EDITOR’S NOTE: To promote your wine event on our Calendar of Events, simply e-mail the specifics about the event to: chuck@discoverwashingtonwine.com. It’s best to send the information about your event a minimum of 30 days in advance.
Arbor Crest Wine Cellars Announces Dates
for 2022 Live Summer Concert Series
Arbor Crest Wine Cellars of Spokane has announced its live summer concert dates for 2022. The concerts, which spotlight well-known as well as up and coming entertainers, will again be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Sunday and Thursday evenings through Sept. 29. It’s your chance to enjoy fresh air, amazing views, and the food and wine you’ve come to expect from Arbor Crest.
Following is a list of concert dates through July 31st.
Sunday Concerts – May 15, Triple Threat (Classic Rock/Country; May 22, Macey Gard (Pop/Dance); May 29, Spare Parts (Pop/Rock); June 5, Super Chrome – Kosh (Contemporary & Classic Pop); June 12, CDA Big Band (Jazz/Swing); June 19, Nu Jack City (Motown); June 26, Grand Avenue Band (70s-90s Hits); July 3, One Street Over (Pop/Rock/Blues); July 10, Sara Brown Band (R&B); July 17, Rhythm Dawgs (Top 40s Dance); July 24, Soul Proprietor (Urban Soul), July 31, Justin James Band (Country/Rock/Soul).
Thursday Concerts – May 19, Ron and the Ronaldo’s (60s-Current Hits); May 26, Ron Greene (Groovy Blues); June 2, Jonathon Tibbetts (Indie Folk); June 9, Justin James (Country/Rock/Soul); June 16, Kaitlyn Weins (Neo Soul); June 23, Swing Set-Craig Catlett (70s-Current Hits); June 30, Kosh (Contemporary & Classic Pop); July 7, Current Flow – Isaac Walton (Alt Rock); July 14, Maiah Wynne (Folk Rock/Indie); July 21, Robert Vaughn (Jazz/R&B); July 28, Christy Lee (Country).
All guests must be 21 or older and purchase a General Admission Ticket for admittance to the concert grounds. Tickets are $8 for Thursday concerts and $15 for Sunday concerts.
If you want to add a more upscale option to your concert experience, reserved VIP seating is available for each concert, offering you and your guests the comfort of table seating and staffed food and wine service. For more information about the reserved seating option, call the winery at (509) 927-9463, or visit: www.arborcrest.com/concerts.
Auction of Washington Wines Returns
for 35th Year of In-Person Charitable Events
The Auction of Washington Wines (AWW), a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing awareness of the Washington wine industry, announces a return to in-person events just in time for its 35th Anniversary.
Headlining this year’s series of charitable events will be the annual Winemaker Picnic & Barrel Auction and the much-anticipated Gala at Chateau Ste. Michelle in August.
Proceeds from this year’s events will benefit Washington State University Viticulture & Enology Research at the Wine Science Center in Richland, WA., Seattle Children’s Tri-Cities Clinic, and Industry Grant Partner Vital Wines.
“We are proud to be a champion for the Washington wine industry while supporting the amazing work done by our three beneficiaries,” said Jamie Peha, executive director of AWW. “After moving to virtual, online, and smaller events over the last two years, we are thrilled to welcome people back to in-person events for the full Washington wine experience.”
Leading off AWW’s series of August events will be a Virtual Private Barrel Auction on Aug 8. Open to trade and collectors by invitation only, the auction will feature 20-plus premium Washington wineries offering five-case lots for exclusive ownership. This event is presented by Winebow Fine Wines + Spirits. Look for a series of participating winemaker interviews via Zoom, hosted by Master of Wine, Bob Betz. Qualified trade can register now at www.auctionofwawines.org/events/private-barrel-auction.
New this year, in honor of the 35th Anniversary of the Auction of Washington Wines, the wine industry will gather at Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery to toast past and present AWW honorees, established industry luminaries, and emerging leaders. The event, which will be held on Thursday, Aug. 11, will recognize Marchese Piero Antinori, Honorary President of Marchesi Antinori; Renzo Cotarella, CEO of Marchese Antinori; and Marvin Shanken, Editor and Publisher of Wine Spectator Magazine and Chairman of M. Shanken Communications as AWW Honorary Chairs for 2022.
