Sonoma County Wine Auction Paddle Raise

2021 Sonoma County Wine Auction Spotlights Iconic Alumni Honorary Chairs

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SANTA ROSA, California – July 28, 2021 – Today, Sonoma County Vintners Foundation is pleased to announce an iconic group of Alumni Honorary Chairs for this year’s Sonoma County Wine Auction. The Jackson Family of Jackson Family Wines, George F. Hamel, Jr. & The Hamel Family of Hamel Family Wines, and Dan Kosta of AldenAlli Winery will come together to support this top charitable live wine auction taking place September 16-18.

“We are incredibly honored to be working with such a remarkable group of industry leaders whose amazing generosity, support and commitment to this auction over the years has had a profound and positive impact on Sonoma County and our non-profit community,” stated Michael Haney, Sonoma County Vintners Executive Director.  “They truly demonstrate the wonderful collaborative spirit of Sonoma County.”

The Sonoma County Wine Auction brings the region’s renowned winemakers and growers together with distinguished collectors and generous bidders for an opportunity to acquire some of Sonoma County’s top wines and bid on once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Funds raised support the Sonoma County Vintners Foundation which helps support non-profits focusing on education and literacy, health & human services, the environment, and arts & culture. The auction has raised over $37 million since its inception and has been named one of the nation’s top charitable wine auctions by Wine Spectator.

“The past few years have presented our county with an unprecedented number of challenges,” says Clay Mauritson, President of the Sonoma County Vintners Foundation. “Through the generosity and amazing support of our wine community, sponsor partners, donors, event participants and volunteers, the funds raised at this year’s auction will not only help address these extraordinary challenges, but will also positively impact the works of our charitable beneficiaries and the lives of those most in need in our community.”

Tickets for the 2021 Sonoma County Wine Auction are $2,500 per person and include the weekend package: Thursday’s BEST.PARTY.EVER kick-off celebration, Friday’s vintner dinners and Saturday’s auction which will be held at the beautiful La Crema Estate at Saralee’s Vineyard. Information and details about the 2021 Sonoma County Wine Auction lots will be announced soon.

To register and to learn more please visit sonomacountywineauction.com.

To make a donation, contributions may be made payable and mailed to: Sonoma County Vintners Foundation, 400 Aviation Boulevard, Suite 500, Santa Rosa, CA 95403 or donate online at https://donorbox.org/sonoma-county-vintners-foundation.

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About Sonoma County Wine Auction
The Sonoma County Wine Auction brings the region’s most renowned winemakers and growers together with distinguished collectors and generous bidders for an opportunity to acquire some of Sonoma County’s top wines and bid on incredible travel experiences. Named one of the nation’s top charitable auctions by Wine Spectator, the proceeds raised benefit local Sonoma County charitable organizations. Since its inception, the Sonoma County Wine Auction has raised over $37 million to help fund charitable organizations focusing on education, health and human services, the environment and arts and culture, and has supported more nonprofits than any other fundraising event in Sonoma County. Learn more at sonomacountywineauction.com.

About Sonoma County Vintners Foundation
The Sonoma County Vintners Foundation provides support to our local community through philanthropy and charitable giving. Fundraising efforts have a direct impact in the areas of education, health and human services, the environment and arts and culture. The signature fundraising event, Sonoma County Wine Auction has been recognized as one of Wine Spectator’s Top Charity Wine Auctions in the United States. Learn more at sonomawine.com/foundation.

 

Sonoma County Vintners Foundation Announces $1 Million Community Grant Distribution to Support Pandemic Relief

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SANTA ROSA, Calif. (July 7, 2021) – Today, the Sonoma County Vintners Foundation announces a distribution of $1 million in Community Grants to 87 Sonoma County nonprofits that have been greatly impacted during the pandemic.

“We are honored to contribute to the incredible organizations that make Sonoma County an amazing place to live,” says Sonoma County Vintners Foundation President, Clay Mauritson. “The pandemic has been a challenge for all, but especially for those in our non-profit community. This year’s approach was to prioritize and focus the grant distribution to address the challenges and pressing needs they face.”

Through the tremendous support and generosity of the Sonoma County wine community, donors, and sponsor partners, proceeds from the annual Sonoma County Wine Auction are distributed through Community Grants to Sonoma County non-profit organizations each year. This year’s grants were funded from the 2020 Sonoma County Wine Auction.

The Sonoma County Vintners Foundation partners with the Community Foundation Sonoma County, who provides insights to aid in distributing the annual funding. In the past five years grants have been distributed to 339 organizations dedicated to education & literacy, health & human services, the environment and arts & culture.

