The week of October 8, 2017, Northern California Wine Country, one of the top producers of wine in the world, experienced devastating wildfires. Over 250,000 acres were burned including hundreds of private homes and wineries. In the wake of such destruction several major companies responded and made generous monetary donations, but the most impressive donations were those of cash, goods and services by the very same victims of the fires – wineries and other individuals in the community – that saw the need to help assist neighbors who fared far worse than themselves.
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Bay Area Fundraising Events
-A restaurant-driven fundraiser for Northern California fire relief—culminates in a Gala at San Francisco’s iconic Ferry Building on Sunday, November 19th from 4pm to 7pm. Tickets are on sale now and 100 percent of the proceeds will benefit the Tipping Point Emergency Relief Fund and Restaurants Care.
-Hosted by Liam Mayclem (KCBS Radio’s “Foodie Chap”) and Leslie Sbrocco (KQEDs “Check, Please! Bay Area” Host), the Gala is a fundraiser and celebration to officially bring to a close a week of giving by more than 85 Bay Area restaurants. Guests will enjoy wine from more than 50 wineries across California and the globe, with a total of more than 250 wines to taste, and food by the Ferry Building’s renowned restaurants and eateries.
-The Tipping Point Emergency Relief Fund directly supports low-income communities affected by the devastating fires in the North Bay. Restaurants Care, an emergency assistance fund for restaurant workers formed by the California Restaurant Association Foundation, has dedicated specific funds to support restaurant workers who are affected by the fires.
BUY TICKETS HERE
For more information about ChefsGiving, visit chefsgiving.org , and follow along on social media for the latest news: @ChefsGiving on Instagram , Twitter , and Facebook .
RISE UP SONOMA
-A passionate group of dedicated and compassionate people have pulled together to create an incredible evening in Sonoma County benefiting those deeply affected by the devastating North Bay fires -specifically, those without insurance who need the aid desperately. Rise Up Sonoma consists of San Francisco/Sonoma County’s most influential and notable chefs and restaurants who have created an evening of delectable wine, food, and one of a kind auction items, concluding with a sensational concert led by some of music industry’s legendary artists.
-Donations will be distributed to the following charities:
UndocuFund Fire Relief for Sonoma County; Sonoma Resilience Fund; Redwood Credit Union North Bay Fire Relief; Care Relief Fund; Burners Without Borders; Homes for Sonoma; Rebuild Wine Country
Tickets for this exclusive event are available for purchase here.
Donors
Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation
– Their Fire Relief Fund has raised over $33,000 over the past few weeks. They are distributing these funds to the Napa Valley Community Foundation, American Red Cross, and United Way of Wine Country, specifically to assist in relief efforts for these communities affected by the fires. This campaign is still planning on remaining viable in the coming months so please encourage friends to support.
Gary Farrell Winery
– Donated $10,000 to relief efforts. Also, donating $2 from every bottle sold through the website, over the phone or in the tasting room through the end of the year with a goal of raising $20,000 https://www.garyfarrellwinery.com/
Anaba
– Owner John Sweazey donated $10,000 to Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance to ensure post-fire support for mentors/mentees affected by the fires.
Vintage Wine Estates
– Heart of the Vine was started by Terry Wheatley as a Go Fund Me account to put gift cards for basic necessities into the hands of community members who lost their homes to the wildfires. The Go Fund Me was so successful that they are converting it into a Vintage Wine Estates 501(c)3 to provide continuing support as these people rebuild their lives. https://www.gofundme.com/vweheartofthevine
Constellation Brands
– In addition to $75,000 + funds raised through the Robert Mondavi Winery benefit concert, For The Love Of Napa, Constellation Brands donated $250,000 to the Fire Relief Fund which will be going to: Napa Valley Community Foundation, Redwood Empire Food Bank, and the American Red Cross. Constellation also sponsored a 2:1 employee match.
