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The Pinot Noir Auction
 
 
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2026 AUCTION PRESS & PHOTOS

Please find previous auction press releases and event photos below.

Contact Morgen McLaughlin, Executive Director of the Willamette Valley Wineries Association, with any media inquiries.

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Whimsy & Wonder: Tenth Annual Willamette Valley Wine Auction Celebrates a Decade of Collaboration and Craft

The Willamette Valley Wineries Association (WVWA) announces the successful conclusion of the Tenth Annual Willamette Valley Wine Auction, held May 13–14, 2026. Celebrating its 10th anniversary with the theme Whimsy & Wonder, the two-day event brought together wine trade, collectors, winemakers, and industry supporters while raising more than $600,000 through sponsorships, ticket sales, and lot sales to support WVWA’s marketing, branding, and educational initiatives.

This year’s auction featured wines and collaborations from 78 Willamette Valley wineries, with collectors and trade buyers from 27 states and Washington, D.C., participating online and in person. Across the two-day event, bidders competed for 41 online lots and 36 trade-only live auction lots, including rare wines unavailable through tasting rooms or traditional retail channels, as well as three experience-based lots. Each wine lot was produced exclusively for the auction in a limited quantity of just five cases, or 60 bottles.

The anniversary year also marked meaningful growth in bidder engagement. More than half of successful live-auction buyers participated for the first time, while active online bidders more than doubled compared to 2025.

Held at two celebrated Willamette Valley locations, Abbey Road Farm and Domaine Serene, the auction combined educational programming, culinary experiences, and one-of-a-kind wines that showcased the region’s depth, creativity, and craftsmanship.

Top-performing lots included standout offerings from Alexana Winery—whose lots have now claimed the auction’s top spot for the past two years—and Argyle Winery, making for a particularly meaningful moment as the winery of 2026 Auction Chair Elizabeth Clark. One of the event’s collaborative lots, “Common Ground,” brought together Hyland Estates, Lingua Franca, Nicolas-Jay, and Soléna Estate to showcase wine crafted from the iconic Hyland Vineyard.

Top 10 Lots

  • Alexana - $25,000

  • Argyle - $15,000

  • Hyland Estates, Lingua Franca, Nicolas Jay, Soléna Estate - $13,000

  • Bergström Wines - $12,500

  • Domaine Divio & Soléna Estate - $12,500

  • Elk Cove Vineyards - $12,000

  • Bethel Heights - $11,500

  • Bethel Heights & Cristom Vineyards - $10,500

  • Penner-Ash Wine Cellars - $10,000

  • 00 Wines - $10,000

The “It Takes a Valley” experience lot, an immersive four-day Willamette Valley getaway for four guests, sold online for $11,000.

Additional anniversary highlights included a four-women collaborative Chardonnay crafted by Argyle, Luisa Wines, Matzinger-Davies, and Ridgecrest; an original oil painting by artist and winemaker James Frey paired with his sparkling wine lot from Trisaetum; and a rare blending experience with Maggie Harrison and Mimi Adams of Antica Terra.

“The Willamette Valley Wine Auction has always been about more than exceptional wine,” said Morgen McLaughlin, executive director of the WVWA. “It’s a celebration of the collaborative spirit that defines this region. Ten years in, we are incredibly grateful to the wineries, trade partners, bidders, sponsors, and supporters who continue to invest in the future of Willamette Valley wine and help share this region’s story with the world.”

The 2024 vintage has already generated excitement among media and trade for its balance, vibrancy, and age-worthy structure. Every wine featured in the auction was crafted exclusively for the event, offering bidders rare access to limited-production wines that capture the individuality and excellence of the Willamette Valley.

As the auction marks its tenth anniversary, it continues to serve as a powerful platform for showcasing the region’s wines while directly reinvesting in WVWA-led marketing, branding, and education programs that support the long-term success of the Willamette Valley.

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Auction Photos by Easton Richmond

Auction Photos by Easton Richmond

2025 AUCTION PRESS & PHOTOS

 

WHIMSY & WONDER: NINTH ANNUAL Willamette Valley Wine Auction CAPTIVATES TRADE & COLLECTORS ALIKE

The Willamette Valley Wineries Association (WVWA) is thrilled to announce the successful conclusion of the Ninth Annual Willamette Valley Wine Auction, held May 14–15, 2025. With a reimagined two-day format and the debut of both sparkling wines and single-case bidding increments, this year’s event raised an impressive $614,115 through sponsorship, ticket sales, and lot sales to support WVWA’s marketing, branding, and education initiatives.

More than 80 trade bidders from 35 states and three countries participated in the auction, bidding both online and in person for 70 exclusive lots from the highly acclaimed 2023 vintage. For the first time, a select group of wine collectors joined trade attendees on day one to preview featured lots and participate in the online auction. On day two, the live auction brought together trade bidders competing for one-of-a-kind wines, available exclusively through resale by the winning bidders.

Auction Highlights

  • Top Lot:  Lot #32 2023 Alexana Mosaic - In Blue Pinot noir – $30,000

  • Lot #24: 2023 Antica Terra Alder Creek Pinot noir – $25,000

  • Lot #18 2023 Bethel Heights Kaleidoscope Chardonnay – $18,000

  • Highlight Lot from the Online Auction: It Takes A Valley – $10,000 (A multi-day auction lot for four offered rare, behind-the-scenes access to Willamette Valley wine country, with private tastings, vineyard stays, and immersive winemaker experiences. Learn more)

The average lot price for the trade-only auction reached $10,774, and the average bottle price soared to $180—the highest ever recorded for the live auction (compared to the previous high of $160 per bottle in 2019).

