Portland, OR. More than 825 guests gathered on March 3rd at the Oregon Convention Center for the 34th annual Classic Wines Auction, raising nearly $3 million for five local nonprofits. Guests bid on distinctive auction items while enjoying gourmet cuisine presented by top local chefs and, of course, the gala’s signature fine wines. Proceeds support children and families in our community served by the beneficiaries, including: Metropolitan Family Service, YWCA Clark County, Friends of the Children, New Avenues for Youth and Unity Center for Behavioral Health. Classic Wines Auction events have raised more than $43 million since 1982. (Photo credit, John Valls Photography)
Event chairs and Honorary Wine Ambassadors: Peter Andrews (chair), Gilles de Larouziere (Maisons & Domaines Henriot), Jill Nelson (chair), Shari Staglin (Staglin Family Vineyard), Mike Etzel (Beaux Freres Winery), Garen Staglin (Staglin Family Vineyard), Tara Kinateder (chair) and Richard Moreau (Maisons & Domaines Henriot).
Danielle Lee served guests from a “champagne skirt.”
Cyndi Challacombe, representing Cristal Champagne, pours for guest Wes Mallard.
Leslie Durst celebrates her winning bid.
Michelle and Jim Fitzhenry show their support.
Participants from ‘Friends of the Children’ share their stories on stage.
Brian Garish bids big.
Martin Green bids high in the live auction.
Guests enjoy the party.
Jim Mark, CEO of Melvin Mark Companies, First Growth Sponsor of the 2018 Classic Wines Auction
Mark and Tricia Cooper make their move in the live auction.
Master of Ceremonies Stephanie Stricklen welcomes guests with the help of the Starella Sisters.
Chef Allan Wambaa prepared a gourmet five-course meal, paired with wine from the Wine Ambassadors.
Bubbly was provided by Nicolas Feuillatte Champagne.
Guests peruse the wine section of the silent auction.
Portland’s Starella Sisters welcome guests to the party
Taft Stricklin earns a moment in the spotlight.
Jason Zidell gets ready to bid
Matt Felton raises his paddle to support local nonprofits.
Guests danced to Hit Explosion at the NIGHTCAP after party.
From Classic Wines:
OUR 2018 NONPROFIT PARTNERS:
Working with multiple nonprofit partners to spread the wealth and maximize our impact in the community.
The Classic Wines Auction supports the good 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. Proceeds from the 2017/2018 Classic Wines Auction series of events will benefit these five organizations.
Interested in becoming a Classic Wines Auction nonprofit partner? Learn more here.
METROPOLITAN FAMILY SERVICE (MFS) Portland, Oregon Nonprofit Partner Since 1982
Metropolitan Family Service (MFS) helps people move beyond the limitations of poverty, inequity and social isolation.
With a focus on prevention, MFS delivers proven programs and innovative solutions to help more than 30,000 people succeed at home, in school and in the greater Portland and SW Washington area each year. MFS is reaching out across the lifespan, creating opportunities that enable people of all ages and abilities to live with dignity and realize success.
New Avenues for Youth Portland, Oregon – Nonprofit Partner Since 2005
New Avenues for Youth works in partnership with the community to prevent youth homelessness and provide homeless and at-risk young people the resources and skills needed to lead healthy, productive lives.
Since 1997, New Avenues for Youth has offered programs and services that empower homeless youth to exit street life. With an increasing focus on homelessness prevention, New Avenues is building brighter futures for Portland’s most vulnerable youth and moving closer to its vision of a community in which all young people have a safe place to call home.
FRIENDS OF THE CHILDREN – PORTLAND, Portland, Oregon – Nonprofit Partner Since 2006
Friends of the Children breaks the cycle of generational poverty by giving children facing the highest-risks the ability to create a new story.
Children born into generational poverty believe they have no future, no potential, and their highest hope is merely to survive. These children are at high risk for teen parenting, incarceration, high dropout rates, and gang violence. Friends of the Children helps the highest-risk children dramatically change their story by providing each child with a salaried, professional mentor, or a Friend, from kindergarten through graduation. 12 ½ years. No matter what.
YWCA CLARK COUNTY Vancouver, Washington – Nonprofit Partner Since 2008
YWCA Clark County is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.
YWCA programs provide tools and support to heal, build self-esteem, foster positive life choices, and change lives. YWCA celebrates diversity, respects differences, and recognizes the dignity of each individual. Working as a team to achieve a shared vision, YWCA Clark County is a leader of high quality, innovative services offered in a caring and compassionate environment.
UNITY CENTER FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH Portland, Oregon – Nonprofit Partner Since 2016
The right care at the right time.
The Unity Center for Behavioral Health is a 24-hour behavioral and mental health services center providing immediate psychiatric care and a path to recovery for people experiencing a mental health crisis.
The Classic Wines Auction Non Profit Partner Selection Process:
The Classic Wines Auction, Inc. supports the good work of Oregon and Southwest Washington non‐profit organizations by raising money for nonprofit organizations benefiting children and families. The Classic Wines Auction seeks charitable partners that can effectively contribute to the success of auction events and exceed annual participation goals and expectations. Classic Wines Auction events have raised more than $43 million since 1982, and have benefited nearly one million individuals in the community.
The Classic Wines Auction has very limited opportunities to engage new nonprofit partners each year and does not currently have openings for 2018 events. We encourage local nonprofit organizations interested in discussing their interest for future involvement with the Classic Wines Auction to contact our Executive Director.
