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35th Annual Classic Wines Auction Raises $3 Million for Five Nonprofit Partners

Portland, OR. Eight hundred guests gathered for the 35th Annual Classic Wines Auction and raised $3 million dollars for five nonprofit partners. This brings the total raised, over 35 years, to nearly $50 million. The benefit was at the Oregon Convention Center on March 2nd. The nonprofit beneficiaries this year were: Metropolitan Family Service, New Avenues for Youth, Friends of the Children – Portland, YWCA Clark County, and Unity Center for Behavioral Health. (Photo credit, John Valls)

Ryan Smith, Jason Zidell and William Oben

Tom Gerrie of Cristom with Tricia and Mark Cooper

Jim and Cathy Rudd with Karen Hinsdale

Heather Martin, Drew Carney and Fritz Hatton

Rick Hawkins, Judy Strand and Larry Black

Wally Rhines and Roger Hinshaw

The Super Silent Auction

Reception Chef, Sara Hauman

Supporters from the Mercedes Benz Table

Entertainers from “Love Bomb Go Go”

KR Rombauer and David Duncan from Silver Oak

Woodward Canyon was represented by Jordan, Darcey, and Rick Small

Wine Ambassadors for CWA19 included representatives from Rombauer, Woodward Canyon, Domaines Ott, Becky Wasserman Co., Cristom and Silver Oak

Chris and Kathryn Hermann

John Goodwin takes a selfie with his guest.

Cindy and Duncan Campbell

A sommelier shows a bottle to Drew and Maura Bledsoe

DJ Wilson

800 strong, guest enjoyed enjoy a gourmet array of food prepared by Portland chefs, including a multi-course dinner paired with wines selected by Honorary Wine Ambassadors from around the globe.

There were over twenty CWA Sommeliers.

Chris Hermann from 00 Wines

Charissa Caldwell and Andrew Plummer from Mercedes Portland

CWA Board Member Brian Garish

Here’s a list of the top Live Auction items:

Mercedes-Benz 550 (donated by Mercedes-Benz of Portland and Mercedes-Benz of Beaverton): $157,500
Trip to Rome and Tuscany with Modern Adventure: $70,000
Trip to Monaco for Formula 1 Grand Prix: $70,000
Northern Lights adventure in Finland: $58,000 (sold twice)
35 Magnums of wine to celebrate 35 years of Classic Wines Auction: $13,000 (top-selling wine lot)
Trip to Sonoma with Matt & Jasmin Felton: $100,000
Cruising Paradise with Rombauer Vineyards: $16,000
Bordeaux Wine Cruise with Woodward Canyon: $13,000
Elevated Willamette Valley Chardonnay Experience with 00 Wines: $11,000

Honorary Wine Ambassadors:

Oregon: 00 Wines & Cristom Vineyards
Washington: Doubleback Winery & Woodward Canyon Winery
California: Rombauer Vineyards & Silver Oak Cellars
France: Becky Wasserman & Co., Domaines Ott

Award Winners:

VINI Award: Greg & Michele Goodwin Each year since 1992, the Classic Wines Auction has presented the VINI Award to individuals that have used their enthusiasm and support of viticulture and passion for the community to increase the success of Classic Wines Auction events. Their knowledge and experience have created new standards of excellence for the auction and related events.

ORVI Award: Véronique DrouhinEach year since 2002, the ORVI Award has been awarded to individuals who have demonstrated significant achievements in building the Oregon wine industry and establishing its worldwide reputation. The ORVI award is presented to individuals that have not only elevated the status of Oregon wines, but have also provided generous support to the Classic Wines Auction. These individuals are leaders in the Oregon wine industry and are recognized and respected for their professionalism and philanthropy.

35th Anniversary Leadership Award: Bank of America / Roger Hinshaw. This special 35th Anniversary award is presented to Bank of America for more than 20 years of generous support for Classic Wines Auction. Their contributions have totaled more than $1 million dollars. We are grateful for the many ways they work wonders in the community.

Koerner Rombauer Award for Service: George Hosfield. The Koerner Rombauer Award for Service was created in 2007 to recognize individuals, like Koerner Rombauer, that have consistently served, funded, and supported the Classic Wines Auction and its benefiting nonprofit partners.

From Classic Wines Auction:

Working with multiple nonprofit partners to spread the wealth and maximize our impact in the community.

Classic Wines Auction supports the work of Oregon and Southwest Washington organizations by providing funds to pre-selected nonprofit partners benefiting children and families. This year, we are honored to partner with Metropolitan Family Service (MFS), New Avenues for Youth, Friends of the Children – Portland, YWCA Clark County and Unity Center for Behavioral Health.

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.