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$3.2 Million Raised at 2015 Classic Wines Auction to Boost Local Charities

Portland, March 7th, 2015. The 31st Annual Classic Wines Auction (CWA) raised almost $3.2 million for charities in Portland and southwest Washington. Former New England Patriots Quarterback and Proprietor of Doubleback Winery, Drew Bledsoe, was bidding during the live auction. More than 875 people attended the event at the Oregon Convention Center. Fundraising from this year’s auction, and related events, benefit five charity partners dedicated to helping youth and families in the metro area: Metropolitan Family Service, New Avenues for Youth, Friends of the Children-Portland, YWCA Clark County and Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel.

Roger Hinshaw with Classic Wines Auction Main Sponsor, Bank of America, enjoys the evening with his wife Margaret and fellow Auction guest, Starla Goff

Speakers representing Classic Wines Auction charity partners, Metropolitan Family Service (MFS), New Avenues for Youth, Friends of the Children, YWCA Clark County and Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel pose in front of the BMW i8 before taking the stage

Chris Hermann, Classic Wines Auction Board Chair, is congratulated after placing the top bid for the highly coveted 2015 BMW i8 hybrid sports car

Auction guest Joe Aholt celebrates after an exhilarating live auction battle to win the second BMW i8. Thanks to presenting sponsor Kuni Automotive, two BMW i8 cars were auctioned off

Classic Wines Auction Executive Director Heather Martin (far left), poses with the 2015 Auction Co-Chairs (left to right) DJ Wilson, Peggy Maguire and Greg Goodwin

Auction guests toasted to another successful year and helped raise nearly $3.2 million to benefit children and families

The 2015 Classic Wines Auction Honorary Wine Ambassadors (left to right), Tony LeBlanc from Silver Oak (Calif.), Chris Mazepink from Archery Summit (Ore.), Priscilla Incisa della Rocchetta from Sassicaia (Italy), and Drew Bledsoe from Doubleback Winery (Wash.)

Auction guests enjoyed wine tastings from more than 50 producers during the tasting reception, as well as chef presentations from six guest chefs representing some of Portland’s top restaurants

“With support from our incredible sponsors, donors, charity partners, winemakers and volunteers, we are able to significantly impact the lives of over 82,000 children and families in our community who are in need,” said CWA Executive Director Heather Martin.

Auction fundraising totals were announced on the heels of Wine Spectator releasing its annual list of the Top 10 Charity Wine Auctions in the country. The prestigious list is made up of major auctions from around the country, including events in Napa Valley and Sonoma.

“We are delighted to be recognized by Wine Spectator as one of the top ten charity wine auctions in the country. It’s a tribute to the generosity of our supporters and the importance of our fundraising efforts,” Martin added.

A wide range of packages, vintage wines and international excursions were auctioned off during the course of the evening. Following in the footsteps of the previous year, Kuni Automotive and Kuni BMW again donated two BMW i8 plug-in hybrid sports cars. Two bidders in Portland each paid $160,000 for the cars, raising $320,000.

Other auction items included a luxury trip to Tuscany; wine tasting tours in France and Germany; trips to Pebble Beach, Calif., Whitefish, Mo., and the U.S. Open; and a heli-skiing vacation in the Canadian Rockies, among other packages.

Next year’s auction is scheduled for Saturday, March 5, 2016.

About Classic Wines Auction:

Consistently recognized as one of the top ten charity wine auctions in the country by Wine Spectator, the Classic Wines Auction has raised more than $36 million for Portland-area charities since its inception in 1982. Based in Portland, Ore., First Growth Children and Family Charities is a nonprofit organization dedicated to producing the Classic Wines Auction and related food and wine events to raise funds for local charities benefiting children and families, including: Metropolitan Family Service (MFS), New Avenues for Youth, Friends of the Children-Portland, YWCA Clark County and Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel. For more information about the Classic Wines Auction and each of its annual fundraising events, visit www.classicwinesauction.com.

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Elisa Klein

I’ve been a professional journalist and writer since 1987, (and long-time reporter for KOIN-TV.) As a nationally published reporter, with a Master’s Degree in Journalism, I love to report positive news and information. Journalism has also connected me with another non-profit where I served as a leader; the Northwest’s biggest writer’s organization: The Willamette Writers.

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Elisa Klein
Tags: (left to right) Heather Martin2015CWAAmbassadorsDinner _1.jpg 2015 Ambassadors Dinner Chairs Donna Edwards and Eva Kripalani 2015CWAAmbassadorsDinner_2.jpg Auction co-chairs Greg Goodwinand Drew Bledsoe from Doubleback Winery (Wash.) 2015ClassicWinesAuction_3.jpg Auction guests enjoyed wine tastings from more than 50 producers during the tasting receptionas well as chef presentations from six guest chefs representing some of Portland’s top restaurants 2015ClassicWinesAuction_4.jpg Former New England Patriots Quarterback and Proprietor of Doubleback WiBank of Americabids during the live auction 2015ClassicWinesAuction_5.jpg Roger Hinshaw with Classic Wines Auction Main SponsorCaliforniaChris Mazepink from Archery Summit (Ore.)Classic Wines Auction Board ChairDJ Wilson and Peggy Maguire join Honorary Wine Ambassadors Drew Bledsoe (Doubleback Winery) and Priscilla Incisa della Rocchetta (Sassicaia) 2015CWAAmbassadorsDinner_3.jpg Roger Hinshaw from Bank of ADrew BledsoeEmily Nichols and Kristy Wilson Photos for the Portland Society Page – Auction Highlights: See press release 2015ClassicWinesAuction_1.jpg Classic Wines Auction Executive Director Heather Martin (far enjoys the evening with his wife Margaret and fellow Auction guestfive-course meal paired with exquisite wines from four Honorary Wine Ambassadors representing wineries and vineyards from ItalyFriends of the Childrenis congratulated after placing the top bid for the highly coveted 2015 BMW i8 hybrid sports car 2015ClassicWinesAuction_7.jpg Auction guest Joe Aholt celebrates after an exhilarating live auction battKate GoudschaalMetropolitan Family Service (MFS)New Avenues for YouthOregon and Washington 2015ClassicWinesAuction_10.jpg Auction guests toasted to another successful year and helped raise nearly $3.2 million to benefit children and familiesPeggy Maguire and Greg Goodwin 2015ClassicWinesAuction_2.jpg The 2015 Classic Wines Auction Honorary Wine Ambassadors (left to right)poses with the 2015 Auction Co-Chairs (left to right) DJ WilsonPriscilla Incisa della Rocchetta from Sassicaia (Italy)Starla Goff 2015ClassicWinesAuction_6.jpg Chris HermannTony LeBlanc from Silver Oak (Calif.)two BMW i8 cars were auctioned off 2015ClassicWinesAuction_8.jpg Speakers representing Classic Wines Auction charity partnersYWCA Clark County and Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel pose in front of the BMW i8 before taking the stage 2015ClassicWinesAuction_9.jpg Auction guests enjoyed a gourmet

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