Sonoma County Vintners Foundation has a million thanks for participants in their recent wine auction, which raised more than $1.17 million for charitable contributions that include funds for emergency relief.
The philanthropic arm of the trade industry organization’s signature event, forced to shift its annual wine auction online, has raised more than $37 million since it began the event that provides funds to local education, the environment, arts and culture, and health and human services. In 2019, the auction event raised $6.1 million.
“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 in a press release. “I, along with my co-chairs, am humbled by the outpouring of generosity to support the community in Sonoma County.”
McWilliams was honorary co-chair along with Clay Mauritson of Mauritson Wines and Jake Bilbro of Limerick Lane Cellars.
The Fund-A-Need lot, which helps support Sonoma County’s education needs including a special focus on bridging the technology gap, received pledges of more than $726,000.
Auction bidding closed on Sunday, Sept. 20 with the top auction lot taking in $32,000 for a collection of Williams Selyem wines and tickets to the 2022 Super Bowl LVI. The next highest-bid auction lot was “Dine with the Greats” nabbing $30,000. It includes a dinner by Chef Honoree Charlie Palmer at his home with wines by provided by Vintner Honoree Daryl Groom. Palmer and Groom were honored for their philanthropic efforts in Sonoma County and excellence in their respective fields.
An early bidder paid $12,000 for a collection of extremely limited production CIRQ and CHEV wines.
Surprise guests were part of the fun with attendees such as Rich Aurilia, a former San Francisco Giants all-star, who is also involved in the wine business with Red Stitch Winery.
Mauritson shared that his son donated money he earned by doing chores to the Fund-A-Need campaign, and another son partnered with Bilbro and McWilliams’ sons to create a wine that will raise money for fire relief.
“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,” Bilbro said in a statement.
The 2021 Sonoma County Wine Auction will be held Sept, 16-18, 2021. To learn more about the Sonoma County Wine Auction, visit sonomacountywineauction.com.
Contact Anne at anne.ernst@sonomanews.com.
UPDATED: Please read and follow our commenting policy: