September 30th – RUTHERFORD, CA – Rutherford Dust Society, the non-profit member association for growers, vintners and community members in the Rutherford Appellation, announced today that an outpouring of support at their annual Rutherford Chili Ball event has allowed them to double charitable donations to local non-profits over years past. The fundraiser benefits four local community organizations: the Rutherford Volunteer Fire Department, Rutherford 4-H, St. Helena Cooperative Nursery School, and historic Rutherford Grange.
The annual Rutherford Chili Ball, which was held on Sunday, August 1st at Beckstoffer Farm Center, exceeded expectations on every level. After a forced cancellation due to the pandemic in 2020, there was much anticipation and excitement for this year’s event, which sold out in just under three weeks.
Under clear blue skies, nine hopeful chili teams competed for the glory of having the best chili in Rutherford– including William Harrison Vineyard & Winery, St. Helena Odd Fellows, Sacrashe Vineyard, Elyse Winery, PEJU, Amici Cellars, Tres Sabores, Rutherford Grange and Rutherford Volunteer Fire Department. The competition was judged by chefs of local restaurants La Luna, Farmstead, and CIA Greystone, with a celebrity appearance from San Francisco Giants Hall of Famer, Chili Davis, as the tie-breaker. Ultimately, St. Helena Odd Fellows secured the bragging rights and belt buckle trophies for Best Tasting Chili, with Rutherford Volunteer Fire Department taking the popular vote.
An upscale, wine-and-farm themed silent auction included a decadent magnum lot of Rutherford AVA wines, rare bottles of Cabernet Sauvignon including those from cult producer Scarecrow, a luxurious overnight getaway at the Sea Ranch, a vintage hand-made western saddle and other one-of-a-kind items. Fervent bidding by eventgoers, combined with generous Fund-a-Need giving, took the RDS fundraiser to a whole new level.
“The Rutherford 4-H is so grateful for the donation to our club,” said Lauren Dressler, a parent volunteer who leads the Rutherford 4-H. “The money will be used to purchase project materials such as archery supplies and 4-H STEM project kits for our ever-expanding club. We feel so fortunate to be a part of this generous and supportive community.”
“Now more than ever, the Rutherford Dust Society has a heavy emphasis on building community,” said RDS Board President and fourth generation grape grower Lauren Pesch. “We were amazed by the response to our Chili Ball fundraiser this year, and are thrilled to double our donations to our non-profit partners in Rutherford.”
A video of the live event can be viewed on Rutherford Dust Society’s YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/CRbfZ52FGTQ.
About Rutherford Dust Society
The Rutherford Appellation is located in the historic heart of the Napa Valley. It is known world-wide for its signature “Rutherford dust”, a term used to reflect its terroir, its deep connection to the soil in the vineyards, the wine and the wineries of Rutherford. In collaboration with its grower and vintner members, RDS focuses on helping wine consumers, trade and media discover the celebrated appellation, while promoting highest quality standards for land stewardship, grape growing and winemaking in the region. With a heavy emphasis on community, RDS supports other Rutherford non-profit organizations like the historic Rutherford Grange, the Rutherford Volunteer Fire Department, St. Helena Cooperative Nursery School, and the Rutherford 4-H. For more information about the Rutherford Appellation and the Rutherford Dust Society, please go to www.rutherforddust.org.