This year’s insights concluded that the pandemic greatly impacted education and literacy in Sonoma County. Recent data indicates 70% of youth are feeling anxious about the future. With this in mind, the Sonoma County Vintners Foundation prioritized nonprofit organizations that are working to bridge the digital divide and those that support youth mental health with an emphasis on serving LGBTQ, BIPOC and low-income youth.

Basic human needs were also exacerbated during the pandemic, especially for vulnerable populations. As a result, grants for health & human services focus on immediate and direct critical safety net services such as access to food, shelter, housing, transportation and medical expenses.

Arts and culture nonprofits were critically impacted by the pandemic, and the funding for the 2021 grants extends support to non-profits that provide culturally diverse programming and audiences.

In addition to the pandemic, Sonoma County has also endured multiple environmental challenges in recent years and this year’s Community Grants continue to address the impacts of fires, floods and related challenges.

The 2021 Sonoma County Wine Auction will be a live event and will take place September 18 at La Crema Estate at Saralee’s Vineyard. Named one of the nation’s top charitable wine auctions, proceeds have supported more non-profits than any other fundraising event in Sonoma County. For more information and to attend, visit: SonomaCountyWineAuction.com.

To make a donation, contributions may be made payable and mailed to: Sonoma County Vintners Foundation, 400 Aviation Boulevard, Suite 500, Santa Rosa, CA 95403 or donate online at https://donorbox.org/sonoma-county-vintners-foundation.

To learn more about the Sonoma County Vintners Foundation visit https://sonomawine.com/sonoma-county-vintners-foundation/.

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About Sonoma County Vintners Foundation
The Sonoma County Vintners Foundation provides support to our local community through philanthropy and charitable giving. Our fundraising efforts have a direct impact in the areas of literacy, education, health and human services, the environment and arts and culture. Our signature fundraising event, Sonoma County Wine Auction has been recognized as one of Wine Spectator’s Top Charity Wine Auctions in the United States. Learn more at SonomaWine.com/Foundation.

About Sonoma County Wine Auction

The Sonoma County Wine Auction brings the region’s most renowned winemakers and growers together with distinguished collectors and generous bidders for an opportunity to acquire some of Sonoma County’s top wines and bid on incredible travel experiences. The proceeds raised benefit local Sonoma County charitable organizations. Since its inception, the Sonoma County Wine Auction has raised over $37 million to help fund charitable organizations focusing on education, health and human services, the environment and arts and culture, and has supported more nonprofits than any other fundraising event in Sonoma County. Learn more at sonomacountywineauction.com.

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Sonoma County Vintners Announces Taste of Sonoma, Presented by Visa Signature®, at Home Virtual Programming in July

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SANTA ROSA, Calif. (May 26, 2021) – Today, the Sonoma County Vintners announces, Taste of Sonoma at Home, presented by Visa Signature®, will feature an incredible virtual program series in July. These programs will showcase the diversity of the wine region that provides a distinct sense of place in world-class wines. Through a partnership with Wine.com consumers can purchase the wine for several programs and participate from home.

“Taste of Sonoma at Home is our celebration of what Sonoma County has to offer. Between the remarkable winemakers, unique wine varietals and stellar Chefs, there is so much inspiration to provide wine and food enthusiasts,” says Sonoma County Vintners Executive Director Michael Haney. “We are proud to share what truly makes Sonoma County special with our partners at Wine.com who have given us the opportunity to provide virtual attendees a one-stop shop to participate in wine tasting for several of the programs.”

Wine.com will partner with Sonoma County Vintners to host a selection of the program’s webinars  illustrating the exceptional quality of Sonoma County wines.  Key panelists from a variety of wineries will share their expertise during the following programs:

July 15, 2021 | Wine.com Hosts: Taste of Sonoma’s Chardonnay Any Way
Explore the terroirs of several of Sonoma County’s unique growing areas. Discover winemaking styles of world-class Chardonnays and uncover a distinct sense of place with critically acclaimed winemakers. The program is live on Zoom Thursday, July 15, 2021 at 4:00-4:45 p.m. PST / 7:00-7:45 p.m. EST. To register, visit: http://bit.ly/WineTOSH.

