LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Nonprofit organizations, agencies and programs based in Lake County are reminded of the March 1 deadline to apply for a share of the proceeds from the 2012 Lake County Wine Auction.

Applications must be postmarked or submitted via email.

Applications for funding may be obtained from the Lake County Wine Alliance Web site, www.winealliance.org, or by contacting Judy Luchsinger, chair of the beneficiaries committee, at 707-263-3280, or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The Wine Alliance may be contacted by phone, 866-279-9463, or by mail to P.O. Box 530, Kelseyville, CA 95451.

The 13th annual benefit, presented by the Wine Alliance, will be held on Sat., Sept. 15 at Brassfield Estate Winery in High Valley.

The Wine Alliance has contributed $896,765 in proceeds to Lake County groups since the inception of the annual charity event in 2000.

Awards are made in the fields of the arts, health services and the community.
 
Eighteen nonprofit organizations, including agencies, programs, senior centers and high schools, received $65,000 from the proceeds of the 2011 Wine Auction held last September at Ceago Vinegarden.

Proceeds include ticket sales, donations from sponsorships, live and silent auction income, purchases of reserve wines at the event, and sales of special edition, commemorative fine art posters by Lake County artist John R. Clarke.

Lake County wineries, wine grape growers, restaurants, and other businesses and individuals are generous supporters through their donations to the live and silent auctions and to the food and beverages served at the gala affair.

Local and regional businesses provide support through sponsorships.

Jerry Brassfield, proprietor of Brassfield Estate Winery and Vineyard, High Valley, is the honorary chair for the 2012 event.