Event Sets Records with Amount of Monies Raised for Fund-A-Need & the Mendocino Coast District Hospital
FORT BRAGG, CA – (September 20, 2016) – A record-setting amount raised in the annual Fund-A-Need auction lot helped make the 32nd annual Winesong event one of the more successful to date. The spectacular weekend of award-winning wine, fabulous food, fine art, music, merriment, and charitable giving was held on the Mendocino Coast from September 9 to 10, and included a Pinot Noir Celebration, a Grand Tasting event and a Live and Silent auction. Winesong is a fundraiser event produced by the Mendocino Coast Hospital Foundation, and all proceeds go towards supporting the local Mendocino Coast District Hospital that serves a 600+ mile area of residents and visitors alike.
Winesong 2016 kicked off on Friday, September 9 with a sold-out insider’s view of spectacular Pinot Noirs at ‘A 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 Mendocino County plus Napa and Sonoma Counties. On Saturday, September 10, attendees to the Grand Tasting strolled the enchanting Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens while enjoying vintages poured by world-class wineries from Mendocino, Napa, Sonoma and beyond, and bites from nearly 50 fine food purveyors. The celebration continued in the Auction Tents with the always-entertaining main attraction, the Live and Silent Auctions, where more than 100 lots were on offer – including spectacular wines from a selection of prestigious wine producers, rare and hard-to-find vintages, special vertical and horizontal collections, original paintings and art from highly acclaimed artists, and domestic and international vacation packages.
Bidders at the Live Auction under the big tent helped raise significant funds, with a projected gross of more than $700,000 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 $210,000 in a matter of minutes, with nearly every paddle raised to donate monies towards a Patient Bedside Monitoring & Alert system. This much-needed system is now very close to being fully funded through the combined generosity of those who gave at the $20,000 level as well as those who stepped up with $100. Every dollar makes a difference.
“Winesong 2016 exceeded our expectations in every way. The live auction tent was alive with energy as generous donors responded to the call to action to help us fund vital equipment at Mendocino Coast District Hospital. Competition for some of the auction lots was spirited but friendly, and it was all to support the highest quality healthcare in our community. We thank everyone who helped make the day a success,” states Michelle Roberts, Executive Director of the Mendocino Coast Hospital Foundation.
Highlights from the live and silent auction include:
- Lot 10: 48” x 60” giclee on canvas of Garvey Grape Harvest – $20,000 (by Winesong Artist of the Year Lowell Herrero)
- Lot 16: A 24-bottle vertical of Joseph Phelps’ Insignia (1990-2013) – $11,000
- Lot 7: A 24-bottle vertical of Chateauneuf du Pape from Chateau de Beaucastel – $7,500
- Lot 36: Kentucky Bourbon Trail was doubled at $7,000 for each trip.
Winesong Ticket Sales, including tickets for the Pinot Celebration, exceeded $125,000.
“We are incredibly fortunate to count so many people as part of our Winesong family! Not only do we have generous donors and bidders for our auctions, but our lodging partners, artists, wineries from near and far, food purveyors, and the hundreds of volunteers – all of them and guests who just want to enjoy a lovely wine & food event in our beautiful coastal gardens – they all help to support our cause and make a difference in our community. It’s unbelievable and truly a gift,” says Jamie Peters, Event Director for Winesong.
About Winesong & the Mendocino Coast Hospital Foundation
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, Cardiology Equipment, a Bedside Medicine Verification System and most recently, a Patient Bedside Monitoring & Alert system.
For further information, please visit http://winesong.org or call (707) 961-4688.