Participating Wineries:

  • Flowers Vineyards & Winery
  • Gary Farrell Vineyards & Winery
  • Knights Bridge Winery

July 22, 2021 | Garden Tour & Culinary Class Hosted by Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate & Gardens
Join Kendall-Jackson Winery for an interactive virtual garden tour and culinary class hosted by Executive Chef Justin Wangler and Master Culinary Gardener Tucker Taylor. Tucker will tour the stunning four-acre gardens that are filled with a bounty of Sonoma County’s fresh fruits and vegetables. Chef Justin will demonstrate a food and wine pairing inspired by the gardens. The wine line-up includes Kendall-Jackson’s Fulton Ranch Chardonnay, Petaluma Gap Pinot Noir, and Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. The program is live on Zoom Thursday, July 22, 2021 at 4:00-4:45 p.m. PST / 7:00-7:45 p.m. EST. To register, visit: http://bit.ly/TOSHGardenTour.

July 29, 2021 | Wine.com Hosts: Taste of Sonoma’s Red Wine Rotation
Journey to Sonoma County with distinguished winemakers. Try wines from Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, to Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel and Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. A nearly infinite array of microclimates provide the magic for Sonoma County vineyards, but every site has the positive benefit of Sonoma County’s overall ideal combination of weather, temperature, fog and rainfall offering the best for production of premium red wine. The program is live on Zoom Thursday, July 29, 2021 at 4:00-4:45 p.m. PST / 7:00-7:45 p.m. EST. To register, visit: http://bit.ly/WineTOSH.

Participating Wineries:

  • Pedroncelli Winery
  • Francis Ford Coppola Winery
  • La Crema

To sign up for email updates and be the first to know about purchasing tickets for the 2022 Taste of Sonoma at Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate & Gardens, visit TasteofSonoma.com.

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About Sonoma County Vintners
Sonoma County Vintners is the leading voice of Sonoma County wine, dedicated to raising awareness of Sonoma County as one of the world’s premier wine regions which was named Wine Region of the Year by Wine Enthusiast in 2019. Sonoma County Vintners represents over 260 wineries throughout the county. The organization actively promotes Sonoma County through educational programming; advocates for its members at local, state and federal levels; and contributes to the local communities through our Sonoma County Vintners Foundation. Sonoma County Wine Auction, its annual fundraiser, has raised over $37 million benefitting non-profit organizations throughout the region. To learn more about Sonoma County Vintners, visit sonomawine.com.

About 2021 Taste of Sonoma Presenting Sponsor Visa Signature®
Visa Signature® and Visa Infinite® cardholders enjoy year-round benefits at more than 50 premiere Visa Signature wineries. In addition to points, miles, cash back and other premium rewards offered by issuers, Visa Signature and Visa Infinite cardholders also enjoy perks such as 24/7 complimentary concierge services, access to the Visa Luxury Hotel Collection and exclusive offers related to fine wine and food, travel and sports. For more information on Visa Signature, Visa Infinite and other Visa® offerings, please visit Visa Signature Credit Cards – Benefits and Perks.

About Wine.com
Wine.com offers selection, guidance and convenience not found in stores – helping customers discover the incredible world of wine with confidence. Live chat sommeliers provide friendly advice and customers receive unlimited shipping all year by joining StewardShip. Wine.com was recently named Wine Enthusiast’s Retailer of the Year. For more information, visit the company’s website at www.wine.com or download its app in the Apple Store or Google Play.

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Sonoma County Vintners Grape Cluster

Sonoma County Winegrowers and Vintners Partner to Host Virtual Panel on Sustainability in Celebration of Earth Day

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SANTA ROSA, California – April 12, 2021 – Whether you’re drinking red or white wine, we can all think green on Earth Day and celebrate the world’s most sustainable wine region when Sonoma County Winegrowers and Sonoma County Vintners co-host a virtual panel discussion via Zoom on Thursday, April 22 at 11am PST/2pm ET.

Join Sonoma County’s sustainable leaders for an hour-long discussion where you’ll be able to learn why sustainability is important, the ins and outs of what it takes to run a sustainable vineyard and how Sonoma County is changing the global wine landscape. Sonoma County has a record-breaking 99 percent of its local vineyards certified sustainable, making it the most sustainable wine region in the world. The panel will be moderated by Wine Enthusiast’s Virginie Boone, who has long covered Sonoma County for the publication. Scheduled participants include:

The grape growers and winemakers will broadcast live from several of the 18 different AVAs (wine growing appellations) within Sonoma County. As the region looks ahead to a brighter 2021, the panelists will share their personal stories surrounding sustainability, family and what the future looks like in Sonoma County. The webinar is free and open to all and will be an entertaining and informative experience.

The grape growers and winemakers in Sonoma County have long been at the forefront of creating and utilizing sustainable practices and are committed to living and working a lifestyle to ensure businesses and the agricultural heritage in the county will be maintained for years to come, leaving a true legacy behind. The winery and vineyard panel participants represent businesses showcasing a range of sustainability credentials and certifications including California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance (CSWA), Fish Friendly Farming, Sustainability in Farming (SIP), Lodi Rules, and the recently launched Climate Adaptation Certification from the Sonoma County Winegrowers and the California Land Stewardship Institute.

