LAKE COUNTY, CA. — Even though 2015 Lake County Wine Auction had to be canceled because of the Valley Fire, the events producers were still able to raise $88,700 for charities and other local organizations who serve a wide range of needs across the community.

This distribution was made possible by generous auction sponsors and ticket holders who kept their money with the event despite it’s cancelation, and by a $40,000 donation from The Lake County Rising Fire Relief Fund in support of beneficiaries who served on the front lines of fire relief. These organizations provided food, housing, medical care, clothing, household supplies and other services to those who were suffering.

Five high schools, five youth oriented programs and 17 other nonprofit organizations will share the in the proceeds, which were distributed on the evening of December 9, 2015 during a festive reception for beneficiaries and sponsors at Boatique Winery on Red Hills Road in Kelseyville.

Once again, education was the emphasis. “Our commitment to this critical area will ensure that Lake County grows as a strong and healthy community for the next generation.” said Kaj Ahlmann, President of the Lake County Wine Alliance.

The Wine Alliance, is a non profit organization of wineries, wine grape growers, vineyard owners, related businesses and community supporters and the sponsor of the Wine Auction. Since it’s founding in 2000, the Wine Alliance has raised $1,266,502 to foster the arts, benefit health services and otherwise support the Lake County community.

Applications are now being accepted for proceeds  from the 2016 auction, to be held on September 20th. Copies are available at the auctions website www.WineAlliance.Org.

The 2016 Auction, will take place at Cache Creek Vineyards and Tasting Room on Highway 20 near New Long Valley Road, with it’s owners Don and Margie Van Pelt serving as honorary co-chairs.

Press Release

This year’s distribution would not have been possible without the support of our valued sponsors:

CalPine, Sutter Lakeside Hospital, Beckstoffer Vineyards, Six Sigma Ranch and Winery, St. Helena Hospital, Sysco Foods, Artist John Clarke, Mendo-Lake Credit Union, Umpqua Bank, Cache Creek Vineyard and Winery, Boatique Winery, Kelseyville Pharmacy, Bfrassfield Estate Winery, Shannon Ridge Vineyards and Winery, C-Line Express Trucking, Savings Bank of Mendocino and P.G. & E.

The Board of Directors of the Lake County Wine Alliance wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who made this year’s success possible. Your support is deeply appreciated, not only by us but by our beneficiaries as well.

The proceeds for 2015 were distributed as follows.

The Arts ($30,000)
$6,000 Lower Lake High School
$6,000 Kelseyville High School
$6,000 Upper Lake High School
$6,000 Clearlake High School
$6,000 Middletown High School

Health and Community ($58,700)
$8,000 Friends of the Lake County Library
$3,000 Sponsoring Survivorship
$5,000 Lake County Historical Society
$2,000 Yuba College Culinary Club
$5,000 Lake County Symphony Association
$4,000 Lake Community United Methodist Church Food Closet
$2,000 Lower Lake High School Culinary Program
$2,000 Kelseyville Food Pantry
$1,200 Children’s Museum of Arts and Science
$3,500 Operation Tango Mike
$9,000 Worldwide Healing Hands for Local Clinics
$9,000 Habitat for Humanity
$1,000 Highlands Senior Service Center
$1,000 Lakeport Senior Center
$1,000 Live Oak Senior Center
$1,000 Lucerne Alpine Seniors
$1,000 Middletown Senior Center