Livermore Valley Wine Auction Raises $325,000 for Local Children’s Charities
Livermore Valley, May 18, 2016 – The Livermore Valley Winegrowers Foundation and the Wente Foundation for Arts Education are pleased to announce that together they raised $325,000 for local children’s charities in the areas of nutrition, healthcare, foster care and arts education as a result of the 22nd annual Livermore Valley Wine Auction, held on May 14, 2016. The two host foundations will present checks to the following beneficiaries at a special check presentation event on August 18, 2016: Agape Villages, The Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center’s Bankhead Theater, Livermore Valley Education Foundation, The Taylor Family Foundation and Open Heart Kitchen.
The Livermore Valley Wine Auction was generously sponsored by The Rick and Melinda Reed Family Foundation as Master of Wine Sponsor, and the following companies as Master Sommelier Sponsors: Black Tie Transportation, Diablo Magazine, FedEx, Gallo Glass Company, and The Rose Hotel. The following companies supported the event as Sommelier Sponsors: Pinnacle Brokers, The Clorox Company, Chevron, Berlogar Stevens & Associates, World Cooperage, The Safeway Foundation and Lam Research. “I’m thrilled with the success of the event and the sense of community it creates,” said Peter Leary, President of the Livermore Valley Winegrowers Foundation Board. “We could not have done this without the tremendous support of our sponsors, donors, guests and Livermore Valley wineries.”
The Wine Auction, held in the Barrel Room at the Wente Vineyards Estate Winery, was attended by approximately 300 guests who enthusiastically bid on 17 live auction packages and dozens of silent auction lots. In addition, the guests generously raised their bidding paddles during the fund-a-need, raising approximately $50,000 for Open Heart Kitchen’s Weekend Lunch Program for children in the Livermore Valley area who receive free and reduced lunch at school during the week. During the silent auction, 18 Livermore Valley winemakers poured their finest wines, showcasing the range and quality of wines grown and produced in the region. Christine Wente, Auction Chair and President of the Wente Foundation Board, said “The Livermore Valley Wine Auction is a wonderful way for our Livermore Valley wineries to give back. We’re proud to co-host this event that showcases Livermore Valley wines and improves the lives of children in our community.”
The mission of the Livermore Valley Winegrowers Foundation is to raise funds to improve the quality of life for under-served local children. The mission of the Wente Foundation for Arts Education is to provide support for arts education programs in the Livermore Valley and throughout Northern California. For more information, please contact Brandi Lombardi, Auction Manager, at auctionmgr@lvwf.org or (925) 321-8338.
