CWA Gears Up for 2010

Hot off their silver anniversary year, the Classic Wines Auction is ready for number 26.

Since the first auction in 1982, CWA has raised a cumulative $21.5 million for children and families in need in Portland and Southwest Washington, making CWA one of the top five charity auctions in the country, according to Wine Spectator.

This year’s auction includes a combination of events, starting with 28 winemaker dinners, March 2–4, featuring some of the finest chefs in Portland and Southwest Washington paired with winemakers from Oregon, Washington and California. (See side bar.)

Daniel Mondok, executive chef at Sel Gris in Portland, will prepare dinner for 200 at the Ambassadors Dinner, March 5 at the Portland Art Museum. During the dinner, CWA will recognize the year’s four honorary wine ambassadors: Bill Stoller of Stoller Vineyards in Oregon, Jayson Pahlmeyer of Pahlmeyer in California, David O’Reilly of Owen Roe in Washington (and Oregon) and Ernst Loosen of Germany’s Dr. Loosen Estate.

The line-up of chef talent for the main gala auction, March 6 at Oregon Convention Center in Portland, includes: David Machado, chef/owner of Lauro Mediterranean Kitchen, Vindalho and Nel Centro in Portland; and Cory Schreiber, founder of Wildwood Restaurant, author and faculty member of the International Culinary School at the Art Institute in Portland.

Unique to the auction block, CWA has selected an artist and winemaker to collaborate on 200 special-edition magnums. This year, Portland artist Mary Josephson will create a custom piece of art to be etched on the big bottles and featured in the live auction. Winemaker Earl Jones of Abacela Vineyards & Winery in the Umpqua Valley will fill the magnums with a special Tempranillo blend. Retailing at $250 per bottle, they will be available for purchase a few weeks prior to the auction.

The CWA board works with five area nonprofits to benefit from the proceeds of the auction events: Friends of the Children–Portland, Metropolitan Family Service, New Avenues for Youth, Trillium Family Services and YWCA Clark County.

“Watching our community raise funds for programs that will improve the lives of children and families is the most memorable part of the annual auction,” said CWA Executive Director Heather Martin. “We touch thousands of lives as a direct result of our wine events. It is amazing to watch so many people giving to make life a bit brighter for those in our community who are in need.”

Co-chairs for the 2010 gala auction include: Michelle Fitzhenry, Tim Philips, Bob Elsen and Matt Liner. For more information and tickets to these events, please visit www.classicwinesauction.com or call the office at 503-972-0194.

CWA Winemakers Dinners

Tickets are $150 per person (tax deductible portion is $65) and include dinner, wine and
gratuity. For more details, call 503-972-0194.

March 2, 6:30 p.m.

Alba Osteria & Enoteca (Portland)
Bergevin Lane Vineyards, Stoller Vineyards

Andina Restaurant (Portland)
Matello Wines, Tamarack Cellars

Bluehour (Portland)
DeLille Cellars, O Wines, Scott Paul Wines

Carlyle Restaurant (Portland)
Broadley Vineyards, DePonte Cellars

Clyde Common (Portland)
Domaine Serene Vineyards

Departure Restaurant & Lounge (Portland)
K Vintners

Fenouil (Portland)
Et Fille Wines, Torii Mor Winery

Fratelli Ristorante (Portland)
Walla Walla Vintners, Willamette Valley Vineyards

Morton’s Steakhouse (Portland)
Daedalus Cellars, Reininger Winery

¡OBA! (Portland)
Buty Winery, Rex Hill Vineyards

Urban Farmer (Portland)
Bethel Heights Vineyard, L’Ecole No. 41

Wildwood Restaurant (Portland)
Dunham Cellars, Shea Wine Cellars

March 3, 6:30 p.m.

The Country Cat Dinner House (Portland)
Patricia Green Cellars, Spring Valley Vineyard

DOC (Portland)
Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars

The Heathman Restaurant (Portland)
Panther Creek Cellars, Silvan Ridge Winery

Hudson’s at the Heathman Lodge (Vancouver, WA)
Amavi Cellars, Pepper Bridge Winery

Jory at The Allison (Newberg)
Belle Pente Wine Cellars

Lincoln Restaurant (Portland)
Cristom Vineyards, Van Duzer Vineyards

The Loft at Vibrant Table (Portland)
Lago di Merlo Vineyards & Winery

Olympic Provisions (Portland)
Evening Lands, Northstar

Tabla Mediterranean Bistro (Portland)
Evesham Wood, The Eyrie Vineyards, Black Cap

March 4, 6:30 p.m.

FiveSpice Bistro (Lake Oswego)
Apolloni Vineyards, Seven Hills Winery

Genoa Restaurant (Portland)
Hamacher Wines, Ponzi Vineyards

Gracie’s Restaurant (Portland)
Basel Cellars, Erath Winery

Noble Rot (Portland)
Andrew Rich Winery

Roots Restaurant (Camas, WA)
Domaine Drouhin Oregon 

Simpatica Dining Hall (Portland)
Boedecker Cellars, de Lancellotti Family Vineyards

Ten 01 (Portland)
Soléna Estate and Pahlmeyer