Interested members of the media and consumers can register online for the free event. To promote the event, individuals are encouraged to use the following hashtags: #SonomaWine #SustainableAgriculture. Participants will be able to ask questions virtually at the end of the discussion.

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About Sonoma County Winegrowers
The Sonoma County Winegrape Commission, also known as Sonoma County Winegrowers (SCW), was established in 2006 as a marketing and educational organization dedicated to the promotion and preservation of Sonoma County as one of the world’s premier grape growing regions. SCW has oversight by California Department of Food and Agriculture which supports producer regions. With more than 1,800 growers, SCW’s goal is to increase awareness and recognition of the quality and diversity of Sonoma County’s grapes and wines through dynamic marketing and educational programs targeted to wine consumers around the world.

In January 2014, SCW committed to becoming the nation’s first 100% sustainable winegrowing region in 2019. As of September 2019, 99% of the vineyard acreage in Sonoma County has completed certification by a third-party auditor making Sonoma County the most sustainable wine region in the world.  In addition, in 2020, SCW became the exclusive pilot partner for the California Land Stewardship’s Climate Adaptation Certification. This program is a first of its kind for agriculture.  SCW’s sustainability efforts have been recognized with California’s highest environmental honor, the 2016 Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award (GEELA).  Learn more at www.sonomawinegrape.org

About Sonoma County Vintners
Sonoma County Vintners is the leading voice of Sonoma County wine, dedicated to raising awareness of Sonoma County as one of the world’s premier wine regions which was named Wine Region of the Year by Wine Enthusiast in 2019. Sonoma County Vintners represents over 260 wineries throughout the county. The organization actively promotes Sonoma County through educational programming; advocates for its members at local, state and federal levels; and contributes to the local communities through our Sonoma County Vintners Foundation. Sonoma County Wine Auction, its annual fundraiser, has raised over $37 million benefitting non-profit organizations throughout the region. To learn more about Sonoma County Vintners, visit sonomawine.com.

Sonoma County Wine Month Begins April 1

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SANTA ROSA, California – March 30, 2021 – With blossoming flowers, longer days and warmer temperatures – there’s a number of reasons to celebrate the spring season and this year there is one more as Sonoma County Vintners have established the first spring-time Sonoma County Wine Month in the program’s history. Beginning April 1, many of Sonoma County’s wineries will be hosting special experiences and offering in-person and virtual specials, in addition to shipping promotions.

“With the start of the new growing season and Earth Day, April is a terrific time to celebrate what makes Sonoma County unique,” said Michael Haney, executive director of Sonoma County Vintners.” As the world’s most sustainable wine region and one of the most diverse – with more than 60 varietals of wines and 18 distinct American Viticulultural Areas – Sonoma County is like truly nowhere else in the world. We look forward to showcasing the region and the innovative in-person/virtual experiences and exclusive offers our wineries have developed throughout April.”

From in-person events like a dinner series and sunset tastings to virtual experiences and private virtual happy hours, participating wineries are rolling out the red carpet as everyone from the casual wine lover to the connoisseur come together to celebrate this unique wine region.

A sampling of upcoming events and promotions taking place during Sonoma County Wine Month include:

In-person Experiences

Virtual Events

Promotions

Wineries are currently open for outdoor tastings throughout the county. Visitors can expect COVID-19 mitigation protocols such as social distancing and face covering requirements to be in place and are encouraged to contact any winery they plan to visit for reservations and updates on current COVID-19 mitigation procedures before visiting.

To learn more and sign up for various program offerings, visit www.sonomawine.com.

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About Sonoma County Vintners
Sonoma County Vintners is the leading voice of Sonoma County wine, dedicated to raising awareness of Sonoma County as one of the world’s premier wine regions which was named Wine Region of the Year by Wine Enthusiast in 2019. Sonoma County Vintners represents over 260 wineries throughout the county. The organization actively promotes Sonoma County through educational programming; advocates for its members at local, state and federal levels; and contributes to the local communities through our Sonoma County Vintners Foundation. Sonoma County Wine Auction, its annual fundraiser, has raised over $37 million benefitting non-profit organizations throughout the region. To learn more about Sonoma County Vintners, visit sonomawine.com.

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Sonoma County Vintners/Foundation Aids Covid-19 Vaccine Distribution

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SANTA ROSA, California – February 10, 2021 – Sonoma County Vintners Foundation has activated their Emergency Relief Fund donating funds to help support the cost of technical needs for registration as well as critical supplies for COVID-19 vaccine distribution centers across Sonoma County. In partnership with Sonoma County health officials, healthcare providers and associations, Sonoma County Vintners is also providing support in the activation of vaccine distribution centers.

