Lots to Discuss: WVWA 2020 Auction Goes Online

Willamette Valley Wine Auction went virtual in 2020.

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“Lots to Discuss”

WVWA 2020 auction goes online, adds charity, promotes 2018s

Willamette Valley Wine Auction went virtual in 2020.
Auctioneer Fritz Hatton leads the live segment at last year’s Willamette: The Pinot Noir Auction. Photo provided.

By L.M. Archer

The fifth annual Willamette: The Pinot Noir Auction went virtual in 2020. The exclusive trade auction by Willamette Valley Wineries Association (WVWA) entertained bids online Aug. 11–13. Showcasing the 2018 vintage, the event featured 93 exclusive lots from 88 participating wineries. In addition, the auction added charitable partner James Beard Foundation’s Food and Beverage Investment Fund for Black and Indigenous Americans, part of the Open for Good Campaign.

Auction steering committee past chair and current WVWA member David Adelsheim of Adelsheim Vineyard commented, “It’s a great opportunity for this auction to not only fund the amazing work the Willamette Valley Wineries Association has done in the past, but also, as bids go beyond the opening bids, for that money, in fact, to go to the James Beard Foundation Black and Indigenous peoples of North America special fund.”

Also new, the traditional Friday pre-auction walk-around tasting turned technical in its online format. Participating Willamette Valley winemakers and winery principals joined moderating auction steering committee members for 15 different one-hour sessions with trade and media, showcasing these unique wines.

Wine writeL.M. Archer reported on the virtual seminar moderated by Adelsheim on Aug. 6, featuring winemaker Spencer Spetnagel of Durant Vineyards (Lot No. 66), winemaker Katie Santora of Chehalem Winery (No. 67), winemaker Matt Wengel of Lemelson Vineyards (No. 69), Shirley Brooks from Elk Cove Vineyards (No. 71), and winemaker Tim Jones of The Four Graces (No. 73). READ FULL ARTICLE HERE.

 

More by L.M. Archer in Oregon Wine Press here.

 

Copyright ©2020 L.M. Archer. All Rights Reserved.

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