Windward Vineyard toasts Paso Robles Youth Arts Center
Paso Robles, CA: Marc Goldberg and Maggie D’Ambrosia, owners of Windward Vineyard, know how to produce winning wines and events. Not only did their 18th Annual Paso Pinot & Paella Festival on June 4 pair top Paso Pinot producers’ wine with local chefs’ paella creations, it also raised $40,000 to support Paso Robles Youth Arts Center (Youth Arts). A win-win for all.
Even more remarkable, Goldberg and D’Ambrosia have raised more than $500,000 for Youth Arts since an early iteration of the festival 20 years ago at Windward Vineyard.
Naturally, it takes a multi-talented team to make it all happen. Each year generous Paso Pinot producing wineries donate their wine, chefs donate their time and cost of ingredients, and the community participates through ticket sales, making the festival one of the most highly anticipated of the season.
This year’s festivities included 27 Paso Pinot producers and 15 paella chefs providing unique pairings for 500 guests. The annual paella contest – always a stiff competition given the extraordinary talent and creativity of each chef – resulted in the first place Official Judges’ Award going to Chef Trish Jacob at Paso Catering. First place for the People’s Choice Award went to Chef Jeffry Wiesinger, of Jeffry’s Wine Country BBQ.
“Marc and Maggie have, yet again, generously donated all festival proceeds to Youth Arts,” says Ann Berry-Gallegos, executive director at Youth Arts. “We are so grateful to them and all the Pinot wineries, chefs and restaurants for supporting arts education for our local youth.”
Youth Arts’ free after-school arts program includes creative enrichment, a unique department encompassing classes outside standard arts offerings. In a safe, nurturing, environment, students can explore culinary arts (paella, perhaps?), video production, digital music creation, theatrical lighting, and sewing. The department aims to spark the imaginations and build the self-confidence of local youth, especially those who otherwise may not have access to creative enrichment opportunities.
About Paso Robles Youth Arts Center
Celebrating its 25th anniversary, Paso Robles Youth Arts Center (Youth Arts) has provided children ages 5 to 18 with free visual and performing arts classes since 1998. The nonprofit was founded by artist and philanthropist Donna Berg to provide all children in Paso Robles and surrounding areas a safe place to learn about and participate in the arts, regardless of their socioeconomic status.
By encouraging the arts and self-expression, Youth Arts provides a creative outlet and positive way for young people to deal with the world’s pressures. The organization has helped more than 10,000 students find their voices, build confidence, strive for higher education, and avoid gangs or other negative influences. Programs are open at no charge to all students who wish to enroll in offerings such as art, dance, music, theatre, and creative enrichment featuring video production, digital music creation, and culinary arts.
Youth Arts is funded through private support from generous donors wishing to share the possibilities that arts education contributes to the wellbeing of community youth. Information is available at pryoutharts.org.
