Temp staffing firm opens in Seattle
Wine Temps Northwest launched in Seattle on Sept. 29. It aims to be the premier source of temporary labor for the Washington wine industry, providing placement for wine professionals, students and enthusiasts. The new company was founded by Internet executive Debra Keene Bergeron to fill the gap left after the dissolution in June of the Washington Wine Commission’s volunteer Ambassador Program because of legal fears. For more information, visit winetempsnw.com.

Washington auction raises $1.5 million
The 22nd annual Auction of Washington Wines, Aug. 13-15 at Chateau Ste. Michelle in Woodinville, raised the sum to benefit uncompensated care at Seattle Children’s Hospital, and the Washington Wine Education Foundation. For details, visit washingtonwine.org.

Shelf segregation for B.C. wines 
British Columbia Agriculture Minister Steve Thomson announced in October that bottles containing imported bulk wine and labeled “Cellared in B.C.” will no longer be displayed beside wines made only from B.C. grapes at provincial government liquor stores.

Canada invests in exports
The government of Canada is investing $318,100 to help the nation’s grape and wine producers build international markets. Funded  through the AgriMarketing Program Growing Forward framework, the grant supports the Canadian Vintners Association’s ongoing international market development and trade efforts, including protection of ice wine interests and development of promotional materials.

Chicago welcomes Washington
The Washington State Wine Commission hosted an outdoor wine tasting in the Windy City’s Millennium Park on Sept. 14. The crowd of mostly restaurant and retail outlet buyers sampled more than 85 Washington wines, the most at any commission trade tasting ever held outside of Washington state. The event launched a WWC campaign to raise awareness through its Road Trip Washington Wine program. For more information, visit washingtonwine.org/roadtrip.

New communications manager at BCWI 
Lindsay Anders joined the British Columbia Wine Institute (BCWI)  as communications manager, responsible for media and public relations as well as member and stakeholder communications. She was most recently marketing coordinator for Quails’ Gate Estate Winery. Reach her at (250) 762-9744, ext. 103, or e-mail landers@winebc.com.

Pioneer winemaker David Lake dies 
Lake, a native of Canada, began his career in the British wine trade, then moved to the West Coast to work at The Eyrie Vineyard in Dundee, Ore. He was hired by Associated Vintners in Seattle (now Columbia Winery in Woodinville, Wash.,) where he made his first vintage in 1979. He and Mike Sauer of Red Willow Vineyard are credited with planting the first Syrah grapes in Washington in 1985. Lake also championed Pinot Gris, Viognier, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. In recent years, he had suffered from both heart problems and cancer; he retired from day-to-day winery activities in 2005, and the cause of his death at age 65 on Oct. 5 was not immediately known.