Livermore Valley, California (October 15, 2021) — The 27th annual Livermore Valley Wine Auction brought together approximately 275 guests on September 25, 2021 for a festive and successful afternoon of wine tasting and fundraising. In the spirit of safety, the event was held entirely outdoors this year in a new garden party format that was extremely well received by the attendees. The ambiance was warm and welcoming, with fall sun, cool breezes and jazz music by Matt Finders and Friends greeting the guests. Hats were aplenty at the event, providing both shade and garden party glamour. The event brought in an impressive $275,000.
Seventeen Livermore Valley winemakers were on hand to pour their best wines while guests perused displays that showcased the exciting live auction lot line-up. The live auction delivered on excitement, raising $81,000 with 14 lots plus two large format bottles of Champagne generously donated by Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits. One of the top live auction lots of the afternoon was a Winemaker Jam Session and BBQ at the home of Larry and Margie Dino of Cuda Ridge Wines with fellow winemakers Dane Stark of Page Mill Winery, Mark Clarin of McGrail Vineyards, and Karl Wente of Wente Vineyards. Another top lot was called “Party Like It’s 1949!” and includes a private barn dance at a ranch in the Sierra Foothills, complete with catered lunch, live bluegrass music, a dance caller, and luxurious Black Tie limousine transportation for the 40 lucky guests. Auction supporters also bid on 43 exclusive silent auction lots in a complementary virtual auction.
The fund-a-need benefiting Livermore Shakespeare’s new program for local 7th grade students was particularly well-received this year, raising over $80,000. Actors surprised the guests with performances of two lively songs, and Livermore Shakespeare director Katie Marcel provided a heartfelt overview of the new program, which seeks to help 7th graders express themselves at school. The other beneficiaries of this year’s event are CALICO, achieving justice for abused children; Exceptional Needs Network, providing summer camps for children with special needs; QUEST, providing science education for local children; and Reins in Motion, offering equestrian therapy for children with special needs.
The Livermore Valley Wine Auction was generously presented by First Tech Federal Credit Union with Jeff and Doris Hank. Additional top sponsors included Black Tie Transportation, Diablo Magazine, Gallo Glass, Lam Research, Safeway, and World Cooperage.
The mission of the Livermore Valley Winegrowers Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, is to raise funds to improve the quality of life for under-served local children. For more information, please visit www.lvwf.org or contact Brandi Addington, Auction Director, at (925) 380-3380.
