LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Wine Auction's winning combination of wonderful wines, locally produced food and an exciting atmosphere once again inspired people from all over the region to help support worthy local causes.
The auction was held on Saturday, Sept. 17, at Cache Creek Vineyard and Winery in Clearlake Oaks.
“It was a beautiful night under the moon,” said Wine Alliance director Marie Beery, “and people were very generous under its influence.”
The bidding was 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 give $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, organizers said.
During the auction, attendees were treated to tasty treats from 10 of Lake County's finest food purveyors, and a three-course meal produced under the supervision of chefs Rob Cabreros, Ann-Marie Pleskaczewski and Gordon Upfold.
The meal was complemented by a pair of Cuvee wines blended by Jed Steele of Steele Wines and Mark Burch of Chacewater.
The Lake County Wine Alliance, producer of this event, wished to thank the more than 450 volunteers, sponsors and participants who 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 Sheriff's Activity League, Woodland Community College (Lake Campus) Culinary Club, the Clearlake Gleaners, Operation Tango Mike, Sponsoring Survivorship and Meals on Wheels at the five Lake County senior centers.
Sponsors of the 2016 Lake County Wine Auction were Calpine, PG&E, Sutter Lakeside Hospital, Beckstoffer Vineyards, the Lake County Winegrape Commission, Six Sigma Vineyard & Winery, Cache Creek Vineyard & Winery, Sysco Foods, Tribal Health Consortium, John Clarke, Mendo-Lake Credit Union, Umpqua Bank, Bella Vista Farming, Boatique Winery, Saw Shop Bistro, Servpro, Shannon Ridge Vineyards & Winery, TricorBraun WinePak, Congressman Mike Thompson, Kelseyville Pharmacy, Brassfield Estate Winery, C-Line Express Trucking and Savings Bank of Mendocino County.
Members of the all-volunteer Wine Alliance Board are Kaj Ahlmann, president; Dr. Judy Luchsinger, vice president; Sharron Zoller, secretary; Rob Roumiguiere, treasurer; and Marie Beery and Bill Groody, directors.