2024 WINERIES SCHEDULE REGISTER MEDIA & EVENT PRESS
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS ACCOMMODATIONS EDUCATION
The Pinot Noir Auction
 
 
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AUCTION PRESS

Please find previous auction press releases and event photos below.

Contact Morgen McLaughlin, Executive Director of the Willamette Valley Wineries Association, with any media inquiries.

 

BACK ON THE AUCTION BLOCK!

Willamette: The Pinot Noir Auction
raised $680,900 at the Seventh Annual Trade Auction


- Rare 2021 Willamette Valley Wines Auctioned to Trade -

Yamhill, Oregon - August 11, 2023 - Registered trade bidders from across the world vied for the top wines from the Willamette Valley on Thursday, August 10, 2023 at the seventh annual Willamette: The Pinot Noir Auction held in-person and via live stream online from WillaKenzie Estate located in the heart of Yamhill, Ore. The Auction celebrated the 2021 vintage with 75 lots of one-of-a-kind Pinot noir and Chardonnay with special first-time winery collaborations. Each wine was produced in quantities of five, 10 or 20 cases, and will become available to the public through resale by the winning bidders. 

Competition was high under the outdoor auction tent, and bidders raised an impressive $543,500 on wine lots, with additional sponsorship funds and ticket sales bringing the Auction total to $680,900. Funds raised will help fund future marketing and education initiatives of the Willamette Valley Wineries Association.

The Auction was graced by the presence of two esteemed auctioneers at the helm of the event. Steering the in-person and online bidding was Fritz Hatton, a preeminent figure among the nation’s top auctioneers. Complementing his prowess, was Charles Antin; both were represented from the distinguished Zachys Wine Auction House.  Paddles were raised high, both in-person and virtually, as bidders entered furious competition for lots from Bergström, Antica Terra, Westmount, Alexana, Maison Noir and more. 

The hybrid event served as a testament to the evolving landscape of the region’s wine events. Registered trade members found themselves at the crossroads of tradition and innovation, given the choice to engage in live, real-time bidding either in person or online via Zachys.com. As a prelude to the main event, all bidders were welcomed to partake in preview tastings and enlightening educational seminars in the preceding days. On the day of the Auction, festivities commenced with an immersive, in-person preview tasting. This was seamlessly followed by a seated lunch, set against the breathtaking expanse of WillaKenzie Estate’s grounds. The roster of registered bidders encompassed a diverse array of stakeholders, including distributors, discerning restaurant buyers, and reputable retailers.

This year, the average price per lot surged to $7,246, marking an impressive nearly 10% upswing compared to the preceding year. The Auction featured the participation of seven wineries venturing into it for the first time, contributing to a total of 73 represented wineries. Notably, the pinnacle of success emerged from Bergström Winery’s offering with Lot 76: the Bergström 2021 Pinot Noir “La Voluptueuse.” This remarkable lot, presented as the final entry, fetched an astounding $35,000 for five cases, translating to an average of over $583 per bottle. Additionally, the Auction experienced a notable trend with fourteen lots commanding prices exceeding $10,000.

Auction Highlights:
Lot 76: Five cases of the Bergström 2021 Pinot noir “La Voluptueuse” for $35,000

Lot 68: Five cases of the Antica Terra 2021 Pinot noir “Alder Creek” for $15,000

Lot 67: 20 cases of the Westmount 2021 Pinot noir “West Side Story” for $18,000

Lot 7: Five cases of Alexana Estate 2021  Pinot noir “Slack Tide–The Calm” for $15,000

Lot 53: 20 cases of Maison Noir 2021 Pinot noir “Lamb of the God” for $13,000

Lot 23: Five cases of Drouhin Oregon Roserock 2021 Pinot noir “Cuvée DG” for  $11,000

Lot 72: Five cases of Soléna Estate and Domaine Divio 2021 Chardonnay “Francophillia” at $10,500

“We are so honored to be able to gather together with our friends in the wine-buying community,” said Ian Burch, auction chair and winemaker at Archery Summit. “The Willamette Valley has come to be recognized as one of the most exciting wine regions in the world, and this Auction offers the highest expressions of Pinot noir and Chardonnay from our top producers. There is nothing else like it.”

About Willamette Valley Wineries Association
The Willamette Valley Wineries Association (WVWA) is a non-profit industry association dedicated to achieving recognition for Oregon’s acclaimed Willamette Valley as a premier Pinot noir–producing region. Currently, the WVWA has more than 350 members representing wineries, vineyards, industry, and hospitality businesses throughout the Willamette Valley region. To learn more about The Willamette Valley Wineries Association visit: willamettewines.com

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@wvwines #wvwines | @wvauction #wvauction

 

photos: carolyn wells kramer
@carolyn_wells_kramer

Photographer credit required when using these images.

2021 AUCTION PRESS

 

At Willamette: The Pinot Noir Auction on August 5, 2021, bidders raised an impressive $611,000 on wine lots, with additional sponsorship funds bringing the Auction total to $705,100. We are grateful to our bidders, sponsors and wineries, and the behind-the-scenes vendors, event staff and volunteers who all came together to make this event possible.

 
 
 

2021 AUCTION PRESS AND 2019 VINTAGE PREVIEW

 
 
 

“I will remember 2019 as challenging at every turn as a growing season, but from the earliest fermentations, through elevage, and now to bottling in early 2021, I have marveled at the delicacy, complexity and graceful architecture of the vintage.”

– Ben Casteel, Bethel Heights

 

2020 AUCTION PRESS AND 2018 VINTAGE COVERAGE

 

At Willamette: The Pinot Noir Online Auction 2020, not only were critical funds raised to support the Willamette Valley Winery Association’s (WVWA) education and marketing initiatives, but an additional $100,000 was raised to support the James Beard Foundation’s Food & Beverage Investment Fund for Black and Indigenous Americans, part of the larger JBF Open for Good campaign. View and download our press release announcing the results of the first-ever 2020 Online Auction.

Oregon Wine Press
Lots to Discuss

SevenFifty Daily
Wine Auctions Pivot—Quite Profitably—to the Virtual World

The Vintner Project
Online Auction Reflects Classic Oregonian Spirit

Wine Industry Advisor
Willamette: The Pinot Noir Auction’s Online Pivot Raised Funds for the Willamette Valley Wineries Association and the James Beard Foundation’s Open for Good Campaign

Wine Industry Advisor
Portland Basketball Superstar CJ McCollum Is 2020 Auction Ambassador for Willamette: The Pinot Noir Auction

Forbes
‘Willamette: The Pinot Noir Auction’ Goes Online For The First Time In 2020

The Buyer
‘Goldilocks’ 2018 vintage shines at all new Willamette Pinot Noir auction

Vinous
Oregon Pinot Noir: The Winning Streak Continues

The Drinks Business
Willamette Valley Pinot Noir Auction Opens Tomorrow

Portland Business Journal
Willamette pinot noir auction shifts online to aid restaurants

Wine & Whiskey Globe
Willamette Pinot Auction Goes Virtual—and Will Benefit Beard Foundation

Wine Industry Insight
Willamette Valley Wineries Association Pivots Annual Trade Auction to Benefit Restaurants in Need

 

PHOTO GALLERY BY EASTON RICHMOND

2019 AUCTION PRESS AND 2017 VINTAGE COVERAGE

 
 

PHOTO GALLERY BY EASTON RICHMOND

 
 

2018 AUCTION PRESS AND 2016 VINTAGE COVERAGE

 
 
 

Photo gallery by john valls

2017 AUCTION PRESS

 
 

2016 AUCTION PRESS