This is part one of our coverage of the Auction of Washington Wines 2025. This podcast covers the 4^th annual TOAST event at Sparkman Cellars in Woodinville, which honored some of the Washington Wine industry’s best and brightest. The Winemakers Barrel Auction and Picnic follows at Chateau Ste. Michelle. The weekend finishes with the GALA raising $4 million which benefits Seattle Children’s Hospital, Washington State University’s Viticulture and Enology Department and Washington Wines Grant Partner Vital Wines. Be sure to watch the video on our YouTube channel.

The list of Washington wine professionals as they appear:

Jamie Peha-Executive Director Auction of Washington Wines

Katie Maltais-Incoming Director Auction of Washington Wines

Kelsey Albro Itämeri-Itä Wines

Sidney Rice-Dossier Wine

John Patterson-Patterson Cellars

Lacey & Charlie Lybecker-Cairdeas Winery

Javier Alfonso-Pomum Winery

Alex Stewart-Tenor Wines

Chris Peterson-Avennia Wines

Jürgen Grieb-Trevari Cellars

Kerry Shiels-Cote Bonneville/DuBruel Vineyard

Ashley Trout-Brook & Bull Wines/Vital Wines

Learn more by visiting auctionofwawines.org or washingtonwine.org

Why are Winemakers always smiling?  Watch the video and see!

This is part five of our series where I ask winemakers “What is the one question you’ve never been asked, that you’d like to be asked”. Always fun answers and maybe bit of food for thought.

Winemakers in order of appearance:

Paula Kornell-Paula Kornell Sparkling Wine, Napa Valley

Mike Sullivan-Benovia Winery, Sonoma County

Rémi Vervier-Champagne Palmer, Champagne, France

Erin Rasmussen-American Wine Project, Mineral Point, Wisconsin

Blair Guthrie-Guthrie Family Winery, Sonoma County

Chris Benziger-Benziger Family Winery, Glen Ellen

Mark McWilliams-Arista Winery, Sonoma County

Cyrus Hazzard-Crocker & Starr, Napa Valley

James Foster-Concannon Vineyard, Livermore Valley

Rhonda Wood-Wood Family Vineyards, Livermore Valley

Dan Kosta-DK Wine Group, Sonoma County

Marla Bedrosian-Domaine de la Riviére, Sonoma County

Darcie Kent-Darcie Kent Estate, Livermore Valley

Matt Meineke-M Cellars, Harpersfield, Grand River Valley, Ohio

Martha Barra-Barra of Mendocino, Redwood Valley

Jessica Carroll-JMC Cellars, Livermore Valley

Noah Taylor-Retzlaff Vineyards, Livermore Valley

This week on our Vino Lingo segment we feature Evan Merriam, Estate Manager, Merriam Vineyards, Healdsburg, defining the term “Alive”.  Learn more by visiting merriamvineyards.com