Northern California Breweries
– Lagunitas Brewing Company, Russian River Brewing Company and the King Ridge Foundation, along with others in the greater brewing community, are creating signature beers under the Sonoma Pride name with proceeds going to the victims of the fires.
– Lagunitas is also brewing a second beer with Moonlight to be distributed throughout the state of California, and will donate profits from this beer to the Redwood Empire Food Bank. Additionally, one dollar from every beer sold in the Petaluma, Chicago, Seattle, and Azusa Tap Rooms will be donated to Redwood Credit Union North Bay Fire Relief Fund. Lagunitas also made a cash donation of $100,000 to the Relief Fund to help assist those in need.
Hall Wines and Walt Wines
– Hall Wines has raised $200,000 to support victims via the Redwood Credit Union’s North Bay Fire Relief Fund a 501(c)(3).
Charles Krug
– Will be donating 20% of its tasting room sales in the month of November—up to $20,000—to the Napa Valley Community Foundation. The Winery is naming the initiative the “Thanks. Giving.” effort, and asks those who are able to join in with their partners in supporting the rebuilding effort that is soon to take place across all of wine country and much of Northern California. Elsewhere, the Sonoma County Resilience Fund, the Napa Valley Community Foundation, and the Community Foundation of Mendocino County are all accepting monetary donations to aid in rebuilding efforts and to support those who were impacted by the fire. Additionally, the Redwood Credit Union has set up a relief fund to help individuals in the area.
Bottle Rock
– Will hold benefit concerts with Counting Crows, Michael Franti, Spearhead and Train – all to support North Bay fire relief efforts.
Around the Globe
France’s Château de Pommard will hold a special silent auction during the 157th ‘Week of Hospices 2017 , with all proceeds going to Rebuild Wine Country , a California-based charity founded by wine industry leaders to benefit those affected.
Doers
If you are planning a visit to wine country be sure to consider visiting these generous businesses that are donating up to %100 of the tasting fees and wine bottle costs to local assistance funds.
Cardinale
Lokoya
Rickards Winery
Limerick Lane Cellars
Amista Vineyards
ACORN Winery/Alegria Vineyards
Francis Ford Coppola
Peterson Winery
Mill Creek Vineyards
DeLoach Vineyards
Goosecross Cellars
Olive and Poppy
- a company based in Napa Valley creating wine inspired accessories for men and women. During the entire month of November 20% of online sales will be donated to fire relief efforts.
- Support these Sonoma and Napa wineries today and carry home your bottle in this chic 100% canvas wine tote. It comes in PINK, RED, WHITE, BUBBLES screen print.
Benovia Winery
In addition to donations per tasting, Benovia has pledged to match up to $100,000 of the total donations given by Benovians to the following organizations, so be sure to reference Benovia Winery when making your donation.
- Redwood Credit Union North Bay Fire Relief Fund – Short and mid-term relief for fire victims.
- Sonoma County Grape Growers Foundation – Supporting the region’s agricultural workers impacted by the fires.
- Sonoma County Community Foundation Resilience Fund – Mid to long-term support for recovery and rebuilding efforts.
How can YOU help?
One of the best ways to support our beautiful, diverse and vast region is to continue drinking Sonoma and Napa County wines from wherever you are. For a directory of our wineries and to purchase wines directly from them, click here for Sonoma County and here for Napa Valley.
Another way to contribute is to continue to visit the many Sonoma and Napa Valley wineries that are open and happily welcoming guests. We recommend contacting your favorite tasting room directly, or you can also check in on our Sonoma County Vintners Facebook page for ongoing updates.
If you would like to make a donation, we encourage you to give to the Sonoma County Resilience Fund to address the needs of those impacted by these devastating fires. The Sonoma County Resilience Fund is managed by Community Foundation Sonoma County to provide long-term relief to those impacted by the fires. Donations to the Resilience Fund will be used across Sonoma County and will be directed to the areas of greatest need.
