WOODINVILLE, Wash. — The Auction of Washington Wines, one of the top five charitable wine auctions in the U.S., has selected Walla Walla photojournalist Richard Duval for its 2024 Star Award.
This year marks the 37th annual Auction of Washington Wines, and the presentation to Duval will be part of the third annual TOAST! Honoree Celebration on Thursday, Aug. 8 at Sparkman Cellars in Woodinville.
Each of this year’s nine TOAST! recipients will be revealed this week via GreatNorthwestWine.com.
Monday — TOAST! Vine to Wine Award: Eduardo Enriquez, Corliss Estates
Monday — TOAST! Healthy Land, Healthy Communities Award: Kiona Vineyards and Winery
Monday — TOAST! Award of Distinction: Markus Keller, Washington State University
Tuesday — TOAST! Emerging Leader: Jordan Small, Woodward Canyon Winery
Tuesday — TOAST! Emerging Leader: Matías Kúsulas, Gård Vintners/Desert Wind Winery/Massalto/Valo
Tuesday — TOAST! Emerging Leader: Stacy Buchanan, Blood of Gods
Wednesday — TOAST! Wine Industry Champion: Chris Stone, Washington State Wine Commission
Wednesday — Auction of Washington Wines Star Award: Richard Duval, WinePix
Wednesday — TOAST! Lifetime Achievement Award: Rick Small and Darcey Fugman-Small, Woodward Canyon Winery
The festive Winemaker Picnic & Barrel Auction — with the auction component sponsored by Seattle author/wine merchant Paul Zitarelli and his Full Pull Wines — is Friday, Aug. 9 on the campus of Château Ste. Michelle in Woodinville. That will be followed by the auction’s signature Gala on Saturday, Aug. 10. The Gala Online Auction begins Tuesday, Aug. 6 and runs through Aug. 10.
Money raised throughout the year by Auction of Washington Wines programs provides support to Seattle Children’s, the Washington State University viticulture and enology program and grant partner Vital Wines in the Walla Walla Valley.
Previously announced honorees for the 2024 Auction of Washington Wines include Leslie Sbrocco (Honorary Chair), Christophe Baron of Bionic Wines (Honorary Vintner) and Robert Rivera of Goose Ridge Estate Vineyard (Honorary Grower). Co-chairs are Laura and Ian MacNeil with John and Deanna Oppenheimer.
“We are delighted to recognize these outstanding individuals for their substantial contributions to the Washington wine industry,” says Jamie Peha, executive director of the Auction of Washington Wines since 2019. “Their dedication, innovation and passion have been instrumental in shaping the success and reputation of the region as a whole.”
Sponsors of the TOAST Honoree Celebration include Republic National Distributing Co., Saxco, Woodinville Wine Country, Washington State Wine Commission, Château Ste. Michelle and Trysk Print Solutions.
The Auction of Washington Wines Star Award was created to recognize a donor, organization or individual whose commitment has significantly advanced AWW’s mission of uplifting the Washington wine industry and supporting the community. Duval’s on-going storytelling through his artistic and award-winning images epitomizes the parameters of the award.
“I go where they grow” is his tagline.
This will be the 15th year for Duval serving as the lead photographer for the Auction of Washington Wines. Along the way, he’s captured vivid wine imagery for regional and national media, marketing organizations and an ever-growing number of Pacific Northwest wineries.
Duval’s work regularly appears in Great Northwest Wine, Northwest Wine Report and Oregon Wine Press. He’s the chief photographer for the Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance and a regular contributor to the Washington State Wine Commission, Wine Business Monthly, Good Fruit Grower, Wine Enthusiast, Wine Spectator and regional travel guides.
Ste. Michelle Wine Estates selected his image of its iconic château for the cover of its 2017 commemorative book authored by Peter Blecha — Chateau Ste. Michelle: The First 50 Years.
A Richard Duval Image of historic Sagemoor Vineyard became the cover of Signature Wines and Wineries of Washington, published in 2018 by Panache Partners. His technical work has appeared in news publications such as New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, The Financial Times and Fortune.
His devotion to journalism is deeply rooted, having graduated from Washington State University’s storied journalism program. However, he didn’t immediately leave the classroom, spending several years as a high school teacher in the Spokane area. He then entered the world of public relations and marketing communications for high-tech companies and non-profit organizations in the Seattle area for nearly three decades.
Along the way, the staunch supporter of WSU earned a master’s in communication from the University of Washington, launched an early online greeting card business and recorded Notes to Myself — an album of improvisational piano music. (He is a Broadcast Media Inc., recording artist.)
Duval also markets his work via WinePix.net, a line of personal greeting cards and through his exhibit of wine fine art titled Art from the Vine which he stages in wineries, tasting rooms and wine venues throughout the state.
“Simply put,” Duval says, “my aim is to help drive recognition and revenue for Washington wines; to find new ways to capture compelling wine images that help promote and sell our wine.”
Another passion is his lifelong pursuit of the perfect pizza dough. As a self-taught pizzaiolo, he performs as a guest chef for fundraising dinners.
In 2021, he moved to Walla Walla with his wife Leslee, who creates the WinePix greeting cards series and is raising their young cockapoo — appropriately named Wally.
Congratulations Richard from Marie and Rita in Connecticut!
Congratulations, my friend! Well deserved! I’ve known and loved your work since your early days of capturing the luscious spray of water on rocks and the pulsing colors of a sunset. Your winery and vineyard images continue to excite and inspire.
Yay Richard! You are such a deserving recipient of this honor. You constantly champion this industry and are a friend to all. Big hugs.