Illustration of The Somm. Hotel & Spa

The Auction of Washington Wines, a non-profit organization founded to support growth and raise awareness of the state’s wine industry, will host its annual gala in August at The Somm. Hotel & Spa in Woodinville. The newly developed hotel is slated to open this summer. It will be the first time in 38 years that the gala has taken place beyond the grounds of Chateau Ste. Michelle.

“It was time to bring new energy and excitement to our event series,” says Jamie Peha, executive director of the Auction of Washington Wines. “We look forward to attracting a broader audience and expanding our presence in Woodinville.” (Full disclosure: My wife works for the Auction.)

The gala, the first event to be held at the hotel, will take place inside the hotel’s ballroom, which can accommodate up to 450 people. The event will be preceded by the Gala Social on The Somm.’s large outdoor patio as well as an indoor pre-function space. There will also be a limited number of Gala Social-only tickets, a first. Following the gala, there will be an after party at the hotel’s rooftop bar, The Shed.

“The hotel’s urban wine-theme feel will give Gala a new modern look and provide the opportunity for us to engage more of the wine community in the event,” Peha says.

In the prior 37 years, the Auction has constructed a tent on the grounds of Chateau Ste. Michelle for the gala. This has also involved carpeting the space, building a dais, installing commercial-style kitchens to cook dinner, and renting all of the necessary amenities and equipment. Now, none of that will need to occur, which will be a considerable financial savings.

“All of this will positively impact our charity partners as well,” Peha says. The Auction’s partners include Seattle Children’s, Washington State University’s Viticulture and Enology department, and an industry grant, which currently supports Vital Wines.

The Auction of Washington Wine’s Winemaker Picnic & Barrel Auction will continue to take place on the grounds of Chateau Ste. Michelle, as in previous years. Toast!, an industry recognition event, will take place for the second year at Sparkman Cellars.

The change in locations of the Auction’s gala is indicative of the recent development in Woodinville. While home to over 120 wineries and tasting rooms, until the construction of The Somm. Hotel, there has been no other space within the town that could accommodate an event of the gala’s size except the grounds at Ste. Michelle. Having a component of the Auction take place at a hotel has other advantages as well.

“We are now able to offer an overnight component for guests that want to enhance their experience, and they will be within walking distance to many tasting rooms,” Peha says.

The Somm. Hotel & Spa broke ground in 2023. The hotel will have 164 rooms and suites as well as 25,000 square feet of event space. In addition to the hotel’s rooftop bar, there will be a restaurant and bar, Bin 47. Vin de Spa will be a full-service spa with rooftop treatment tents and hot tubs.

Woodinville Hotel Partners owns The Somm. Hotel. Columbia Hospitality will manage the property. Columbia Hospitality founder and chairman John Oppenheimer is co-chair of Auction of Washington Wines.

“We’re thrilled to welcome gala attendees for the first time to The Somm. Hotel & Spa,” Oppenheimer says. “There’s no better venue to host such a meaningful event.”

The Somm. Hotel & Spa is part of Harvest Woodinville. When completed, the project will include townhomes, tasting rooms, and retail spaces on a 20-acre property.

The Auction of Washington Wines was founded in 1988. To date, the Auction has raised $68M for its philanthropic partners.

“We are excited about the opportunities that 2025 will bring,” Peha says.

Do you enjoy Northwest Wine Report? If you do and haven’t subscribed already, please do so. This site is 100% subscriber funded and is my primary source of income. None of the content can be created without you subscribing. Subscribe here. It’s the cost per month of a cup of coffee and a crumpet.

To receive articles via email, click here.