DeLille Cellars Named Honorary Vintner 2015 at the Auction of Washington Wines
Woodinville, WA, August 20, 2015 – Recently DeLille Cellars was recognized as the 2015 Honorary Vintner at the Auction of Washington Wines. The Auction raised a record $2.5 million for Seattle Children’s Hospital.
“We are thrilled to have been able to publicly acknowledge DeLille Cellars’ years of support to both the wine industry in Washington and to our event. They have been powerful leaders in many ways and it was an honor to call them out,” noted Sherri Swingle, Auction of Washington Wines Interim Director. “The Honorary Vintner is peer selected and represents leadership and contribution in the Washington State wine industry.”
As part of the three-day event agenda, DeLille Cellars offered a library vertical tasting of its Chaleur Estate Blanc, to celebrate that wine’s 20th vintage. “Our mission at DeLille, since 1992, is to create special wines from the uniquely expressive terroir and optimal weather conditions of the Pacific Northwest,” stated Chris Upchurch, Executive Winemaker and Cofounder of DeLille. “I’m honored and grateful to be recognized by the Washington State wine industry. I’m equally thrilled that we raised a record amount of money for the kids.” “It was an honor that DeLille was called upon by our peers to be this year’s Honorary Vintner,” added Greg Lill, CEO and Cofounder.
In addition, the winery contributed several lots which were auctioned throughout the event. Highlights include:
- Melchior of DeLille Cellars Shaw Cabernet 18L sold for $13,000
- The Vancouver Canucks Aquilini – DeLille lot sold for $13,000 (donated by Anna and Barry Olivier)
- The seven – 6.0 liter bottle Red Mountain lot in which DeLille was featured sold for $6,000
About DeLille Cellars
DeLille Cellars is a boutique artisan winery located in Woodinville, Washington. The winery was founded in 1992 by Charles and Greg Lill, Jay Soloff and celebrated winemaker Chris Upchurch. DeLille was the first winery in Washington State to focus on creating Bordeaux-style wine blends. From the beginning, the winery has looked towards the prestigious Red Mountain AVA as the foundation of its wines, using grapes from its own vineyards in combination with fruit from other top sites in the Yakima Valley.
DeLille produces six Bordeaux-styled wines: Grand Ciel, Chaleur Estate Rouge, D2, Harrison Hill, Four Flags and Chaleur Estate Blanc. The winery also produces the Doyenne wines which include classic northern Rhone Syrah – awarded as one of the great 15 Syrahs of the world; the Grand Ciel Syrah from their own Estate vineyard, a Roussanne; Métier, as Southern Rhone-style red wine; Aix, a Provence-style red wine and a Bandol-style Rosé. Robert Parker Jr. of the Wine Advocate rated DeLille Cellars and Doyenne as two of the top 12 Washington producers, bestowing the title of the “Lafite Rothschild” of Washington State. DeLille Cellars began with a traditional “chai” style winery located on the 10 acre Lill Family Estate which overlooks the Woodinville valley floor below as well as its Carriage House tasting room and a wine lounge “Maison DeLille” located in down town Kirkland Washington.
DeLille Cellars is a Bacchus Capital portfolio company.
For more information, visit www.delillecellars.com
About Bacchus Capital Management
Bacchus Capital Management is an investment firm providing strategic capital and making equity investments in United States wineries and wine businesses.
Current Bacchus portfolio companies are: DeLille Cellars, Madrigal Family Winery, Maritime Wine Trading Collective, Panther Creek Cellars, Sbragia Family Vineyards, Dobbes Family Estate / Wine by Joe. Prior Bacchus portfolio companies are Andretti Winery, Cameron Hughes Wine, and Qupé.
For more information, visit www.bacchuswinefund.com
CONTACT: Hilary Peck of Bacchus Capital Management, (212) 486-3600, ext. 125, hpeck@bacchuswinefund.com
Auction of Washington Wines SETS FUNDRAISING RECORD, raises $2.5 Million for seattle children’s hospital and Washington State University’s Viticulture & Enology Program
More than 2,000 attendees participated throughout 28th annual weekend of events
SEATTLE (August 17, 2015) – The 28th annual Auction of Washington Wines culminated August 13-15 in Woodinville, Wash. at Chateau Ste. Michelle, raising $2.5 million for Seattle Children’s Hospital and Washington State University’s Viticulture & Enology Program. Known as the region’s premier charity wine event, the weekend featured the Picnic & Barrel Auction, Winemaker Dinner Series, The Columbia Winery Charity 10K Race and 5K Run/Walk and Kids Dash, as well as the Wine Gala.