Attendees will be treated to a multi-course dinner paired with award-winning Washington wines and be given the opportunity to raise a glass in celebration of the people who keep the community thriving and moving toward the future. Capacity for this event is 200. To purchase tickets for this event, visit: www.auctionofwawines.org.
AWW’s annual Winemaker Picnic & Barrel Auction will be held on Friday, Aug. 12. The organization’s largest wine and culinary event returns to the beautiful grounds of Chateau Ste. Michelle. The open-air event will feature winemakers who will “roam and pour” tastes of wine, and more than 100 wines will be available at the tasting bars throughout the grounds.
At the picnic, attendees will enjoy global BBQ, featuring Korean, Indian, and southern style, as well as sweet bites. Meet, mingle, and enjoy a summer evening of Washington wine with games of chance and the opportunity to bid on cases of wine from 30 Washington Wineries in the Barrel Auction – all benefiting the industry and community. Capacity for this event is 1,200. You can purchase tickets for this event now at www.auctionofwawines.org.
And then, on Saturday, Aug. 13, the 35th Annual Gala will take center stage. This special evening at Chateau Ste. Michelle begins with a culinary social hour with Washington wine tasting bars, a mini-barrel auction headlining luxury wine brands, and 60 winemaker-hosted tables pouring during a four-course seated dinner.
Attendees will be able to bid on 25 exclusive live auction items featuring Washington wineries. The Gala after-party under the stars will cap the evening with a live music performance from local favorite The Dusty 45’s, dancing, and a not-to-be-missed dessert bar. Capacity for this event is 600.
In addition, a virtual Gala Online Auction will run from August 9-13 with more than 150 auction lots from Washington wineries that will include exclusive bottles, wine travel, and culinary and wine experiences.
About the Auction of Washington Wines
Since its inception in 1988, AWW has raised nearly $55 million to benefit Seattle Children’s, Washington State University Viticulture & Enology Research, and the AWW Industry Grant. AWW is listed in the top five wine charity auctions in the U.S. by Wine Spectator. It’s mission is to support the growth and awareness of the Washington state wine industry through a series of celebrated events benefiting the community. Key supporters for the 2022 season of events include Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, The Seattle Times, PNC Bank and Winebow Fine Wine & Spirits. For more information about AWW and updates about bidding registration, visit www.auctionofwawines.org.
Next Episode of “Sommlight” Series
Scheduled for Wednesday, June 1
Make sure to check out the next episode of the Washington Wine Commission’s “Sommlight Series.” Featuring Brooks Fraser, Front of House Team at Salt of the Earth Bistro in Lake Placid, N.Y.,, the episode will be aired on Wednesday, June 1st. 
Hosted by the Wine Commission’s Marketing Director David Flaherty, “Sommlight” was launched in July of 2020 as a weekly series of virtual conversations with well-known sommeliers and other wine professionals. Beginning in January, 2021, however, the frequency of episodes was changed to twice a month. And in May, 2021, the frequency of episodes changed to once a month.
“Sommlight unveils the other side of sommeliers and wine professionals, showcasing their humor, humanity and depth,” Flaherty explains. “Sommeliers are so professional by nature that it’s been fascinating to pull back the curtain a bit, have some fun, and reveal the complexities and unique qualities everyone can relate to,” Flaherty added. “We have an opportunity to showcase some of our favorite people in the wine business that are forging unique paths and inspiring so many of us.”
The “Sommlight” Series is available on every platform, and in multiple forms. While it is primarily run as an IGTV series with episodes ranging from 12 to 16 minutes, you can also experience one-minute teasers on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and even a long-form podcast version of each episode (40+ minutes) on the Sommlight website —https://www.washingtonwine.org/sommlight— through Apple Podcasts and Spotify. If you have missed any of the 38 episodes that have aired since July 30, 2020, you may watch any or all episodes by visiting the Sommlight website. Following is a list of the 19 episodes that have aired since January 12, 2021.
