Sonoma Wine Event Continues Tradition of Generosity, Benefitting Local Non-Profits
(Sonoma, CALIF.) — Hundreds of thousands of dollars in proceeds from the 2011 Sonoma Wine Country Weekend, jointly produced by the Sonoma County Vintners and the Sonoma Valley Vintners and Growers Alliance, were distributed today to twenty-six Sonoma County beneficiaries at a presentation at St. Francis Winery & Vineyards by the Sonoma County Vintners Foundation and the Sonoma Valley Vintners and Growers Foundation.
“Sonoma Wine Country Weekend, which sold out last year, has become a wonderful example of the generosity of our Sonoma vintners, grape growers and event attendees,” said Maureen Cottingham, Sonoma Valley Vintners and Growers Alliance Executive Director.
“We are proud to support locally created and executed charitable groups, so that the benefits of both giving and receiving help strengthen our communities; and with our 25% increase in funds over last year we’re thrilled to improve our contribution in the face of the monumental need that is out there,” said Dan Goldfield, Sonoma County Vintners Foundation President.
Sonoma Valley Vintners and Growers Foundation President Eva Bertran said, “Our committed group of winery and grower members works very hard to help fund organizations with significant needs. This year, twenty-six non-profits that provide essential services such as education, youth services, medical care, food, mentoring and counseling have received funds as a result of Sonoma Wine Country Weekend.”
Two of the beneficiaries, the Redwood Empire Food Bank and the Sonoma Valley Hospital Foundation, each received a grant of $73,500, for a total of $147,000 raised from the “Fund-A-Need” lot at the 2011 Sonoma Valley Harvest Wine Auction, one of Sonoma Wine Country Weekend’s flagship events.
“We are very proud of the Sonoma Wine Country Weekend partnership of Sonoma Valley Vintners and Growers Alliance with Sonoma County Vintners,” said Honore Comfort, Executive Director of Sonoma County Vintners, “Our collaborative effort has made us even more successful in both promoting Sonoma County wines and supporting our county-wide community.”
The 2011 charity beneficiaries include: 10,000 Degrees, Aushadi Health Foundation, Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Sonoma County, Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma Valley, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Santa Rosa, Ceres Community Project, Friends in Sonoma Helping, Hanna Boys Center, La Luz Center, Montgomery High School Education Foundation, Redwood Empire Food Bank, Santa Rosa High School – Panther Spirit Booster Club, Sonoma Community Center, Sonoma Overnight Support, Sonoma Paradiso Foundation, Sonoma Valley High School Ag Department, Sonoma Valley Hospital Foundation, Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance, Sonoma Valley Teen Services, Soroptomist International of Cloverdale, SVVGA Scholarship Fund, The Children’s Village of Sonoma County, The Living Room Center Inc., The School Garden Network, The Sonoma Valley Education Foundation, Verity and Willmar Family Grief & Healing Center.
Over several years, the Sonoma Valley Vintners and Growers Foundation and Sonoma County Vintners Foundation have raised a cumulative total of more than $11 million that has been donated directly to Sonoma County’s non-profit organizations. The 2012 Sonoma Wine Country Weekend is set for Labor Day Weekend, August 31 – September 2, 2012.
About 2012 Sonoma Wine Country Weekend Sponsors and Beneficiaries
A partnership between Sonoma Valley Vintners & Growers Foundation and Sonoma County Vintners, Sonoma Wine Country Weekend is California’s premier wine, food and social event, taking place on Labor Day weekend each year. The events comprising Sonoma Wine Country Weekend have raised over $11 million of support to local charities that benefit students, children, farm workers and people in need. The 2012 Sonoma Wine Country Weekend is presented by Visa Signature®. In addition to Visa Signature, Sonoma Wine Country Weekend sponsors include: TricorBraun WinePak, MacMurray Ranch®, Wine Spectator, San Francisco Magazine, Chateau St. Jean and Francis Ford Coppola Winery. For a complete list of beneficiaries and sponsors, please visit www.SonomaWineCountryWeekend.com.
About Sonoma Valley Vintners & Growers Alliance and Foundation and Sonoma County Vintners
The Sonoma Valley Vintners & Growers Alliance (SVVGA) is a non-profit trade organization serving over 500 members who share a mission to promote awareness of Sonoma Valley’s grapes, wine, and history as the birthplace of the California wine industry. The Sonoma Valley Vintners and Growers Foundation (SVVGF) is a non-profit 501c.3 organization that has raised over $8,000,000 for local Sonoma Valley charities. For more information on the SVVGA and SVVGF, please visit www.SonomaValleyWine.com.
Sonoma County Vintners (SCV) is the leading voice of Sonoma County wine, dedicated to raising awareness of Sonoma County as one of the world’s premier wine regions, noted for its heritage of artisan winemaking, distinct growing regions, and extraordinary quality. Founded in 1944, SCV represents more than 175 wineries of all sizes throughout the county. Learn more about SCV at www.SonomaWine.com.
