Home Industry News Releases Winesong 2015 – Record Ticket Sales Set Pace for Winesong Success

Winesong 2015 – Record Ticket Sales Set Pace for Winesong Success

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Overall Auction Revenues Expected To Exceed $600,000

Winesong 2015FORT BRAGG, CA. (September 14, 2015) –Record ticket sales helped propel Winesong 2015 (www.winesong.org) to another incredible record setting weekend of wine, food and fundraising on the Mendocino Coast. “The best food and wine event in California wrapped up last weekend,” said Narsai David, KCBS wine and food personality and Winesong Master of Ceremonies.

Winesong 2015 kicked off with a sold-out insider’s view of spectacular Anderson Valley Pinot Noir’s at “Winesong and Anderson Valley Winegrowers Association Pinot Noir Celebration” hosted by the Little River Inn. Guests enjoyed Pinot Noir tastings and delicious passed hors d’oeuvres, along with a chance to “talk shop” with the winemakers from the now storied region.

On Saturday, guests from as far as Munich, South Africa, Alaska, Anguilla, Texas, Florida, Alabama, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Kansas, Maryland and many more strolled through the enchanting Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens enjoying food and wine from many winemaking regions. Some of the finest restaurants and food purveyors from Northern California provided a wonderful variety of culinary fare.

Bidders at the Wine and Lifestyle Auction under the tent conducted by DawnMarie Kotsonis and Rich Pio Roda helped raise significant funds, with a projected gross of over $600,000 coming in from the two-day event.  After covering production expenses, the Winesong net return will be used to assist the Mendocino Coast District Hospital purchase needed equipment.  The highlight of the auction was the “Fund-A-Need” lot, which brought in $122,000 in a matter of minutes, with nearly every paddle raised to donate for purchase of Medical Safety Net. This means that the Bedside Medication Verification System has now been fully funded and will be procured through the combined generosity of those who gave at the $10,000 level as well as those who stepped up with $100.  Every dollar made a difference.

“We are forever grateful for the unwavering support of our Winesong family,” said Jeri Erickson, Executive Director Mendocino Coast Hospital Foundation.

The highlights of the auction were:

  • Lot 6: Dinner with former White House Chef under both Presidents Bush and President Clinton was offered at $1,000 per person for 30 people.  It sold out and an additional 10 spots were added after the auction. Six have already been sold.
  • Lot 8: A 7-night stay in Tuscany for four couples went for $27,000
  • Lot 14: A chance for three couples to immerse themselves in the Italian heritage of Mendocino’s Redwood Valley sold for $6,500.  This included a day learning traditional tuna canning techniques from Martha Barra of Barra Vineyards. Other highlights of the lot were lunch with the “nonnas” of Testa Ranch and a tour by author and culinary maven, Heidi Cusick Dickerson
  • Lot 26: A stay at the Mendocino Coast’s newest luxury destination, the Inn at Newport Ranch garnered $8,200
  • Lot 36: A barrel of Pinot Noir with grapes from Ferrington Vineyards with Phillip T. G. Baxter of Baxter Vineyards overseeing production from grape to bottle, plus custom designed labels.  It also included a stay at the famed Brewery Gulch Inn. $18,000
  • Lot 37: Ultimate Lighthouse Getaways were a rare chance for six to stay at the Point Arena Lighthouse and dine at the top of the lighthouse itself in the historic Lantern Room. The winning bidder also has the opportunity to stay at the Point Cabrillo Lighthouse in the assistant light keepers house and enjoy a gourmet dinner on site as well as commentary from local marine biologist, Ron LeValley. $7,800

The Mendocino Coast Hospital Foundation/Winesong will be donating the $3,000 raised from Lot #47, “Lake County Rising”, to disaster relief.  In addition, all surplus water, blankets, and other supplies of any use have been given to Lake County residents who found themselves on our coast and unable to return home.

“It’s incredibly humbling to witness so many converge on our small, coastal community for one reason: to support our rural Hospital. The number of people who help make Winesong successful are too many to count – we are truly fortunate for all the help we receive that benefits our hospital.” Jamie Peters, Event Manager of Winesong.

Winesong is produced by the Mendocino Coast Hospital Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds for the Mendocino Coast District Hospital. Its mission is to help the small rural Hospital provide the best possible medical care to residents as well as the many visitors to the Mendocino Coast. Winesong proceeds have enabled the Hospital to purchase chemotherapy equipment, portable ultrasound machines for the Emergency Room as well as a state-of-the-art Diagnostic Imaging Center, and most recently, Cardiology Equipment.

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