Past Events

2007 Auction

The excitement was palpable in the Oregon Convention Center's Portland Ballroom as the gavel came down on this year's Classic Wines Auction, which raised a record $2.7 million for local charities; a 20 percent increase over 2006's record-setting earnings.

The Auction's week of "wine working wonders" — including 34 winemaker dinners hosted at some of Portland's finest restaurants by Oregon, Washington and California winemakers and an Ambassadors Dinner at the Portland Art Museum — culminated in the March 3 black-tie event, which garnered huge bids from among the crowd of nearly 820.

Tickets to this year's event sold out three months prior to the event, as guests from across the region clamored for a chance to attend one of the country's top ten charity wine auctions (according to Wine Spectator magazine). The vineyard-themed event featured wines from the 2007 Honorary Wine Ambassadors: Mike Etzel from Oregon's Beaux Frères, Norm McKibben from Washington's Pepper Bridge, Pat Kuleto from California's Kuleto Estate Family Vineyards, and Alexandra Marnier Lapostolle de Bournet from Chile's Casa Lapostolle.

2007 Oral Auction | PDF
2007 Super Silent Auction | PDF
2007 Silent Auction | PDF

2007 Auction Chairs

Gary Maffei, Linda Hickey and Frank Roberti

2007 Award Winners

Bob Miller, long-time supporter of the auction, received the 2007 VINI Award, which honors individuals who help promote the enjoyment of wine through their enthusiasm and support of viticulture.

Susan Sokol Blosser, owner of Sokol Blosser Winery received the 2007 ORVI Award, which honors individuals who have demonstrated significant achievements in building Oregon's wine industry and establishing its reputation worldwide.

2007 Wine Ambassadors

Each year, the Classic Wines Auction selects four Honorary Wine Ambassadors to represent the wine industries of Oregon, Washington, California and an International venue. The wines of the following extraordinary winemakers were served at the exclusive Ambassadors Dinner on Friday, March 2, 2007 and at the auction on Saturday, March 3, 2007.

Oregon
Beaux Frères
Mike Etzel

Chile
Casa Lapostolle
Alexandra Marnier Lapostolle de Bournet

California
Kuleto Estate Family Vineyard
Pat Kuleto

Washington
Pepper Bridge Winery
Norm McKibben

2007 Auction Chefs

These top executive chefs team up to offer a five-course culinary masterpiece by preparing a dinner course matched with the wines of our wine ambassadors.

First Course
Ethan Stowell
Union Restaurant, Seattle, WA

Second Course
Scott Ketterman
Roux Restaurant, Portland, OR

Third Course
Stephanie Kimmel and Rocky Maselli
Marché, Eugene, OR

Fourth Course
Ben Dyer, David Kreifels and Jason Owens
Simpatica Dining Hall, Portland, OR

Fifth Course
Cheryl Wakerhauser
Pix Pâtisserie, Portland, OR

Auction Menu | PDF

2007 Ambassadors Dinner

Hosted in a more intimate setting for sponsors and special guests, the ambassadors dinner honored our wine ambassadors with a specially-made menu prepared by our guest celebrity chef, Jan Birnbaum.

Chef and restaurateur Jan Birnbaum, renowned throughout the culinary world as an unrivalled architect of creative cuisine and a virtuoso of bright flavors and intensity, will soon take the helm of the new EPIC Roasthouse, the first new construction permitted on the magnificent San Francisco waterfront in more than 100 years.  As chef and co-owner, Birnbaum will bring to EPIC Roasthouse his signature philosophy of honest cooking and the experience of an acclaimed, 30-year career to create a menu of fun, inventive, contemporary interpretations of traditional steakhouse favorites.

Ambassador Menu | PDF

2007 Winemaker Dinners

Over three evenings, these 33 top restaurants and 62 remarkable winemakers from Oregon, Washington and California paired celebrated wines with gourmet cuisine for over 600 guests.

Restaurant / Wineries

Tuesday, February 27, 2007

Bluehour, Kenny Giambalvo
Francis Tannahill and Long Shadows Vintners

Caprial's Bistro, Mark Dowers
Witness Tree Vineyard and Dunham Cellars

Carlyle Restaurant, Daniel Mondok
Shea Wine Cellars and Tamarack Cellars

Castagna, Kevin Gibson
J.K. Carriere Wines and Andrew Rich Winery

El Gaucho, Jaime Mansfield
Stoller Vineyards and Abeja

Fife, Marco Shaw
Dobbes Family Estate and Reininger Winery

The Heathman Restaurant, Philippe Boulot
Soléna Cellars and Walla Walla Vintners

Lucy's Table, Mike Conklin
Elk Cove Vineyards and Zerba Cellars

Nostrana, Cathy Whims
Matello Wines and Seven Hills Winery

Olea Restaurant, Scott Shampine
Sokol Blosser Winery and Amavi Cellars

Red Star Tavern & Roast House, Mauro Pando
Willamette Valley Vineyards and Canoe Ridge Vineyard

Tabla Mediterranean Bistro, Adam Berger
Argyle Winery and Bergevin Lane Vineyards

Wildwood Restaurant, Dustin Clark
Domaine Drouhin Oregon and Buty Winery

Wednesday, February 28, 2007

23 Hoyt, Chris Israel
Adelsheim Vineyard and Whitman Cellars

Carafe Bistro, Pascal Sauton
Bergström Wines and Owen Roe/Sineann

Genoa Restaurant, Alex Bourgidu
Col Solare, Antinori, and Chateau Ste. Michelle

Giorgio's, Peter Schuh
Rex Hill Vineyards

Higgins Restaurant, Greg Higgins
Leonetti Cellars

Park Kitchen, Scott Dolich
Hinman Vineyards/Silvan Ridge and Panther Creek Cellars

Portland City Grill, Michael Fry
Erath Vineyards and Spring Valley Vineyard and Northstar

Shula's Steak House, Troy Lucio
Lago di Merlo Vineyards and Winery

Thursday, March 1, 2007

Alba Osteria & Enoteca, Kurt Spak
Westrey Wines and Woodward Canyon Winery

Andina Restaurant, Ignacio del Solar
Bethel Heights Vineyard and Hedges Family Estate

Gracie's at the Hotel deluxe, Dylyn Coolidge
Lachini Vineyards and Matthews Cellars

Hurley's, Tom Hurley
Kuleto Estate Family Vineyards

Le Pigeon, Gabriel Rucker
Chehalem Winery and Pepper Bridge Winery

Morton's the Steakhouse-Portland, Michael Corbett
Basel Cellars Estate Winery and Mark Ryan Winery

¡Oba!, Scott Neuman
DePonte Cellars

Pazzo Ristorante, John Eisenhart
Le Cadeau Vineyard and Brooks Wines

Roots Restaurant & Bar, Brad Root
Patton Valley Vineyard and DeLille Cellars

Ruth's Chris Steak House, Ron Penrose
Charles Krug Winery

Serratto, Joseph Valoff
Van Duzer Vineyards and Vignalta

Southpark Seafood Grill & Wine Bar, Brock Willis
Cristom Vineyards and Covey Run Winery