Willamette Valley’s ¡Salud! is exactly what you might think: a celebration and toast to good health. Of course, an effective toast calls for something to toast with, so naturally, the healthcare-devoted event takes place in the form of a Pinot Noir auction. A collaboration between Oregon winemakers and Hillsboro, Oregon’s Tuality Healthcare physicians, ¡Salud! honors the unique relationship these two parties have established in the name of providing healthcare to Oregon’s seasonal vineyard workers and their families.
“The ¡Salud! project is supported 100 percent through proceeds of the annual auction and other generous donations,” Tuality Healthcare Foundation manager Maria McCandless says. Since its beginnings in 1991, the event has indeed attracted an incredible turnout of wine lovers and winemakers.
Not only do top-tier Oregon winemakers support ¡Salud!, but McCandless says they “blend one-of-a-kind cuvees of wine available exclusively at ¡Salud!.” This exclusivity drives the industry both with competition among winemakers and motivation for attendance among guests—a quite literal interpretation of healthy competition.
This year’s ¡Salud! auction takes place on Friday, November 13 and Saturday, November 14. Friday kicks off the weekend at Ponzi Vineyards with previews of the prized Pinots, where guests discuss the vintages with winemakers and choose their favorites. On Saturday, the party shifts to The Allison Inn & Spa for the Dinner and Auction Gala. Guests start off with hors d’oeuvres and wine tastings followed by a gourmet dinner prepared specially to pair with the array of Oregon Pinot Noir. The main event, the auction, occurs shortly thereafter. Guests can bid on their favorite wines, winemaker experiences and travel packages while raising money for the benefit.
Tickets are available to both events here, although Saturday-only tickets are not currently available at this time. Due to the success of ¡Salud!, the program also puts on Summertime ¡Salud!, held in July. If you can’t attend the November event, mark your calendar for the summer soiree of raising glasses and funds.