“We are deeply privileged to continue assisting our community in this great time of need and are grateful for the support of our Sonoma County wine community, donors and sponsors,” said Michael Haney, executive director of Sonoma County Vintners/Foundation. “It is truly an honor to provide these essential contributions during these unprecedented times. This type of support is exactly why we formed the Sonoma County Vintners Foundation Emergency Relief Fund.”

The Emergency Relief Fund was created to adapt to the needs of the Sonoma County community as unfortunate and emergency situations arise. The Sonoma County Vintners Foundation Emergency Relief Fund has donated $10,000 in funding to assist in alleviating the vaccine distribution costs. The funds will help to purchase crucial personal protective equipment, supplies, and more. Additionally, 20 iPads were contributed to help streamline the registration process.

In addition to providing financial support, the Sonoma County Vintners is assisting with vaccine distribution site volunteer recruitment and support; and providing vaccine education and promotion.

Please consider making a tax-deductible charitable contribution today by selecting the “Donate to Emergency Relief Fund” button at https://sonomawine.com/foundation. The Sonoma County Vintners Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

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About Sonoma County Vintners
Sonoma County Vintners is the leading voice of Sonoma County wine, dedicated to raising awareness of Sonoma County as one of the world’s premier wine regions which was named Wine Region of the Year by Wine Enthusiast in 2019. Sonoma County Vintners represents over 260 wineries throughout the county. The organization actively promotes Sonoma County through educational programming; advocates for its

members at local, state and federal levels; and contributes to the local communities through our Sonoma County Vintners Foundation. Sonoma County Wine Auction, its annual fundraiser, has raised over $36 million benefitting non-profit organizations throughout the region. To learn more about Sonoma County Vintners, visit sonomawine.com.

About Sonoma County Vintners Foundation
The Sonoma County Vintners Foundation provides support to our local community through philanthropy and charitable giving. Fundraising efforts have a direct impact in the areas of literacy, education, health and human services, the environment and arts and culture. The Sonoma County Vintners Foundation Emergency Relief Fund was established in 2017 to address the immediate needs of our local community impacted by a natural disaster and other emergencies in a timely manner. This Emergency Relief Fund was created to adapt to the needs of the Sonoma County community as unfortunate situations arise. The Sonoma County Vintners Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Learn more at sonomawine.com/foundation.

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Sonoma County Vintners Grape Cluster

SCVF Addresses Digital Divide with Grant to the Sonoma County Office of Education

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SANTA ROSA, Calif. (November 16, 2020) – Today the Sonoma County Vintners Foundation announces a grant of $140,000 to the Sonoma County Office of Education COVID-19 Technology Support Fund. This grant was made possible by a Fund-A-Need initiative during the 2020 Sonoma County Wine Auction. With these funds, the Sonoma County Office of Education will provide individual grants, based on the unique technology needs, to school districts within the county.

“We are incredibly proud to offer our support for the educational needs of children in our community,” says Sonoma County Vintners Foundation Executive Director Michael Haney. “At the early onset of the pandemic, we became aware of the technological disadvantage many of our local students were facing. As always, our Foundation is grateful for the generosity and support from our wine community, sponsors and donors.”

Sonoma County Office of Education plans to distribute all donations directly to school districts and charters within the county. School districts and charters can apply for a variety of needs including but not limited to Chromebooks or tablets, wifi hotspots, prepaid data plans for wifi hotspots, software licenses for devices and subscriptions for web-based platforms.

In addition to this contribution, the Sonoma County Vintners Foundation provides Community Grants in the area of education, health and human services, the environment, and arts and culture. For more information about the Sonoma County Vintners Foundation, visit https://sonomawine.com/sonoma-county-vintners-foundation/.

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About Sonoma County Vintners Foundation
The Sonoma County Vintners Foundation provides support to our local community through philanthropy and charitable giving. Fundraising efforts have a direct impact in the areas of literacy, education, health and human services, the environment and arts and culture. Learn more at sonomawine.com/foundation. Our signature fundraising event, the Sonoma County Wine Auction has raised over $37 million to help fund charitable organizations focused on these areas and has been recognized as one of Wine Spectator’s Top Charity Wine Auctions in the United States. Learn more at SonomaCountyWineAuction.com.

