Sonoma County Vintners Foundation (SCVF) is pleased to announce that its annual Sonoma County Wine Auction (SCWA) has raised over $1.8 million, which will fund SCVF Community Grants for nonprofit organizations serving Sonoma County. Presented by Vintec, SCWA was held at the beautiful Chalk Hill Estate Vineyards & Winery on September 17, 2022. Since the auction’s inception more than $40 million has been raised, making a positive and direct local impact on education & literacy, health & human services, the environment, and arts & culture.
The 2022 SCWA events kicked off Thursday evening, September 15, with a series of intimate dining experiences hosted by Alexander Valley Vineyards, Bricoleur Vineyards, Ferrari-Carano Vineyards & Winery, Lando Wines and The Matheson. Bob Cabral Wines, Ernest Vineyards and Mauritson Wines were all featured at the multi-winery dinner at The Matheson, hosted by SCWA Chef Honoree Dustin Valette. SCWA Vintner Honoree Jean-Charles Boisset and the historic Buena Vista Winery hosted the Best. Party. Ever. on Friday, September 16, with a fabulous evening of exceptional wine, food and celebration set to a Roaring ‘20s theme. SCWA Honorary Chairs the Foley Family welcomed more than 225 bidders from across the country to the spectacular Chalk Hill Estate Vineyards & Winery on September 17, where guests raised their paddles to make a difference in Sonoma County.
“We want to thank the Foley Family for being such a generous supporter not only of this year’s auction, but also of so many previous auctions,” said Michael Haney, Executive Director of Sonoma County Vintners Foundation. “The support we receive from our entire winemaking and hospitality community for SCVF has been extraordinary. We could not raise the funds needed to sustainably give to local nonprofits without everyone who steps up to participate in our auction events every year. Thank you all!”
The highest selling lot of the day was Lot #15, Private Kauai Estate Getaway, featuring a stay at the Foley Family’s 15-acre luxury estate, Hale ‘Ae Kai™, complete with air travel, private chef, and dinners paired with wines from the Foley Family Wines portfolio. The lot was generously tripled for two more enthusiastic bidders, bringing the final sale price to $182,000 combined.
Two bidders couldn’t resist the chance to travel with Jean-Charles Boisset in Lot #7’s Tour de France. This once-in-a-lifetime trip from Paris to Burgundy with Michelin-starred restaurants, insider Burgundy experiences, and VIP tastings at iconic vineyards raised $110,000 from the doubled winning bids. Lot #19, Retreat and Dine In Style, From Los Cabos to Healdsburg, featured a stay at Montage Los Cabos with an intimate wine paired dinner from Chef Dustin Valette at the private estate Maravilla and dinner at The Matheson or Valette Healdsburg. It sold to one lucky bidder for $26,000.
The annual critical fundraising lot, the Fund-A-Need Paddle Raise, is a powerful collective giving opportunity raising money for children’s education and literacy programs while also addressing new educational challenges children in Sonoma County are facing. The bidding began after a video message from the 2022 Fund-A-Need program sponsor, TricorBraun WinePak, and culminated in raising over $595,000 at the live auction, with additional donations continuing post-event. The Foley Family of Foley Family Wines, Gina Gallo of E. & J. Gallo Winery, and Rick Tigner of Jackson Family Wines kicked off the Fund-A-Need Paddle Raise with $100,000 opening bids. Mary Dewane and Joe Anderson of Benovia Winery, Carmen Castaldi of Rodney Strong Vineyards and The Hamel Family continued the paddle raise, contributing $50,000 each. Elizabeth and Mark Hanson of Bricoleur Vineyards and the Wall Family Foundation also committed $25,000 to Fund-A-Need, followed by generous donations at levels ranging from $10,000 to $500 from live auction guests.
Side by Side’s YouThrive program, a SCVF Community Grant recipient, offers early intervention services that equip young people with the strategies that build resilience and coping skills to stay on a positive path through school and thrive in adulthood. Rich Walcoff, who has been involved with Side by Side for more than 20 years, took the stage at SCWA to tell bidders why their support is so important. “2,500 kids every year get help from Side by Side. These are at-risk kids, kids who fell through the cracks… kids who don’t know where their next meal might come from. Maybe their parents are battling addiction or problems that we can’t even fathom. I really appreciate you all stepping up and doing what you can to help this great cause. The demand is up. Referrals are up 15% during the pandemic but corporate donations are down. So, obviously, we need your support now more than ever.”
If you would like to make a donation directly to Sonoma County Vintners Foundation, please visit the giving page at donorbox.org/sonoma-county-vintners-foundation
To learn more about the Sonoma County Wine Auction and to see the recipients of the latest $1 million community grants distribution, please visit sonomacountywineauction.com.