- Annette Alvarez-Peters – Episode 21 – Aired January 12, 2021
- Alisha Blackwell-Calvert – Episode 22 – Aired January 26, 2021
- Chris McFall – Episode 23 – Aired February 9, 2021
- Beth Hickey – Episode 24 – Aired February 23, 2021
- Lenny Redé – Episode 25 – Aired March 9, 2021
- Wendy Shoemaker – Episode 26 – Aired March 23, 2021
- Kim Cavoores – Episode 27 – Aired April 6, 2021
- Yannick Benjamin – Episode 28 – Aired April 20, 2021
- Nick Davis — Episode 29 — Aired on May 11, 2021
- Madeline Puckette — Episode 30 — Aired on June 1, 2021.
- Jennifer Estevez — Episode 31 — Aired on July 6,2021
- Cara De Lavallade – Episode 32 – Aired on Aug. 3,2021
- Greg Rubin – Episode 33 – Aired on Sept. 7, 2021
- Kaitlyn Duke – Episode 34 – Aired on Oct. 5,2021
- Chris Horn – Episode 35 – Aired on Nov. 2, 2021
- Chris Tanghe – Episode 36 – Aired on Dec 7, 2021
- Tonya Pitts — Episode 37 — Airied on Jan. 12, 2022
- Eugenio Jardim — Episode 38 — Aired on Feb. 2, 2022
- Scott Ota — Episode 39 — Aired on April 20, 2022
- Brooks Fraser — Episode 40 — Airing on Wednesday, June 1, 2020
For more information about the Sommlight series, contact Heather Bradshaw, Communications Director, Washington State Wine Commission at (206) 495-5844 or email Heather at: hbradshaw@washingtonwine.org.
Seattle Wine Girl to Host White Wine Pairing
Event June 4 at Seattle’s Old Rainier Brewery
Kelli Brown, aka Seattle Wine Girl, has announced that she will be hosting a Summer White Wine Pairing Event on Saturday, June 4 at the Factory Luxe (the old Rainier Brewery building) located at 3100 Airport Way South in Seattle. The event will run from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Seattle Wine Girl will provide six wines to taste (including a couple of Rosés) as well as a glass of “Welcome Bubbly.” Each tasting will be paired with a delicious serving of gourmet pizza from Veraci “Seattle Local” Pizza while education about the wines is being provided during your tasting.
All bubbles and wines being showcased at the event are from SODO Urban Works wineries, including Rotie Cellars/Michael Florentino Old World Wines, Nine Hats Winery, Structure Cellars and Sleight of Hand Cellars.
In addition to wine and pizza, the event will feature live music by Ian Skavdahl and a social hour at the end of the tasting so that guests can continue enjoying the music, revisit any of the wines and/or pizzas and just be social.
Guests will also receive special discounts at the SODO Urban Works wineries post-event by showing their event tickets.
Tickets for the event, which are $70 per person, can be purchased by clicking https://www.eventbrite.com/e/summer-white-wine-tasting-pairing-wgourmet-pizzaby-seattle-wine-girl-tickets-320242292317.
For more information about the event, contact Kelli Brown at: seattlewinegirl@gmail.com.
Celebrate Walla Walla Valley Wine Returns
With Three-Day Event Focused on Syrah
Tickets are now on sale for the Walla Walla Valley’s signature wine event, Celebrate Walla Walla Valley Wine, a three-day event that will run from Thursday, July 14 through Saturday, July 16.
Celebrate showcases a different wine varietal each year, comparing and sharing the similarities and differences of the Walla Walla Valley with other leading wine regions around the world. The 2022 event will focus on celebrating Syrah, the second most widely grown grape variety in the wine region.
“Walla Walla Valley Syrah has earned a world-class reputation for delivering a premium, terroir driven wine experience,” said Robert Hansen, Executive Director of Walla Walla Valley Wine. “We look forward to honoring this distinguished varietal after a two-year pause. There is no better time to meet face-to-face with winemakers who are pushing the boundaries of Walla Walla Valley Syrah than during Celebrate.”
Celebrate will commence on Thursday afternoon, July 14 with a kick-off lecture that will explore the historical and cultural significance of Syrah, followed by Vintage Pour, an exclusive library tasting. Vintage Pour will feature vintages aged for ten years and longer from over 40 Walla Walla Valley wineries.
On Friday, July 15, guests will be treated to a global wine panel featuring winemakers from around the world who will join Walla Walla Valley winemakers to engage guests in a lively discussion on acclaimed Syrah growing regions paired with samples of each panelist’s wine.