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2020 Sonoma County Wine Auction Raises $1.17 Million for Sonoma County Nonprofits

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SANTA ROSA, California – September 22, 2020 – Today, Sonoma County Vintners Foundation and Honorary Chairs – Clay Mauritson of Mauritson Wines, Jake Bilbro of Limerick Lane Cellars and Mark McWilliams of Arista Winery announce the results for the 2020 Sonoma County Wine Auction with over $1.17 million raised for the community. Over $37 million has been raised since the auction’s inception, making a direct local impact on education, health and human services, the environment, and arts and culture. The 2020 virtual auction program included a Fund-A-Need campaign dedicated to education and addressing the digital divide among school-aged children in the community.

The auction kicked off with a virtual BEST. PARTY. EVER. on Thursday, September 17 where guests learned more about the 2020 Sonoma County Wine Auction Chairs and the mission of the Sonoma County Vintners Foundation. The auction chairs introduced this year’s Vintner Honoree Daryl Groom and Chef Honoree Charlie Palmer during the program where they were acknowledged for their decades of unparalleled expertise in their field and philanthropic commitments to Sonoma County. Event attendees had exclusive access to surprise guests who included former NFL player and Head Coach Mike Tice, Former San Francisco Giants all-star Rich Aurilia and President of Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery Julian Van Winkle. Numerous hilarious moments ensued and camaraderie was a clear theme for this fun, engaging evening.

“I was honored to share an incredible evening with my co-chairs on Thursday. We really enjoyed seeing treasured auction donors from across the United States while honoring our dear friends Daryl Groom and Chef Charlie Palmer,” said Clay Mauritson of Mauritson Wines. “It meant the world to me to host this program where I could share the crucial needs in our community and encourage donors to support the cause.”

On Saturday, September 19, Michael Haney, Executive Director of Sonoma County Vintners Foundation began the Virtual Auction Celebration by introducing the three Chairs followed by the Fund-A-Need and the live auction lots, which were closed in real time during the program. Over $726,000 was pledged for the Fund-A-Need with donations for education needs in Sonoma County, while also addressing new challenges including a special focus to bridge the technology gap.

There were many heartfelt moments including Mauritson’s announcement that his son saved chore money to contribute to the Fund-A-Need campaign. In addition to supporting the Fund-A-Need campaign, Mauritson’s oldest son also partnered with the Bilbro and McWilliams’ sons to create the 2020 Kids Krewe Cuvée wine in a unique fundraising project for 2020 fire relief in Sonoma County.

“My son Cruz is excited to start working on the “Kids Krewe Cuvée” red wine with his friends since birth. It is an honor to have this opportunity to instill the importance of giving with my children and their friends through this unique offering,” said Jake Bilbro of Limerick Lane Cellars.

The most successful auction lot included a collection of Williams Seylem wines and tickets to the 2022 Super Bowl LVI which earned $32,000 for the Sonoma County Vintners Foundation. “Dine with the Greats” auction lot, featuring dinner by Chef Honoree Palmer at his home with wines provided by Vintner Honoree Daryl Groom, raised $30,000. One lucky bidder won a collection of CIRQ and CHEV wines for $12,000 within the first hour of the virtual auction with the “Buy it Now” online bidding feature.

Online auction lots and buy-in lots closed on Sunday, September 20 and included critically acclaimed wines, highly sought after experiences in Sonoma County and more.

“Our world has had many challenges this year but we are incredibly grateful to the generous donors, philanthropic vintners and sponsors who came together virtually to provide support for important nonprofits of Sonoma County,” said Mark McWilliams of Arista Winery. “I, along with my co-chairs, am humbled by the outpouring of generosity to support the community in Sonoma County!”

The 2021 Sonoma County Wine Auction will be held September 16-18, 2021. To learn more about the Sonoma County Wine Auction, visit sonomacountywineauction.com.

To make a donation, contributions may be made payable and mailed to: Sonoma County Vintners Foundation, 400 Aviation Boulevard, Suite 500, Santa Rosa, CA 95403 or donate online at https://sonomacountywineauction.com/.

Photographs from the 2020 Sonoma County Wine Auction, including behind the scenes moments at the Virtual Auction Celebration, are available via our online archive.

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About Sonoma County Wine Auction
The Sonoma County Wine Auction brings the region’s most renowned winemakers and growers together with distinguished collectors and generous bidders for an opportunity to acquire some of Sonoma County’s top wines and bid on incredible travel experiences. Named one of the nation’s top charitable auctions by Wine Spectator, the proceeds raised benefit local Sonoma County charitable organizations. Since its inception, the Sonoma County Wine Auction has raised over $37 million to help fund charitable organizations focusing on education, health and human services, the environment and arts and culture, and has supported more nonprofits than any other fundraising event in Sonoma County. Learn more at sonomacountywineauction.com.