The Classic Wines Auction does not require formal applications, and all compatible nonprofit organizations expressing interest will be considered by the Classic Wines Auction Board and Executive Committee. If opportunities are available, the Executive Committee will select organizations with the following characteristics for further consideration: mission compatibility (must benefit children and families in the Portland or Southwest Washington communities), effective organizational management, sound financial practices, Board‐led fundraising, sustainability, and a solid volunteer network. In order to become involved, interested organizations must contact the Classic Wines Auction before April 1st to discuss potential participation in the next calendar year’s events.
Auction Co-Chairs: Shawn Menashe, CWA Executive Director Heather Martin, Tara Kinateder and Matt Felton
Richard Popiel, M.D. Executive Vice President & Corporate Chief Medical Officer at Cambia Health Solutions posed for a photo with the emcee for the benefit, Drew Carney From KGW.
Jill Nelson is ecstatic about her winning bid.
Every year, professional sommeliers volunteer their time at the Classic Wines Auction. The Auction relies on assistance from this group and over 350 other volunteers to help with the event.
Jason Zidell and William Oben celebrate their winning bid for a package.
(L to R) Cynthia and John Morgan, Mark Adams, M.D., Kristy and Sean Robbins, Steven and Elisa Klein, Kimberley Chan, M.D., Richard Popiel, M.D., Executive Vice President & Corporate Chief Medical Officer at Cambia Health Solutions and his wife Dr. Lisa Holland
With a record-breaking year on the books, the Classic Wines Auction has raised nearly $45 million for its partners in the organization’s 33 years. This announcement comes on the heels of its 2016 event being ranked number seven on Wine Spectator’s annual list of Top 10 charity wine auctions in the U.S.
“We’re overwhelmed by the generous support of our community and the success of this year’s event,” said Heather Martin, Executive Director of the Classic Wines Auction. “We implemented a number of format changes this year to shorten the evening and freshen up the event, and we are thrilled by the positive response from our attendees, donors, sponsors, and nonprofit partners. We know these funds will create incredible opportunities for youth and families in Oregon and Southwest Washington.”
With more than 850 guests in attendance, the paddle raise drew in more than $1.1 million, another new record for the organization. “Weekend with Rombauer,” a trip for six couples to Napa Valley, went for the highest sum, raising $108,000. Other hot packages included a 2018 Lexus LC500h, a trip to France with Louis Roederer Group, and an African safari with Betz Family Winery.
Throughout the year, Classic Wines Auction hosts a number of events in support of its nonprofit partners, including:
Fall Winemaker Dinner Series: November: 14-16, 2017
Spring Winemaker Dinner Series: Feb. 20-22, 27-28, March 1, 2018
About Classic Wines Auction:
Consistently recognized as one of the top ten charity wine auctions in the country by Wine Spectator Magazine, the Classic Wines Auction has raised nearly $45 million for local nonprofit partners since its inception in 1982. Based in Portland, Ore., Classic Wines Auction, Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to producing the Classic Wines Auction and related food and wine events to raise funds for local organizations benefiting children and families, including: Metropolitan Family Service (MFS), New Avenues for Youth, Friends of the Children-Portland, YWCA Clark County and Unity Center for Behavioral Health. The organization recently received – for the third consecutive year – a four star rating from Charity Navigator recognizing exemplary performance in accountability, transparency, as well as strong financial health. More at www.classicwinesauction.com.
Portland, March 1st, 2014. More than 950 attended the 30th Annual Classic Wines Auction and that was a new record. At the event, Greg Goodwin, CEO of Kuni Automotive, handed the keys to the BMW i8 to winner Linda Dahl as guests help celebrate the bidding action. The gala at the Oregon Convention Center raised a record $3.4 million to support youth and families in five different charities in Portland and Southwest Washington.
Honorary Chair John von Schlegell joins Honorary Washington Wine Ambassadors Darcy Fugman-Small and Rick Small of Woodward Canyon.
Honorary Wine Ambassador Veronique Drouhin-Boss, representing both Maison Joseph Drouhin (France) and Domaine Drouhin Oregon joins California Honorary Wine Ambassador, Barbara Banke, of Jackson Family Wines.
CWA Board member Chris Hermann actively participates in the BMW i8 bidding and purchases the second one (a surprise offer from Kuni Automotive).
Linda Rae Hickey, CWA Raise your Paddle Chair and Emeritus Board Member, encourages the audience to help reach a record-breaking goal of $1 million in Raise your Paddle donations. For the 1st time in CWA history, that goal was achieved!
Guests admired the BMW i8 plug-in hybrid sports car donated by Kuni Automotive and Kuni BMW.
Brian Wineke, Managing Director of U.S. Trust, and Roger Hinshaw, Bank of America President, encourage the crowd to give generously.
This year’s partner charities include Metropolitan Family Service, New Avenues for Youth, Friends of the Children-Portland, YWCA Clark County and Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel.
A wide range of packages, vintage wines and international excursions were auctioned off during the course of the night. The highlight of the auction and the evening was the new BMW i8 plug-in hybrid sports car. Two bidders in Portland each paid $240,000 for cars for a total of $480,000. Donated by presenting sponsors, Kuni Automotive and Kuni BMW, they are the first BMW i8s to be sold in the Pacific Northwest and two of only 900 that will be sold in the U.S. this year.
In 2013, the event raised $2.9 million. Established in 1984, the auction has raised more than $33 million and assisted over 700,000 children and families.
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