The Auction of Washington Wines contributed $250,000 to the Washington State University (WSU) Viticulture & Enology Program at the Washington Association of Wine Grape Growers annual convention in Kennewick, Washington in early February. The contribution was the result of a first time collaboration between the auction, Washington Wines Festival and WSU’s Celebrate Washington Wine in 2012. From this sum, $160,000 will go to fulfill the Endowed Chair as an industry commitment, and all additional funds will go directly to research. 

Pictured (l-r): Dan Bernardo, Dean of College of Agriculture at WSU; Sherri Swingle, executive director of Auction of Washington Wines; Brian Carter, owner of Brian Carter Cellars and Wine Advisory Committee member. Photo courtesy of Washington Wine Industry Foundation