About Sonoma County Vintners Foundation
The Sonoma County Vintners Foundation provides support to our local community through philanthropy and charitable giving. Fundraising efforts have a direct impact in the areas of education, health and human services, the environment and arts and culture. The signature fundraising event, Sonoma County Wine Auction has been recognized as one of Wine Spectator’s Top Charity Wine Auctions in the United States. Learn more at sonomawine.com/foundation.

Sonoma County Vintners Foundation Donates $1 Million to the Caritas Village Housing Campaign

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SANTA ROSA, Calif. (September 14, 2020) – Today the Sonoma County Vintners Foundation announces the contribution of $1 million to the Caritas Village Campaign by Catholic Charities. The funds provided will aid in the development of Sonoma County’s largest affordable housing and supported services project in the history of the county. Supportive housing needs remain a critical issue for Sonoma County and was exacerbated with the 2017 fires.

“We are humbled to be able to help support a solution for those in need within our county. We could not have done this without the contributions of our wine community and generous donors,” says Sonoma County Vintners Foundation Executive Director Michael Haney.

The financial contribution from Sonoma County Vintners Foundation is designated for the construction of the Caritas Center that will serve as a hub for essential housing resources. Caritas Center will be built in downtown Santa Rosa along 7th street, and the 46,000 square feet facility will include a family shelter, a childcare center, housing counseling, a dignity center, a recuperation shelter, and a new health clinic. Over 3,000 people will start their journey to housing at Caritas Center each year, a journey that will be accelerated by participation in Catholic Charities evidence-based housing model.

“Our community of winemakers here in Sonoma County has a generous heart. I’m immensely proud of the Sonoma County Vintners Foundation for supporting this innovative project in such a generous way. Hats off!” says Caritas Village Campaign Cabinet Member Merry Edwards.

There are more than 3,000 people experiencing homelessness in Sonoma County today which is three times the U.S. average. “When we learned about the Caritas Village campaign we were inspired by the

immediate need for this kind of support. We knew that Catholic Charities had proven programs they planned to expand that would support individuals or families in need in an all-encompassing fashion,” says Sonoma County Vintners Foundation Board of Directors President Clay Mauritson. “We look forward to their continued success stories!”

In addition to this contribution, the Sonoma County Vintners Foundation provides community grants in the area of literacy and education, health and human services, the environment, and arts and culture. For more information about the Sonoma County Vintners Foundation click here or view the full list of community grant beneficiaries click here. To learn more about the Caritas Village campaign, please visit: www.caritas-village.org

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About Sonoma County Vintners Foundation
The Sonoma County Vintners Foundation provides support to our local community through philanthropy and charitable giving. Our fundraising efforts have a direct impact in the areas of literacy, education, health and human services, the environment and arts and culture. Our signature fundraising event, Sonoma County Wine Auction has been recognized as one of Wine Spectator’s Top Charity Wine Auctions in the United States. Learn more at SonomaCountyWineAuction.com.

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Incredible Lots Announced for the 2020 Sonoma County Wine Auction

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SANTA ROSA, California – September 10, 2020 – Today, Sonoma County Vintners Foundation and Honorary Chairs – Clay Mauritson of Mauritson Wines, Jake Bilbro of Limerick Lane Cellars and Mark McWilliams of Arista Winery unveiled the complete list of auction lots available at the virtual 2020 Sonoma County Wine Auction. This year’s virtual auction program, September 17 through September 20, supports numerous Sonoma County nonprofits with a Fund-A-Need dedicated to education and addressing the digital divide among school-aged children in the community.

“I am incredibly proud of the auction lot collection we have this year! From rare wines, to unparalleled experiences in Sonoma County, to travel opportunities for the wanderlust, we truly have something for everyone,” said Clay Mauritson of Mauritson Wines. “We are thrilled to encourage people from all walks of life to come together and support our community.”

Auction lots are available in two formats during the virtual program, online and live lots. In total there are 40 lots available for review on SonomaCountyWineAuction.com. These lots include limited-production wines, access to world-class experiences in Sonoma County that are not available to the public, tickets to best of the year sporting event and other special programs and outdoor adventures for thrill-seekers. Auction lot highlights include the following and more:

