Now in its sixth year, the exclusive Wine Country Celebration has become the signature event of Washington’s vineyard region, offering a rare opportunity for wine lovers to escape to the hidden charms of wine country’s finest estate wineries. With a jazz concert, winemaker dinners in the vineyards, and the Grand Gala benefit dinner and auction, this weekend of events throughout the region attracts business and community leaders from around the state to celebrate and support the continuing growth of Washington’s wine country.

Beneficiary: Founded in 2003, Washington Wine Country is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting wine-related tourism and economic vitality by fostering collaborative regional partnerships throughout the celebrated wine growing region of Eastern Washington, where 99 percent of Washington State’s wine grapes are grown. The region includes the Yakima Valley, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley, Red Mountain and the newer appellations of the Columbia Gorge, Horse Heaven Hills, Rattlesnake Hills and Wahluke Slope.

Auction Co-Chairmen:
Al DeAtley, Local business leader and Chairman of the Board of Washington Wine Country
Allen Shoup, Washington wine industry leader and owner of Long Shadows Vintners

2008 Washington Wine Industry Honorees:

Founding Icons of Industry : Tom and Anne-Marie Hedges, Hedges Family Estate

Each year, Washington Wine Country honors a few important leaders in the Washington wine industry. The “Founding Icons of Industry” is a unique distinction bestowed upon a very select few who are widely recognized as having had a positive, long-lasting impact on Washington’s wine industry.

This year, Washington Wine Country and its Board of Directors are proud to honor Tom and Anne-Marie Hedges of Hedges Family Estate, for their exemplary leadership and innumerable and generous contributions to the people, communities, and businesses that comprise our state’s wine industry. They are among a handful of leaders that fundamentally shaped this industry from its inception and made it what it is today.

2008 Board Members:
Lynne Anderson, Allan Aquila, Sam Baker, David Blandford, Phil Cline, Megan Clubb, Bill Conner, Al DeAtley, John Fisher, Kurt Fisher, Mike Flynn, Dennis Green, Christophe Hedges,Tom Hedges, Charlie Hoppes, Rick Linneweh, Dan Madsen, Stan Martinkus, Hamilton McCulloh, Reed McKinlay, Gary McLean,Ken Messer, Mike Moyer, Ron Mulberg, Scott Pontin, David Praga, Jim Rose, Dana Schultz, Gary Scott, Allen Shoup, Hank Stamschror, Dr. Steven VanAusdle, Wendy Warner, and Duane Wollmuth