Willamette Valley Pinot Noir auction raises US$705,100

The sixth annual Willamette Valley Pinot Noir auction on 5 August, which included 85 one-of-a-kind lots, raised a total of US$705,100 from a mixture of live and online bidders.

The majority of the funds will be used for marketing and education efforts of the Willamette Valley Wineries Association.

The hybrid event with in-person and online bidding netted a surprisingly high US$6,641 per lot, a 34% increase over the previous year’s winning bid average.

Auctioneer Fritz Hatton returned to the stage in a festive Hawaiian button-down shirt and a gavel in hand for an afternoon of trade-only bidding following a morning walk-around tasting and a lunch for bidders – distributors, restaurant buyers and retailers.

There were 17 first-time Willamette Valley producers who took part in the sixth annual event.

“We are just so thrilled to be able to come together with our friends in the wine buying community to raise funds for the Willamette Valley Wineries Association,” said auction co-chair Rob Alstrin of Adelsheim winery.

“Those that purchased these special bottles from the 2019 vintage will be treated to wines that are sure to age for decades to come.”

Auction highlights included these lot sales:

• Lot 92: Five cases of Adelsheim Pinot Noir “Cheers to 50 Years”: $17,500
• Lot 57: Five cases of Antica Terra Pinot Noir “Alder Creek”: $17,000
• Lot 73: Twenty cases of Maison Noir Wines Pinot Noir “Lamb of God”: $16,000
• Lot 49: Five cases of 00 [correct] Wines Pinot Noir “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!”: $13,500
• Lot 84: Five cases of Lingua Franca Pinot Noir “Up & Up”: $13,000
• Lot 87: Five cases of Soléna Estate Pinot Noir “L’élégance”: $12,000
• Lot 43: Five cases of Elk Cove Vineyards Pinot Noir “The Matterhorn”: $12,000
• Lot 52: Five cases of Big Table Farm Pinot Noir “THE LOVE NINJA II”: $12,000

“The 2019 vintage was a return to a classic Willamette growing season, complete with late summer rains that characterise the Pacific Northwest. The vintage is defined by elegant complexity with wines that are built to age,” Alstrin said.

The WVWA has more than 230 members representing wineries, tasting rooms and vineyards throughout the Willamette Valley.