Sonoma County Wine Celebration Raises $1.6 Million to Support Children’s Charities

Highlighting the annual event were exclusive dinner experiences with actor Harry Hamlin, lavish getaways, and an abundance of fine wines.

As the final paddle was raised at the recently rebranded Sonoma County Wine Celebration and live auction last month, the Sonoma County Vintners Foundation (SCVF) had successfully gathered nearly $1.6 million to support local charities. This marked an increase from last year’s fundraising total of $1.3 million.

The three-day celebration, which featured a welcome reception and a country-themed party, reached its pinnacle with the live auction on September 21. There, 230 attendees congregated beneath a large white tent set up on the grounds of Chateau St. Jean in Kenwood. The highest-selling item of the day was acquired by an anonymous bidder for a remarkable $150,000. Titled “The (Wine) Revolution Starts Here,” this lot comprised a distinctive collection of 230 Sonoma Valley wines, featuring a variety of bottle formats and labels from renowned wineries such as Arrowood, Buena Vista, Hanzell, Kistler Vineyards, and Patz & Hall.

“[The winning bidder] has been a long-time visitor to the Sonoma Valley and is passionate about its wines,” shared George Hamel of Hamel Family Wines, who placed the bid on behalf of the buyer. “He sought a collection that offered both the quantity and unique selections that he couldn’t find anywhere else.”

A standout auction item featured actor Harry Hamlin alongside vintner Donald Patz from Maritana Vineyards. Hamlin, recognized for his roles in TV series such as “L.A. Law” and “Mad Men,” is also the husband of Lisa Rinna, who has her own wine label. He currently stars in a cooking show on AMC called “In the Kitchen with Harry Hamlin.” This particular lot, titled “The King of Bolognese Dinner,” featured a meal prepared by Hamlin himself, accompanied by wines from Patz’s personal selection, as well as a curated 60-bottle collection of Pinot Noir that the two collaborated on.

“Just to clarify, we’ll be coming to your home to cook for you and eight of your friends,” Patz announced to the audience. “How many times will you recount this experience? ‘Do you remember the time Harry came over and cooked for us, and that Donald guy was there, too?’”

The auction excitement heightened as Hamlin encouraged the attendees to participate. “Today’s purpose is to raise funds to combat hunger and support various other charities,” he stated. As competing bids rose between two contenders, Hamlin and Patz decided to hold the dinner twice, ultimately bringing in a remarkable $60,000 from the two winning bidders.

Similarly, the “Farmer, Butcher, Chef, and a Unicorn” lot was also doubled, resulting in a total of $32,000 gathered between the two bidders. This package offered dinner for 10 guests at the Forestville farm owned by chefs Duskie Estes and John Stewart, with the meal prepared by another local culinary couple, Mark and Terri Stark. The evening would also feature a selection of Three Sticks wines chosen by winery co-founder Prema Kerollis.

The yearly Fund-A-Need initiative resulted in an impressive total of $760,000, with many participants committing amounts ranging from $250 to $300,000 for the K-3 Innovation literacy program. Óscar Chávez, president of the Community Foundation Sonoma County, expressed to the attendees, “There is nothing more important than learning how to read.”

Over the past 36 years, the auction has contributed over $43 million to the Sonoma County community. These funds support grants for nonprofits that concentrate on education, health services, arts and culture, and environmental initiatives.

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About the Author: Chris Lehoux

Meet Chris Lehoux, an experienced wine connoisseur and dedicated blogger with a deep passion for all things wine-related. With years of expertise in the industry, Chris shares insightful wine reviews, valuable wine tasting tips, expert pairing advice, and captivating tales of vineyard visits. Join Chris on a journey through the world of wine, where every sip is an adventure waiting to be savored!