LAKE COUNTY — Five nonprofit organizations, five high schools, five senior centers and two health programs in Lake County will receive the proceeds from this year”s Lake County Wine Auction. Organizers have announced that tickets for the gala benefit on Sept. 18 at Ceago Vinegarden have sold out in advance, the first time in the 11 year history of this charity event.
Since 2000, the sponsoring Lake County Wine Alliance has contributed more than $771,000 to Lake County nonprofit organizations and agencies that foster the arts, benefit health services, and support the community.
Recipient organizations will use their grants for these projects:
The arts: The fine arts programs at each of the five high schools in Lake County will share the funds in this category. Students will be able to participate in music, dance, theater and fine arts activities at Clear Lake High, Kelseyville High, Lower Lake High, Middletown High and Upper Lake High that might not otherwise be available without the donation from the wine auction proceeds.
Health: Funds in this category will be shared equally by the Hilltop Recovery program, the St. Helena Hospital Clearlake Emergency Department and the Lake County Children”s Dental Disease Prevention Program.
Community: The Lake County Channel Cats swim team will receive $1,500, and Operation Tango Mike will receive $3,500. The remaining funds in this category will be shared by the Lake County Community Action Agency for its Safe House, the Friends of the Lake County Library and the five senior centers that provide Meals on Wheels and nutrition programs.
Each of the beneficiary organizations will have a display at the Wine Auction, describing their programs and services. “Additional contributions and support for these worthy groups is encouraged,” said Margaret Walker-Stimmel, president of the Wine Alliance. Donations may be made through the Wine Alliance Web site, www.winealliance.org.
Twenty-six Lake County wineries will pour their award-winning wines and 18 restaurants and caterers will serve tastings of their gourmet specialties. Some of the wineries will present their reserve wines in the Vintage Vault.
The event will start at 4 p.m. with a champagne reception in the Lakeview Courtyard at Ceago where artist John Clarke will sell and sign limited-edition fine art posters reproduced from his original painting, “Beautiful Lake County-Ceago Vinegarden.”
The painting will be featured among the 29 items in the live auction.
Other lots to be offered in the live auction include private tours, tastings and meals at several Lake County wineries, wine packages and individual bottles of wines from many of California”s most notable wineries, a San Francisco Bay cruise and a Valentine”s cruise in the Caribbean, and a Big Sky Country fishing trip with the most experienced fishing guide in the Yellowstone area. The complete list of live auction items can be viewed on the Wine Alliance Web site, www.winealliance.org.
Special guests this year are Congressman Mike Thompson, co-chair of the Congressional Wine Caucus, and Jed Steele, owner and winemaker for Steele Wines.
Steele will be honored with a Congressional resolution for his many contributions to the California wine industry and in particular for his pioneering work in establishing and promoting the fine quality of Lake County wines.
Budge Brown, owner of Tulip Hill Winery in Nice and the Cleavage Creek wine label, is the honorary chair of the wine auction. Rob Roumiguiere, treasurer of the Wine Alliance, is the master of ceremonies.
The formal program will start with the entrance of the Lake County Military Funeral Honors Team and singing of “God Bless America” by Emily Barker, Miss Lake County 2007. Music for dancing will be provided by the LC Diamonds.
Major sponsors are Mendo Lake Credit Union, Beauty, Health & Wellness, Beckstoffer Vineyards, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, St. Helena Hospital Clearlake, and Six Sigma Ranch & Winery.
Additional sponsors are Bella Vista Farming Company, Bob Bartley Pump, Inc., Ceago Vinegarden, Lake County Winegrape Commission, Shannon Ridge Vineyards & Winery, Specialty Care & Surgery Center, Tulip Hill Winery, and Umpqua Bank. More sponsors are American AgCredit, C-Line Express, Kelseyville Pharmacy, Konocti Vista Casino, Sutter Lakeside Hospital and WestAmerica Bank.
Members of the Wine Alliance board of directors are Margaret Walker-Stimmel, president; Marie Beery, vice president, and Rob Roumiguiere, treasurer; all of Kelseyville; Pamela Shine-Duncan, secretary, and directors Judy Luchsinger and Wilda Shock, all of Lakeport; and directors Janet Thompson, St. Helena, and Kaj Ahlmann, Lower Lake.