  • Two couples will indulge at one of the most highly-rated hotels in the world, Farmhouse Inn for a four-night stay. From this luxurious base camp, you will take a wine county adventure every day! Each day will be hosted by one of the Sonoma County Wine Auction Honorary Chairs – Clay Mauritson of Mauritson Wines, Jake Bilbro of Limerick Lane Cellars and Mark McWilliams of Arista Winery. The Honorary Chairs will provide the insider’s scoop on the 2021 vintage and fulfill every wine lovers’ dream with their hands-on approach.
  • Honorary Chef Charlie Palmer has teamed up with Honorary Vintner Daryl Groom to host dinner in Charlie Palmer’s Healdsburg backyard for a party of ten and will include special guest Nancy Oakes.
  • Dan Kosta of AldenAlli, Jake Bilbro of Limerick Lane Cellars and Rich Aurilia of Red Stitch Wines are hosting an epic weekend in Sun Valley for two couples. They will ski the slopes, dine at the local’s favorite spots and enjoy time at the Sun Valley Museum of Art.
  • Experience the world-renowned Russian River Valley during your stay at Merry Edwards Winery’s extraordinary guest house in Forestville. This unique, 3,000-square-foot home features four en suite bedrooms, a fully functional chef’s kitchen, stunning dining area, sauna and hot tub. The house can accommodate up to eight overnight guests (four couples). This “slice of heaven” nestled in the midst of Maefield, Merry Edwards Winery’s estate Sauvignon Blanc vineyard, will be stocked with a fine selection of Merry Edwards wines.
  • Though the acronym G.O.A.T. – Greatest Of All Time – is used more frequently in sports when referring to a select few athletes who excel beyond compare in their respective sport, the “sport” in this case is a world-class 141 bottle collection of acclaimed mountain wines, sourced from notable high elevation vineyards across Sonoma County.
  • Sonoma Rising is a family affair where the sons of the auction chairs will create a “Kids Krewe Cuvée” red wine to support first responders and those in Sonoma County who have been impacted by this year’s wildfires.
  • Buy-in lots offer bidders access to exclusive dinners with notable vintners and esteemed chefs in Sonoma County. Opportunities include a dinner hosted by New Gen Vintners and a plant to plate wine-paired dinner hosted by founders of Bricoleur Vineyards, acclaimed winemaker, Cary Gott and Bricoleur Vineyard’s Executive Chef Shane McAnelly.

“This auction lot collection is definitely a reflection of myself, fellow chairs and our families,” said Jake Bilbro of Limerick Lane Cellars. “We were inspired to curate these lots to give back to our community. During the challenging year we have all faced, it is clear, now more than ever, we need to come together to support the community.”

Over $36 million has been raised since the auction’s inception, making a direct local impact on education, health and human services, the environment, and arts and culture.

This year the Sonoma County Vintners Foundation supported over 80 nonprofit organizations in Sonoma County, including those focused on literacy that offer crucial programs in school districts across the county. However, the needs of these nonprofits have grown exponentially, and in-person programming is currently not an option, which leads to additional constraints.

The 2020 Sonoma County Wine Auction Fund-A-Need will continue to help aid in bridging the gap for education needs in our county, while also addressing new educational challenges it faces, including a special focus to bridge the technology gap. The funds raised will provide underprivileged youth with internet access, computers and other resources needed to support remote learning.

“When my co-chairs and I watched our children adapt to learning at home it was quite the endeavor. Shortly after, we discovered the stark reality of the technology gap in our community. We knew without a doubt, at that moment, our Fund-A-Need program for 2020 needed to support this critical need,” said Mark McWilliams of Arista Winery.

To learn more about the Sonoma County Wine Auction and to register to participate, please visit sonomacountywineauction.com.

To make a donation, contributions may be made payable and mailed to: Sonoma County Vintners Foundation, 400 Aviation Boulevard, Suite 500, Santa Rosa, CA 95403 or donate online at https://sonomacountywineauction.com/.

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About Sonoma County Wine Auction
The Sonoma County Wine Auction brings the region’s most renowned winemakers and growers together with distinguished collectors and generous bidders for an opportunity to acquire some of Sonoma County’s top wines and bid on incredible travel experiences. Named one of the nation’s top charitable auctions by Wine Spectator, the proceeds raised benefit local Sonoma County charitable organizations. Since its inception, the Sonoma County Wine Auction has raised over $36 million to help fund charitable organizations focusing on education, health and human services, the environment and arts and culture, and has supported more nonprofits than any other fundraising event in Sonoma County. Learn more at sonomacountywineauction.com.

About Sonoma County Vintners Foundation
The Sonoma County Vintners Foundation provides support to our local community through philanthropy and charitable giving. Fundraising efforts have a direct impact in the areas of education, health and human services, the environment and arts and culture. The signature fundraising event, Sonoma County Wine Auction has been recognized as one of Wine Spectator’s Top Charity Wine Auctions in the United States. Learn more at sonomawine.com/foundation.