CLEARLAKE OAKS >> The annual Lake County Wine Auction at Cache Creek Vineyard and Winery in Clearlake Oaks brought in more than $67,000 for local organizations, and that figure is expected to grow.
“It was a beautiful night under the moon,” said Wine Alliance director Marie Beery, “and people were very generous under it’s influence.”
The bidding fas fast and furious as auctioneer Shaun Hornby racked up some impressive totals during the live auction part of the program. John Clarke’s 2016 painting, which featured a quartet of musicians playing in a vineyard, earned a top bid of $5,000. Eleven other items went for $2,000 or more making for some impressive numbers. A preliminary tabulation indicates that the evening’s activities brought in more than $67,000, which includes both the live and silent auctions. “Thank you to all of our ticket holders and bidders,” said Wine Alliance director Sharron Zollar.
Over the next few weeks, the auction figures will be combined with numbers from ticket sales, sponsorships and expenses, to provide a final accounting.
Last year, despite the cancellation of the auction because of the Valley Fire, the Lake County Wine Alliance raised enough money to $87,800 to local charities and community organizations. Based on preliminary figures,the Wine Auction board expects to meet or beat last year’s figures.
Executive Chef Gordon Upfold prepared a three-course meal, complemented by a pair of Cuvee wines blended by Jed Steele of Steele Wines and Mark Burch of Chacewater.
More than 450 volunteers, sponsors and participants made the evening possible.
Announcing this year’s beneficiaries, Wine Alliance President Kaj Ahlmann said: “To build a strong community, we need to help the next generation respect Lake County’s agricultural tradition and improve their educational skills. With our grants, the Wine Alliance is working towards those goals.”
This year’s beneficiaries are: The five comprehensive high schools of Lake County for their arts programs, People Services, Any Positive Change, The Lake County Hunger Task Force, Catholic Charities, The Lake County Symphony Association, The Lake County Arts Council, Friends of the Lake County Museum, The Lake Community Pride Foundation, The Children’s Museum of Arts and Sciences, The Lake County Literacy Coalition, The Lake County’s Sheriff’s Activity League, The Woodland Community College (Lake Campus) Culinary Club, The Clearlake Gleaners, Operation Tango Mike, Sponsoring Survivorship and Meals on Wheels at the 5 Lake County Senior Centers.
