written by Julie Lee | photo by John Valls

Recently heralded by Wine Spectator as one of the ten best charity wine auctions in the country, Classic Wines Auction has raised more than $36 million for children and families throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington since 1982. It is the ideal platform to spotlight Oregon’s booming wine industry and nationally recognized chefs. Executive director Heather Martin attributes the steady growth, from $9,000 in annual revenue to more than $3 million each year, to a multi-charity model and a collaborative effort. Beneficiaries include: Friends of the Children, Metropolitan Family Services, New Avenues for Youth, Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel, YWCA Clark County and Special Olympics Oregon. If Martin had a crystal ball, she would predict the addition of a signature summer event to accompany the fall and spring winemaker dinners, as well as an expansion of smaller events around the auction itself, creating a full weekend experience for visiting guests. The 2016 Classic Wines Auction will be held March 5, 2016 at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland.