The Classic Wines Auction is one of the largest fundraisers in Oregon—raising over $26 million for Portland-area charities since 1982—and this year it’s getting even bigger. The auction will be the capstone of a week-long celebration of wine, beginning February 27 and extending to the night of the auction on March 3rd.

The Week of Wine kicks off with the Walla Walla Wine tasting at Pure Space in Northwest Portland. Twenty-one Walla Walla wineries will be pouring new releases and library selections, and winemakers will be on hand to give their perspective on the growing influence of wines from the Walla Walla Valley. The event kicks off at 6 pm, and the $60 tickets can be purchased here.

Throughout the week, Portland restaurants are getting in on the vino action with winemaker dinners throughout the Metro area. There are still tickets available to several of these exclusive and intimate dinners, including Beaker & Flask and Crown Paella at KitchenCru featuring Apolloni Vineyards and Gilbert Cellars, Clyde Common at The Cleaners featuring Syncline Wine Cellars and Trisaetum, Irving Street Kitchen featuring Buty Winery and J.K. Carriere Wines, Nel Centro featuring the wines of Andrew Rich, and Noble Rot featuring Argyle Winery and Woodward Canyon Winery.

The big event, the 2012 Classic Wines Auction, will take place on Saturday, March 3rd beginning at 5 pm. Over 750 wine and food lovers from around the country will gather at the Oregon Convention Center for a food and wine reception, a five-course dinner prepared by Cory Schreiber and Adam Sappington, top national and international wine pairings, and a silent and live auction. Some of the big names in featured wine will include Oregon’s own Evening Land Vineyards, DeLille Cellars from Woodinville, Washington, Fontanafredda from Piedmont, and Sbragia Family Vineyards from Geyserville, California.

Events throughout the week range from $60 to $150 per person, and proceeds from the food and wine gatherings will benefit Metropolitan Family Service, New Avenues for Youth, Friends of the Children Portland and YWCA Clark County. For more information, including a full list of participating restaurants and wineries, head over to the Classic Wines Auction website.