The two-day celebration began on May 14 with The Whimsy Experience at Abbey Road Farm, where trade and collector guests enjoyed 39 auction wines—many of them sparkling debuts—alongside cuisine from top local chefs, live music, and educational seminars. Thirty-nine lots were also offered for online bidding, with standout results including the It Takes A Valley highlight lot.

On May 15, The Wonder Experience at the Domaine Serene Clubhouse welcomed trade bidders for an intimate, high-energy in-person auction featuring a seasonal lunch from acclaimed Portland chef Aaron Barnett of St. Jack. Spirited bidding was led by renowned auctioneer Charles Antin of Zachys, whose dynamic style sparked lively competition and cheers throughout the afternoon. Collaborative winemaker pairs took the stage to present their wines among the 31 live lots, adding to the excitement and community spirit.

“The caliber of wines showcased this year was nothing short of world-class,” said Joshua Wludyka, Auction Chair and Brand Director at Lingua Franca. “These wines represent the depth, diversity, and precision of Willamette Valley winemaking—each one a testament to the remarkable talent and terroir of our region. We’re incredibly grateful to the attendees, bidders, and supporters who helped bring this celebration to life. Your participation ensures that the Willamette Valley continues to shine on the world stage.”

The 2023 vintage has already earned praise for its balance, freshness, and complexity—thanks to a cooler start to the season followed by ideal ripening conditions. All wines in the auction were crafted exclusively for this event, showcasing the Valley’s distinct AVAs, innovation, and craftsmanship.

 

photos: carolyn wells kramer
@carolyn_wells_kramer

Photographer credit required when using these images.

2024 AUCTION PRESS & PHOTOS

 
DOWNLOAD THE 2024 PRESS RELEASE
 

photos: carolyn wells kramer
@carolyn_wells_kramer

Photographer credit required when using these images.

DOWNLOAD THE 2023 PRESS RELEASE

2021 AUCTION PRESS

 

At Willamette: The Pinot Noir Auction on August 5, 2021, bidders raised an impressive $611,000 on wine lots, with additional sponsorship funds bringing the Auction total to $705,100. We are grateful to our bidders, sponsors and wineries, and the behind-the-scenes vendors, event staff and volunteers who all came together to make this event possible.

 
 
 

2021 AUCTION PRESS AND 2019 VINTAGE PREVIEW

 
 
 

“I will remember 2019 as challenging at every turn as a growing season, but from the earliest fermentations, through elevage, and now to bottling in early 2021, I have marveled at the delicacy, complexity and graceful architecture of the vintage.”

– Ben Casteel, Bethel Heights

 
VIEW VINTAGE REPORT FOR THIS YEAR'S AUCTION

2020 AUCTION PRESS AND 2018 VINTAGE COVERAGE

 

At Willamette: The Pinot Noir Online Auction 2020, not only were critical funds raised to support the Willamette Valley Winery Association’s (WVWA) education and marketing initiatives, but an additional $100,000 was raised to support the James Beard Foundation’s Food & Beverage Investment Fund for Black and Indigenous Americans, part of the larger JBF Open for Good campaign. View and download our press release announcing the results of the first-ever 2020 Online Auction.

Oregon Wine Press
Lots to Discuss

SevenFifty Daily
Wine Auctions Pivot—Quite Profitably—to the Virtual World

The Vintner Project
Online Auction Reflects Classic Oregonian Spirit

Wine Industry Advisor
Willamette: The Pinot Noir Auction’s Online Pivot Raised Funds for the Willamette Valley Wineries Association and the James Beard Foundation’s Open for Good Campaign

Wine Industry Advisor
Portland Basketball Superstar CJ McCollum Is 2020 Auction Ambassador for Willamette: The Pinot Noir Auction

Forbes
‘Willamette: The Pinot Noir Auction’ Goes Online For The First Time In 2020

The Buyer
‘Goldilocks’ 2018 vintage shines at all new Willamette Pinot Noir auction

Vinous
Oregon Pinot Noir: The Winning Streak Continues

The Drinks Business
Willamette Valley Pinot Noir Auction Opens Tomorrow

Portland Business Journal
Willamette pinot noir auction shifts online to aid restaurants

Wine & Whiskey Globe
Willamette Pinot Auction Goes Virtual—and Will Benefit Beard Foundation

Wine Industry Insight
Willamette Valley Wineries Association Pivots Annual Trade Auction to Benefit Restaurants in Need

 
VIEW VINTAGE REPORT FOR THIS YEAR'S AUCTION

PHOTO GALLERY BY EASTON RICHMOND

2019 AUCTION PRESS AND 2017 VINTAGE COVERAGE

 
 
View Vintage Report for this year’s Auction

PHOTO GALLERY BY EASTON RICHMOND

 
 

2018 AUCTION PRESS AND 2016 VINTAGE COVERAGE

 
 
 

Photo gallery by john valls

2017 AUCTION PRESS

 
 

2016 AUCTION PRESS