The Wine Panel Presentation and Tasting is an immersive experience that demonstrates how wines vary among the world’s leading regions. Friday culminates with a Collaborative Winemaker Dinner Series. Ticket holders will experience an exclusive evening in the Walla Walla Valley as winemakers and chefs come together to create intimate food and wine experiences at locations throughout the region.
Celebrate concludes on Saturday, July 16 with the Syrah Grand Tasting, the largest organized tasting event of the year in the Walla Walla Valley with roughly 50 wineries pouring their latest Syrah releases, white wines, sparkling wines and rosés.
“The enthusiasm surrounding Syrah continues to grow, and we are excited to welcome wine enthusiasts to the Walla Walla Valley to celebrate with us this summer,” Hansen exclaimed.
For more event details, including participating wineries, event speakers, dinner locations and how to purchase tickets visit: www.wallawallawine.com/celebrate.
Schedule at a Glance
Thursday, July 14
Kick-Off Event at Gesa Power House Theatre | 2:30-4:00 p.m.
Vintage Pour at CAVU Cellars | 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Friday, July 15
Wine Panel Presentation & Tasting at Marcus Whitman Hotel & Conference Center | 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Collaborative Winemaker Dinner Series throughout the Walla Walla Valley | 6:00-9:00 p.m.
Saturday, July 16
Syrah Grand Wine Tasting* at Valdemar Estates | 4:30-6:30 p.m. *VIP Experience for Super Pass Holders starts at 3:30 p.m.
About Celebrate Walla Walla Valley Wine
Formed by Walla Walla Valley Wine in 2013, Celebrate Walla Walla Valley Wine is the region’s signature wine event. The event series is structured to showcase a different wine varietal each year, historically focusing on Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Merlot. Over the course of three days, the events demonstrate how wines can vary among the world’s leading regions resulting from different growing conditions, winemaking styles, and vineyards through special tastings of rare vintage wines, educational seminars, and one-of-a-kind winemaker dinners.
Collaborative Winemaker Dinners Announced
for Celebrate Walla Walla Valley Wine Event
As part of Walla Walla Wine Valley’s 2022 Celebrate event, 10 collaborative winemaker dinners will be hosted by Walla Walla Valley wineries on Friday, July 15. Guests will be immersed in an exclusive evening featuring extraordinary food and wine experiences sponsored by the following wineries:
- Canvasback & L’Ecole N° 41 with Chef Penny Addison
- Caprio Cellars, Amavi Cellars & Pepper Bridge Winery with Chef Ian Williams
- College Cellars of Walla Walla, Explohr Wine Company, Hoquetus Wine Company, itä wines & SMAK Wines with Wine Country Culinary Institute
- KINHAVEN, Brook & Bull Cellars & Vital Wines with Walla Walla Steak Co.
- Kontos Cellars & Otis Kenyon Wine with Chef Maximillian Petty of The Kinglet
- Time & Direction & Lagana Cellars with Chef Nathan Carlson of WTF Eat It
- REININGER Winery & Tamarack Cellars with Chef Emry Kleck of The Q Wood-Fired Grill
- Sleight of Hand Cellars, DAMA Wines & Denner Vineyards with Chef Andrae Bopp
- Waterbrook Winery & Browne Family Vineyards with Chef de Cuisine Alex Leeper
- Woodward Canyon & Echolands Winery (chef to be announced)
Historically hosted on the Saturday evening of Celebrate, this year the dinners have moved to Friday night from 6:00-9:00 PM. This schedule change provides attendees the opportunity to meet fellow eventgoers and members of the wine community in a relaxed setting, prior to the Celebrate grand finale on Saturday afternoon – the Syrah Grand Tasting.
“The Collaborative Winemaker Dinner Series is the most intimate event of the Celebrate weekend, offering attendees an insider’s experience to the food and wine scene of the Walla Walla Valley. It’s a rare opportunity to wine and dine with winemakers while enjoying cuisine prepared by celebrated chefs,” said Robert Hansen, Executive Director of Walla Walla Valley Wine.
Visit www.WallaWallaWine.com/Winemaker-Dinners/ to learn more about the dinners and to purchase tickets.