“It is a true testament to our wine industry that after nearly three decades, the dedication and support for these causes only continues to grow,” said Sherri Swingle, Auction of Washington Wines Interim Executive Director. “We are thrilled that over just one weekend of events, a record-breaking number of funds were raised to benefit uncompensated care for children in our region, as well as invest in the future of the wine industry in our state.”
Thursday’s Picnic & Barrel Auction brought together 1,200 attendees for picnic games and gourmet fare prepared by a team of chefs from Tulalip Resort Casino. The exciting Barrel Auction raised about $75,000, with more than 20 wineries pouring releases. New this year, the Private Barrel Auction presented a unique opportunity for retailers and restaurateurs to bid on rare wines specially produced for the occasion. Together, both auctions raised $123,000.
On Friday, six intimate Winemaker Dinners were held at private estates around the Puget Sound. Major highlights include the RN74, Betz Family Winery, Gramercy Cellars and WT Vintners dinner hosted at Walt Pisco’s Mercer Island estate, which raised over $160,000. Restaurant Marche with Brian Carter Cellars and Reininger Winery dinner, hosted by Doug and Cassie Picha on Bainbridge Island, raised $53,000. Together, the seven dinners raised more than $270,000.
Saturday morning began with the Columbia Winery Charity 10K Race and 5K Run/Walk and Kids Dash which raised $100,000 and culminated with the Wine Gala on Saturday evening. The Auction of Washington Wines’ Honorary Chair was Andy Perdue, celebrated wine journalist. Dick and Wendy Shaw, founder of Shaw Vineyards served as Honorary Growers; and DeLille Cellars as Honorary Vintner.
One of the top auction items was the coveted Betz Family Winery trip to South Africa, sold for $43,000. Other auction lot highlights include:
A trip to Italy presented by Col Solare sold for $60,000 + a $40K match
Two VIP tickets to the Elton John Oscar Party sold for $35,000
A VIP Seahawks Experience sold for $26,000 + a $40K match
A trip to Spain with Washington State University sold twice at $25,000
For more information, visit www.auctionofwashingtonwines.org.
About the Auction of Washington Wines
Since its inception in 1988, the Auction of Washington Wines has raised more than $30 million, with a majority benefitting uncompensated care at Seattle Children’s Hospital. This distinguished event gives wine lovers the chance to help the Washington wine industry bridge a critical funding gap for children across the Northwest. The 2016 Auction of Washington Wines will take place August 18-20, 2016. Co-chairs for 2015 were Frank and Charlene Blethen of The Seattle Times and Marty and Megan Clubb of L’Ecole No 41 winery. Major sponsors have included Chateau Ste. Michelle, Bank of America/Merrill Lynch, John L. Scott Foundation, King 5 TV, Seattle Magazine, Tulalip Resort Casino, Viking Range, Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card, CKA Creative, and Wine Spectator. www.auctionofwashingtonwines.org.
About Seattle Children’s Hospital
Consistently ranked as one of the best children’s hospitals in the country by U.S. News & World Report, Children’s serves as the pediatric and adolescent academic medical referral center for the largest landmass of any children’s hospital in the country (Washington, Alaska, Montana and Idaho). For more than 100 years, Children’s has been delivering superior patient care and advancing new treatments through pediatric research. Children’s serves as the primary teaching, clinical and research site for the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Washington School of Medicine. The hospital works in partnership with Seattle Children’s Research Institute and Seattle Children’s Hospital Foundation. Together they are Seattle Children’s, known for setting new standards in superior patient care for more than 100 years. www.seattlechildrens.org.
About Washington State University’s Viticulture & Enology Program
The Washington State University Viticulture and Enology Program aims to strengthen the quality and reputation of the Washington wine industry. Proceeds from the Auction of Washington Wines fund research within the program.
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Media Contacts:
Chelsea Asplund / Hamilton McCulloh
GreenRubino
206.447.4747
chelseaa@greenrubino.com / hamiltonm@greenrubino.com
