SEATTLE – Two men with great history in Washington wine country and an internationally renowned writer will be honored this summer at the 29th annual Auction of Washington Wines.

Mike Januik of Januik Winery will be the event’s honorary vintner, Todd Newhouse of Upland Vineyards will be the honorary grower, and Jeb Dunnuck of Wine Advocate is the honorary chair.

The Auction takes place Aug. 18-20, primarily at Chateau Ste. Michelle in Woodinville.

Dunnuck was tapped by legendary wine critic Robert Parker to write about Washington for his Wine Advocate newsletter in 2013. Dunnuck, who launched The Rhône Report in 2008, also covers wines of France’s Rhône Valley, Southern Rhône and California for Wine Advocate.

Jean-François Pellet, winemaker for Pepper Bridge Winery in Walla Walla and co-chair of this year’s Auction of Washington Wines, said Dunnuck is a great choice.

“Each year, the Auction of Washington Wines seeks to honor those who have contributed to the ongoing success of the Washington wine industry,” he said in a press release. “Jeb was one of the first to recognize Washington’s viticultural versatility, celebrating our incredible Rhône varietals while acknowledging our strength in Bordeaux styles. In this sense, he’s helped to pioneer the amazing diversity we see in vineyards and wineries across the state.”

The honorary vintner for this year’s auction is one of Washington’s longest-serving winemakers. Januik’s first vintage was 1984. He arrived at Chateau Ste. Michelle as its head winemaker in 1990. With the recent retirement of Lou Facelli, Januik is now the longest-tenured winemaker in Woodinville.

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