Episode 39 | Auction of Washington Wines 2020 Honorees - Decanted

Auction of Washington Wines 2020

Since its inception in 1988, the Auction of Washington Wines has raised more than $50 million, benefitting Seattle Children’s and Washington State University Wine Science Research. Events hosted by AWW give wine lovers the chance to support the Washington wine industry and families in our communities around the region. The 2020 Auction of Washington Wines events will take place August 13-15, so check out the best of Washington wine and get your virtual bids ready here!

Your 2020 Honorees

Honorary Chair, Karen MacNeil is considered America’s foremost wine presenter, author of the international best-seller, “The Wine Bible, “Emmy winner as host of the PBS series “Wine, Food and Friends with Karen MacNeil” and the first Food and Wine Editor of USA Today. She has also earned the distinguished title of “Wine Professional of the Year” from the James Beard Foundation. And TIME Magazine has called her “America’s Missionary of the Vine.” It’s a true honor to have her join us on Decanted.

Learn about wine from Karen

Honorary Vintner, Mark McNeilly, founded the Mark Ryan Winery in 1999, starting as a self-taught winemaker with a few tons of fruit in a friend’s garage. Mark Ryan Winery has earned critical national and international acclaim, due to Mark’s winemaking expertise and utilizing some of Washington’s finest fruit. He has created destination tasting rooms in Woodinville and Walla Walla and has made significant contributions to the Washington wine community for the past 20 years.

Visit Mark Ryan Winery

Honorary Grower, Rob Mercer, was born and raised in Prosser and the Horse Heaven Hills area, where his family has farmed for generations, leading to the first wine grape plantings in 1972. Rob and his team grow 25+ varieties over 3,000 acres in the Horse Heaven Hills and Columbia Valley AVAs and provide fruit for a multitude of wineries in Washington state, including his seven brands.