Under a tent that transported auction guests from Sonoma to Marrakesh, the 2016 Sonoma Harvest Wine Auction at Chateau St. Jean Winery exceeded the earnings of prior years with proceeds that totaled more than $4,600,000 at the annual fundraising finale of Sonoma Wine Country Weekend.
Vintners and winegrowers from across Sonoma County hosted 650 guests who raised their paddles high to support the event that will benefit a number of local charities, and continue the Sonoma Harvest Wine Auction focus upon the Fund the Future initiative, a multi-year commitment to improve childhood reading levels across Sonoma County.
Encouraged by Auctioneer Scott Robertson, bidders raised paddles throughout the afternoon which began with ambient belly dancers and a live camel, to win lots that ranged from extremely-limited wines, to exclusive trips and experiences.
The top selling lot of the day, the Two Nights of Hollywood Glamour with a trip to the VIP Golden Globes Party and a Private Film Screening was contributed by Jean-Charles Boisset and Buena Vista Winery and sold for $220,000.
The highest grossing lot of the day, the Fund the Future Lot that supports the Sonoma County wine industry’s childhood literacy initiative, raised over $2,700,000. Dozens of children from the Boys & Girls Club of Sonoma Valley took the stage along with members of Transcendence Theatre Company, inspiring the audience as they performed the moving hit song “Seasons of Love” from the Broadway musical “Rent.”
“Fund the Future is focused upon children’s literacy and it’s so important for the wine industry to give back,” said Dan Kosta of Kosta Browne Winery, a Sonoma County native, father of three and Sonoma Wine Country Weekend 2016 Co-Chair, “This is so important for us as a community, as 54 percent of the kids in Sonoma County are reading below grade level, which is not sustainable or acceptable. We need kids to learn to read, so that they can read to learn. If kids can read, they will succeed.”
The top wine-only lot which sold for $65,000 was a collection of 153 magnums of wine, which celebrated the Ladies of Magnum Force, women of the Sonoma wine world that have raised more than $500,000 over the last 13 years.
The top bidders of the day were Joe Anderson and Mary Dewane of Benovia Winery who generously supported the event with several purchases, as well as lot donations and the addition of a group of generous bidders from Southwest Florida. Other visiting bidders from New Mexico, Texas and Oklahoma were invited by vintner Robert Kamen.
The 2016 Sonoma Wine Country Weekend Co-Executive Directors Maureen Cottingham (Sonoma Valley Vintners and Growers Alliance) and Jean Arnold Sessions (Sonoma County Vintners), along with the members of their Boards of Directors, are thrilled with the $5,712,000 gross proceeds that the entire Sonoma Wine Country Weekend raised.
“The commitment and generosity of our vintner and grower community, as well as the support of so many bidders from near and far, are an inspiration,” said Sessions. “In addition to the donations of wine and incredible experiences, Sonoma vintners and growers have made a firm commitment to fund the local children’s literacy program for another three years.”
“Supporting Sonoma County is what Sonoma Wine Country Weekend is all about,” said Cottingham, “Year after year, it is truly amazing to see vintners, winegrowers, and bidders give more and more, while still having so much fun!”
Photo credit: Business Wire
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