s 2005 PICNIC
By
Kathy Kongelbak
Washington State wineries were recently out in force on the
grounds of Chateau Ste. Michelle Estates in Woodinville, Washington,
pouring some of the top wines in the world at the “Washington Wine
Commission’s” yearly PICNIC charity event.
Men of the Washington Wine Industry, after hours...
2006 Calendar Gents (Matt Rawn, Two Mountains Winery; Don Townshend,
Townshend Winery; Christophe Hedges, Hedges Family Estates) pour
some of their top wines during this year's PICNIC wine
auction/dinner at Chateau Ste. Michelle, Woodinville, WA.
Winery representatives, mainly winemakers, canvassed the Estate,
mingling with hundreds of wine enthusiasts while dispensing tastes
of their wines from 750s and Mags (1.5 liter bottles).
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Along with wine, guests enjoyed live music from “Shelly & the
Curves” and country-styled all-you-can-eat gourment picnic dinners
by the “MTM Luxury Lodging Group.” Patrons could also bid on a host
of silent auction items including wines, tours, dinners, cruises,
artwork and a “fun” “United Wine Drinkers of America”
local #509 and #206 union membership kits. This was my first
year attending PICNIC, and the amazing team, lead by Carol Munro
and |
A selection of the wines poured |
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Kristen Winn somehow created, even with such a large turnout, a
truly playful and relaxed picnic environment. The night was
complete with picnic bags for each guest, deluxe-sized folding
chairs, clowns, fairway games, a popcorn cart and gourment
ice cream cones for dessert. To me the overall feeling offered a
wonderful example of the best of all worlds-- fantastic wine and
food, a gorgeous location, good tunes and zero snobbery. I am going
to say it right now—if you love Washington wines and succulent food,
this event is a “can’t miss” next year.
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PICNIC is part of a weekend series of events held by “The
Washington Wine Commission.” This year there were three days of
events, with a new evening of winemaker’s dinners on night two,
and the classic GALA dinner on night three. Over the three
evenings a record amount of $1.9 million was |
A few of the auction lots |
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raised—an increase of 20% from last years totals. Moreover,
according to “Wine Spectator’s” annual charity auction review, the
“Auction of Washington Wines Weekend” is one of the top five
charity wine auctions in the nation—raising more than $13.5
million to date. Host winery Chateau Ste. Michelle, was voted
“American Winery of the Year 2004” by “Wine Enthusiast Magazine,”
and “2005 Winery of the Year” by “Restaurant Wine Magazine.”
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Proceeds from PICNIC
benefit uncompensated care
for patients and
families at Children’s Hospital & Regional Medical Center in
Seattle, Washington. “Children’s” provides medical services to
kids up to age 21 from families of any financial status in
Washington, Alaska, Montana |
Guests won bottles of wine when they "ringed"
them at the ring toss table. |
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and Idaho. Proceeds from the PICNIC also go to the
Washington Wine Education Foundation. The foundation helps support
formal viticulture and enology education at Washington State
University, Yakima Valley Community College and Walla Walla
Community College.
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Kathy Kongelbak
www.winestyle.com
Photos courtesy of "Chicago Clix!"
For more information on PICNIC and
the “Auction of Washington Wines Weekend” please go to:
www.washingtonwine.org
To view more of what’s going on in Washington Wine
Country check out: www.pictage.com.
Under “Find your Event" type in one of the following categories:
Wine Art, Taste Washington Spokane, Red Mountain, Picnic 2005, A
Night Out, Harvest 2005, Hedges Wave, Taste Washington Tri-Cities,
Wine Country. |
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Kathy Kongelbak is a Contributor to WineSquire.com
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