The wine poured freely at the Washington Wines Festival 2nd annual Wine Weekend event held on the grounds of the 818-acre Carnation Farm.
Washington Wines Festival held true to its 18-year tradition of giving back to the community, raising more than $1.1 million in support of Camp Korey, a free of charge, medically supervised camp for seriously ill children.
The weekend-long festival, held during the second weekend of July, also supported the Washington Wine Education Foundation to promote awareness of the Washington wine industry.
A crowd of more than 300 guests gathered for the weekend festival and took part in exclusive winemaker dinners, day activities including golf swing tips from a PGA pro and fly fishing instruction, a silent and live auction, a wine tasting, and a special live performance by legendary singer and songwriter Carole King.
The singer mingled with guests on Friday evening during the winemaker dinners featuring 11 different wineries and renowned chefs Tom Douglas of Tom Douglas Restaurants and Jason Wilson of Crush among others.
“Carole King was so gracious with the guests and very down to earth,” said Jim Rose, the event chair for the Washington Wines Festival. “Just speaking to her you could tell how much she supported Paul Newman and his Whole in the Wall Camps.”
While on stage, King paid tribute to her old friend, Newman and to Korey Rose, the inspiration for Camp Korey. King also sang an impromptu rendition of Happy Birthday for Jim Rose along with the concert crowd.
The camp, founded by Tim Rose in honor of his son, Korey, who lost his battle to osteosacrmoa in 2004, provides a week-long experience of camp programs and activities for children ages 7 to 16 at no cost to them. Camp Korey is in the process of becoming an official member of Paul Newman’s Whole in the Wall Camps. Since 1982, the Neiman’s Own Foundation has donated more than $265 million to benefit a variety of charities.
Tom Indoe of Neiman’s Own raised his bid card during the raise the paddle portion of the Wine Weekend live auction, donating $50,000 for Camp Korey.
“I knew if Paul (Newman) was here,” Indoe said, “he wouldn’t think twice about raising his paddle. He was such a believer in giving back to the children,” he added.
The raise the paddle portion of the weekend raised $253,000 for Camp Korey. The top-selling auction lot included a private deep-sea fishing trip for four with Camp Korey founder Tim Rose, vintner Greg Lille of DeLille Cellars and donor Joe Bundrant of Trident Seafoods. The top bid for the fishing trip came down to two bidders and eventually split for two separate trips, each selling for $65,000.
Two fly fishing trips for six people to Ruby Springs Lodge in Montana hosted by Tim Rose and Washington Wines Festival co-Chairman Jim Rose were sold for $50,000 and $45,000.
Following the silent auction, a cake was brought out in celebration of Jack A. Benaroya’s 88th birthday, the founder of the Benaroya Company and key player in bringing Benaroya Hall in Seattle through a $15.8M donation.
The crowd joined together to sing Benaroya Happy Birthday.
Komo 4 News Anchors’ Dan Lewis and Kathi Goertzen took the stage prior to the live auction portion of the evening, along with Jim Rose who thanked the crowd for their support of the Washington Wines Festival.
Tim Rose was brought to tears as he stood on stage and paid tribute to his son’s legacy.
“Every time the sun is shining, I know it’s Korey smiling down,” he said.
Following the live auction, Tillicum Village and El Gaucho Restaurants provided a salmon and steak barbeque-style dinner.
“The support from the community and the wine industry is overwhelming,” Tim Rose said. “The laughter of the kids and the smiles on their faces brings this place to life.”
This summer camps include five full-sessions, welcoming kids with facial difference, mitochondrial disease, and children with liver and intestine transplants. It costs approximately $2,500 for a week of camp for a child. Camp Korey works with the community to raise funds to cover the cost for all campers.
To learn more about Camp Korey, visit www.campkorey.org. For more about Washington Wine Festival, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, visit www.washingtonwinesfestival.com.
