Washington Wines Festival

A couple of hot weekends ago, I got to attend the Washington Wines Festival at Camp Korey in Carnation. This is a truly worthwhile event that benefits the Washington Wine Education Foundation and Camp Korey. This is one of the Paul Newman Hole in the Wall Camps that services children who have life-threatening illnesses, providing a place where they feel safe and can just be kids, and their family know that they will be well taken care of during their stay. The "raise the paddle" portion of the auction alone raised more than $250,000 that will go directly to Camp Korey.

As a representative of Fidelitas, I poured wine during the winemaker lunch and got to chat with several wonderful people. I attended the auction, shared more Fidelitas Optu red and white (a lot of white since it was so hot), and then got to settle down for the real excitement of the evening - Carole King! Carole King is what I call my "wake up music". I listen to the Tapestry album on the Saturday mornings that I work at the wine shop, and shamelessly sing along while merchandising wine bottles. She came on stage and told the crowd of less than 200 people sprawled out on picnic blankets, "Welcome to my only stop of World Tour 2009". It was a great show.

Learn more about this worthwhile (and fun!) event: http://www.washingtonwinesfestival.com/

Sorry these are so gritty...

We were part of a "Magnum Lot" with Betz, Chateau Rollat, Chateau Ste Michelle, Dunham, Kestrel, L'Ecole, Leonetti Cellar, Northstar, Sparkman Cellars, Syncline, Va Piano, Waters and Woodhouse Family Cellars. All of the magnums were sand-carved and hand painted by the talented folks at Fresh NW Design. Some lucky bidder got the whole lot for $5000! I'm in the middle with Bob Betz, Ted Baseler, Chris Sparkman and Amy Figgins. Impressive group...

Sing it, Carole.