#LakeCountyRising presents
Valley Fire Relief Charity Wine Auction
Sunday, March 20, 2016
2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The Vintner’s Hall of Fame at the Culinary Institute of America (CIA)
2555 Main Street, St. Helena, California 94574
Lake County, Calif. February 14, 2016 –In an effort to help rebuild Lake County after the devastating Valley Fire, the wine industry community has banded together in support of #LakeCountyRising. A charity wine auction will be held on March 20, 2016, in St. Helena at the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone to support the long-term rebuilding efforts in southern Lake County. The event is presented by #Lake County Rising, a collaborative fundraising effort of the Lake Country Winegrape Commission, Lake County Winery Association and Lake County Wine Alliance.
The Valley Fire tore through northern California last September, scorching more than 115 square miles, destroying more than 1,300 homes and taking the lives of four Lake County residents, making it the third most destructive wildfire in California’s history. The fire damaged numerous businesses, decimated vast expanses of forest land, and left thousands of residents suddenly homeless.
Lake County grape growers and winery owners, along with North Coast industry partners, quickly mobilized to launch the #LakeCountyRising Valley Fire Relief Fund to help members of the Lake County community cope, adjust and rebuild.
Since launching this campaign, the fund has received donations from across the state and beyond, raising more than $800,000 to date. While these contributions already have made a profound impact in the lives of Lake County residents, the need is still great.
Community members and wine industry guests can make a difference as they raise their paddles to bid during a live auction with the nation’s leading wine auctioneer, Fritz Hatton. Napa Valley Vintners, Lake County Winery Association and other wine region associations around the state are putting together memorable auction lots in support of this important event. In addition to live auction items, attendees will be able to bid on silent auction wine lots and experiences from wine regions across California.
Already lined up is a live auction personal barrel lot valued at $58,000. Beckstoffer Vineyards will provide a half ton of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from the 2016 harvest of the Georges III Heritage Vineyard in Rutherford to the expert winemaking team at Sinegal Estate who will custom crush, craft, barrel, age, bottle, and label the finished wine specifically for the successful bidder.
Another live auction lot includes four magnums of wine from several of Beckstoffer Vineyards’ Heritage Vineyards and the opportunity for two couples to join Andy and Betty Beckstoffer at PRESS Napa Valley in St. Helena for a curated dinner complemented by several To Kalon wines. Each couple also will receive a signed copy of sommelier Kelli White’s new book, “Napa Valley Then & Now.”
Attendees will enjoy light hors d’oeuvres prepared by students at the Culinary Institute of America and have an opportunity to taste Lake County wines in a walk-around tasting. Seating is limited and advance registration is required. Tickets are $150 and may be purchased online at www.lakecountyrising.org/charity-auction.
Those who would like to bid but aren’t able to attend can check the www.lakecountyrising.org/charity-auction web site after March 1 for lot descriptions and advance bidding details.
Those who aren’t able to attend but want to help can click the “Get Tickets” button, and then choose “Donation” instead of the “Live Auction” ticket to make a donation in any amount. Donations are tax-deductible.
About #LakeCountyRising and the Valley Fire Relief Charity Wine Auction
The Valley Fire Relief Charity Wine Auction is presented by #LakeCountyRising, a collaborative fundraising effort of the Lake County Winegrape Commission, Lake County Winery Association and Lake County Wine Alliance to support long-term rebuilding in response to the devastating Valley Fire.
#LakeCountyRising would like to extend a special thanks to the communities in Napa, Sonoma and beyond for their generous support; to Thomas Bensel and the staff and students at the Culinary Institute of America; to Paul Wagner and the team at Balzac Communications; to Fritz Hatton; and to Linda Reiff of the Napa Valley Vintners Association for her guidance from the start.
For information, visit http://lakecountyrising.org/charity-auction
