KELSEYVILLE >> The Saw Shop Gallery Bistro in Kelseyville has become the first local business to sign on as a sponsor for the 2016 Lake County Wine Auction, with a $2,000 purchase at the Cab Franc level. Every year, the auction offers three sponsorship opportunities at $5,000, $3,000 and $2,000.
Saw Shop owner and Wine auction board member Marie Beery said, “The sponsorship money pays for all the costs of the auction so that so that all the proceeds from ticket sales and the auction can go to the beneficiaries.”
This year is expected to be very challenging for wine auction.
“There are lots of groups that are finding it hard to raise money after the big influx of giving after the Valley Fire, so it’s important to start early; hopefully we will grow big,” said Beery.
Last year, the Lake County Wine Alliance was forced to cancel it’s annual auction because of the Valley Fire but even so, they were still able to donate $88,700 to a broad group of local charities and organizations. This was made possible, in large part, because of sponsors and ticket-holders who left their money with the Wine Alliance despite cancellation of the auction.
In 2016, sponsors contributed $51,000 towards the total disbursement. Sponsors include, CalPine, Sutter Lakeside Hospital, Beckstoffer Vineyards, Six
Sigma Winery, St. Helena Hospital, Sysco Foods, John Clarke, Mendo-Lake Credit Union, Umpqua Bank, Cache Creek Vineyard & Winery, Boatique Vineyard & Winery, Kelseyville Pharmacy, Brassfield Estate Winery, Shannon Ridge Vineyard & Winery, C-Line Trucking, Savings Bank of Mendocino and P.G. & E.
The balance the 2016 distribution was made up with a generous grant from the Lake County Rising Fire Relief Fund, in support of beneficiaries who were on the front lines of fire relief.
This year’s Lake County Wine Auction will take place on Saturday September 17 at Cache Creek Vineyard and Winery on New Long Valley Rd. in Clearlake Oaks with owners Don and Margie VanPelt serving as honorary chairs. It promises to be a fun-filled event under the stars in support of some of Lake County’s most worthwhile organizations.
It will also be a celebration of the efforts Lake County is making to recover from last year’s devastating fires.
The Lake County Wine Auction is now accepting applications from prospective beneficiaries for the proceeds from this year’s auction. Copies of the application may be obtained at the group’s website www.winealliance.org and need to submitted by May 1.
