Proceeds from the fundraising walk benefit One Mind and Santa Barbara’s Mental Wellness Center
(August 1, 2022, Buellton, Calif.)—Debra Eagle, General Manager of Alma Rosa Winery, a leading Pinot Noir and Chardonnay producer from Santa Barbara County’s Sta. Rita Hills, is thrilled to announce that the winery’s third annual Peace of Mind: 10,000 Steps in the Right Direction fundraising walk raised more than $176,000 to support mental health community services and research and treatment for mental health issues. Funds raised will be dispersed between the two beneficiaries, One Mind and Santa Barbara County’s Mental Wellness Center.
More than 180 participants gathered at the base of Alma Rosa’s 628-acre estate in the Sta. Rita Hills on Saturday, July 23 to participate in the 10,000-step, or approximately 4.5-mile walk, through the hillside vineyards. The event began with powerful speeches about the importance of mental health awareness and support from Alma Rosa’s General Manager Debra Eagle, One Mind’s President Brandon Staglin and the Mental Wellness Center’s CEO Annmarie Cameron.
“We are so grateful to have been surrounded by the greater community to support the critical initiatives of these two organizations, all while breathing in the fresh air and taking in the unparalleled views of our gorgeous estate vineyards,” says Eagle. “Raising awareness for mental health is a core value at Alma Rosa, and we look forward to continuing our commitment next year.”
Participants were greeted at the summit of the walk with a glass of the 2021 Alma Rosa Grenache Rosé from the Two Wolves Vineyard, while enjoying the sweeping views of the region. The event culminated with a reception at the Alma Rosa Ranch House, featuring winemaker Samra Morris’ newest releases paired with delicious cheese and charcuterie platters from Solvang’s Cailloux Cheese Shop, courtesy of Pismo Beach’s Coastal Community Builders. Richard Sanford, the original founder of the estate, mingled with guests. The reception included complimentary snacks and beverages from Peace of Mind sponsors, including Liquid I.V.’s lemon-lime hydration multiplier, IQBAR’s almond butter chip, peanut butter chip and chocolate sea salt bars, UNiTE Food’s PB & Jelly and Churro bars, Genius Juice’s original coconut smoothie, SunButter’s individual pouches of original and chocolate sunflower seed butter and water from Open Water’s reusable aluminum bottles.
Alma Rosa’s owners Bob and Barb Zorich created the Peace of Mind fundraising walk to support community services for mental health, as well as research on the causes, treatment and potential cures for anxiety and depression. In addition to the annual event, Bob serves as Chairman of the Hope and Healing Center & Institute in Houston and supports the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation in New York City. This year, Bob and Barb Zorich matched donations dollar-for-dollar up to $35,000 for each charity, for a total of $70,000. Over the last three years, the winery has raised over $500,000 for mental health organizations.
“Year after year, we continue to be in awe of the community’s support for our annual Peace of Mind fundraising event. We are so thankful to be able to give back to these two organizations and help fund the critical work that they carry out each day,” says Bob Zorich. “The funds raised from this year’s event will make a significant difference in the research and treatment of mental health issues.”
About Alma Rosa Winery
Alma Rosa Winery is dedicated to making Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines that express the terroir of its unique appellation, the Sta. Rita Hills. Alma Rosa’s wines are layered, vibrant and balanced, reflecting the cool climate impact of the Pacific Ocean breezes that are funneled through the unique east-west transverse mountain range of the region. The winery was founded in 2005 by Richard Sanford, who was the first to plant Pinot Noir in the Sta. Rita Hills in 1971. Today the winery is owned by Bob and Barb Zorich, who purchased the winery in 2014. Samra Morris is winemaker.
For more information about Alma Rosa Winery, please visit almarosawinery.com.
About Mental Wellness Center
Celebrating 75 years of service to Santa Barbara, the Mental Wellness Center has been a community leader in building hope for individuals and families, providing support in recovery and raising awareness of mental health. This important organization provides mental health education to local students, a residential services program which safely provides a home to more than 100 community members across seven residential sites, and serves individuals and families impacted by mental illness through support groups, employment services, and social connection programs like the Fellowship Club, an on-site social day club and safe space with resources for those working on their mental health and wellness.
About One Mind
Inspired by the founders’ lived experience, One Mind is the leading brain health nonprofit committed to healing the lives of people impacted by brain illness and injury through global, collaborative action. One Mind accelerates brain health research and advocacy to enable all individuals with mental health conditions to build healthy, productive lives. Working from science to services to society to drive global, collaborative action, One Mind accelerates research to generate breakthroughs that translate into scalable diagnostic methods and cures; amplifies the voices of those with lived experience, guiding programs to meet the community’s needs; and educates society to foster the global acceptance and empowerment of neurodiversity.
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