Lake County—The annual Lake County Wine Auction will be presented on Saturday, September 17, 2016 at Cache Creek Vineyard in Clearlake Oaks, CA. a stunning facility that is a perfect venue for Lake County’s premiere fundraising event. Since it’s inception in 2000 The Lake County Wine Auction has raised $1,266,502 to benefit local charitable groups and organizations.
In addition to our regular fundraising efforts, food and wine tasting and entertainment, this will also be a chance for the community to celebrate Lake County’s continuing recovery from last summer’s tragic fires. Because of the Valley Fire, the 2015 auction was not held but even so because of the generosity of our sponsors and others, the Lake County Wine Alliance managed to distribute $88,700.
This year’s auction creates special challenges since many charitable organizations in the county continue to struggle in the wake of the fires. “Some of these groups have found fundraising extremely difficult,” said Wine Alliance Board Member Bill Groody. “So, we need to step up and help them.”
To date,10 vineyards, wineries, businesses and others have signed on as sponsors. They are Sutter Lakeside Hospital, Calpine, Beckstoffer Vineyards, Artist John R.Clark, Cache Creek Vineyard and Winery, TricorBraun WinePak, The Saw Shop Bistro, Shannon Ridge Vineyards and Winery, Congressman Mike Thompson, Brassfield Vineyards & Winery and Kelseyville Pharmacy. Sponsorship information is available from Marie Beery at (707) 278-0129.
Don and Margie Van Pelt, the owners of Cache Creek Vineyards, will be the honorary co-chairs of this year’s event. “I am thrilled that we have been chosen to participate. It’s rewarding to help build a facility and have the community use it for a great cause,” Don said.
Located at the intersection of Highway 20 and New Long Valley Road in the eastern foothills, Cache Creek Vineyard sits on a 500-acre natural preserve that serves as home to a majestic heard of tule elk. It’s the perfect place for an unforgettable evening under the stars.
This year’s wine auction will begin at 5pm and end at 11pm. Tickets are $150 per person and may be reserved at www.winealliance.org, or by calling 866-279-WINE.
The charter of the Lake County Wine Alliance directs it’s efforts to foster the arts, benefit health services and support the community while promoting Lake County as a premier grape growing and fine wine region.
Five high schools, four youth oriented organizations and 12 other community groups will benefit from the proceeds of this year’s auction.
Announcing this year’s beneficiaries, Wine Alliance President Kaj Ahlmann said: “To build a strong community, we need to help the next generation respect Lake Countyʼs agricultural tradition and improve their educational skills. With our grants, the Wine Alliance is working towards those goals.”
This year’s beneficiaries are: The five comprehensive high schools of Lake County for their arts programs, People Services, Any Positive Change, The Lake County Hunger Task Force, Catholic Charities, The Lake County Symphony Association, The Lake County Arts Council, Friends of the Lake County Museum, The Lake Community Pride Foundation, The Children’s Museum of Arts and Sciences, The Lake County Literacy Coalition, The Lake County’sSheriff’s Activity League, The Woodland Community College (Lake Campus) Culinary Club, The Clearlake Gleaners, Operation Tango Mike, Sponsoring Survivorship and Meals on Wheels at the 5 Lake County Senior Centers.
Members of the, all volunteer, Wine Alliance Board of Directors are Kaj Ahlmann, president; Dr. Judy Luchsinger, vice president; Sharron Zoller, secretary; Rob Roumiguiere, treasurer, and Marie Beery and Bill Groody directors.