Woodinville, WA, August 20, 2015 – Recently DeLille Cellars was recognized as the 2015 Honorary Vintner at the Auction of Washington Wines. The Auction raised a record $2.5 million for Seattle Children’s Hospital.
(L-R) Catherine Hay; Jay Soloff; Co-Founder, DeLille Cellars; Thea Upchurch; Chris Upchurch, Executive Winemaker and Cofounder of DeLille Cellars; Pat Lill Jorgenson, Partner, DeLille Cellars; Thair Jorgenson; Lori Lill, wife of original DeLille Cellars Co-Founder Charles Lill; Greg Lill, DeLille Cellars President/CEO and Co-Founder; Stacy Lill.
“We are thrilled to have been able to publicly acknowledge DeLille Cellars’ years of support to both the wine industry in Washington and to our event. They have been powerful leaders in many ways and it was an honor to call them out,” noted Sherri Swingle, Auction of Washington Wines Interim Director. “The Honorary Vintner is peer selected and represents leadership and contribution in the Washington State wine industry.”
As part of the three-day event agenda, DeLille Cellars offered a library vertical tasting of its Chaleur Estate Blanc, to celebrate that wine’s 20th vintage. “Our mission at DeLille, since 1992, is to create special wines from the uniquely expressive terroir and optimal weather conditions of the Pacific Northwest,” stated Chris Upchurch, Executive Winemaker and Cofounder of DeLille. “I’m honored and grateful to be recognized by the Washington State wine industry. I’m equally thrilled that we raised a record amount of money for the kids.” “It was an honor that DeLille was called upon by our peers to be this year’s Honorary Vintner,” added Greg Lill, CEO and Cofounder.
In addition, the winery contributed several lots which were auctioned throughout the event. Highlights included:
- Melchior of DeLille Cellars Shaw Cabernet 18L sold for $13,000
- The Vancouver Canucks – DeLille Luxury Hockey Night in Canada lot sold for $13,000 (donated by Anna and Barry Olivier representing Aquilini Brands)
- The seven – 6.0 liter bottle Red Mountain lot in which DeLille was featured sold for $6,000
About DeLille Cellars
DeLille Cellars is a boutique artisan winery located in Woodinville, Washington. The winery was founded in 1992 by Charles and Greg Lill, Jay Soloff and celebrated winemaker Chris Upchurch. DeLille was the first winery in Washington State to focus on creating Bordeaux-style wine blends. From the beginning, the winery has looked towards the prestigious Red Mountain AVA as the foundation of its wines, using grapes from its own vineyards in combination with fruit from other top sites in the Yakima Valley.
DeLille produces six Bordeaux-styled wines: Grand Ciel, Chaleur Estate Rouge, D2, Harrison Hill, Four Flags and Chaleur Estate Blanc. The winery also produces the Doyenne wines which include classic northern Rhone Syrah – awarded as one of the great 15 Syrahs of the world; the Grand Ciel Syrah from their own Estate vineyard, a Roussanne; Métier, as Southern Rhone-style red wine; Aix, a Provence-style red wine and a Bandol-style Rosé. Robert Parker Jr. of the Wine Advocate rated DeLille Cellars and Doyenne as two of the top 12 Washington producers, bestowing the title of the “Lafite Rothschild” of Washington State. DeLille Cellars has a traditional “chai” chateau winery located on the 10 acre Lill Family Estate which overlooks the Woodinville valley floor below as well as its Carriage House tasting room.
DeLille Cellars is a Bacchus Capital portfolio company. For more information, visit www.delillecellars.com
About Bacchus Capital Management
Bacchus Capital Management is an investment firm providing strategic capital and making equity investments in United States wineries and wine businesses.
Current Bacchus portfolio companies are: DeLille Cellars, Madrigal Family Winery, Maritime Wine Trading Collective, Panther Creek Cellars, Sbragia Family Vineyards, Dobbes Family Estate / Wine by Joe. Prior Bacchus portfolio companies are Andretti Winery, Cameron Hughes Wine, and Qupé.
For more information, visit www.bacchuswinefund.com
