LAKE COUNTY – The Board of Directors of the Lake County Wine Alliance invites nonprofit organizations, agencies and programs based in Lake County to apply for proceeds from the 2009 Lake County Wine Auction.

The 10th annual benefit will be presented on Sat., Sept. 19. Winegrower Andy Beckstoffer is serving as this year’s event chairman.

March 1 is the deadline for applications to be received.

Application forms may be obtained by contacting Judy Luchsinger, chair of the beneficiaries committee, at 263-3280, fax 263-0863 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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

Sixteen community nonprofit organizations and agencies received a total of $91,500 from the proceeds of the 2008 wine auction.

The Wine Alliance has contributed over $713,000 in proceeds to Lake County groups since the inception of the annual event in 2000.

Local wineries, restaurants and other businesses are generous supporters through their donations to the live and silent auctions and to the food and beverages served at the gala affair. Other Lake County and regional businesses provide support through sponsorships.

The charter of the Wine Alliance directs its efforts to foster the arts, benefit health services, and support the community, while promoting Lake County as a premier grape growing and fine wine region.

The Wine Alliance is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization of Lake County wineries, wine grape growers, and business and community supporters that annually presents the wine auction as a fundraising charity benefit.

Members of the Wine Alliance board are Margaret Walker-Stimmel, president; Marie Beery, vice president; Pamela Shine-Duncan, secretary; Rob Roumiguiere, treasurer; and Jim Fetzer, Judy Luchsinger, Wilda Shock, and Janet Thompson, directors.

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