Master of ceremonies Rob Roumiguiere prepares to introduce the recipients of the annual White wine Auction proceeds on Monday, Dec. 12, 2022 at Bell Sanctuary Resort in Kelseyville, California. Photo by Elizabeth Larson/Lake County News.
KELSEYVILLE, Calif.– The Lake County Red wine Alliance commemorated the holiday with a series of huge gifts– in the form of checks– to lots of local nonprofits and schools.At a Monday night event held at Bell Haven Resort, Flower Farm and Occasion Structure in Kelseyville, the Wine Alliance held the annual circulation of the earnings of its signature Wine Auction, held in September.This year’s White wine
Auction generated record profits that provided the funds that will benefit nearly 30 local not-for-profit organizations and all five county high schools.Over its 21-year history, the Red wine Auction has come across hard years– such as during the Great Economic crisis– and cancellations, including in 2015 throughout the Valley fire. More just recently, the COVID-19 pandemic affected the event.
Nevertheless, Rob Roumiguiere, the Wine Alliance treasurer and the master of ceremonies, said that the occasion has come back strong.”It’s been a long run,”he said, including
,”The neighborhood has been so generous. “To date, the White wine Alliance has offered about$
2.3 million, Rob Roumiguiere stated. “Last year, we set a record, “distributing$250,000
, which Roumiguiere said was”mind blowing.”However, this year’s Wine Auction exceeded even that
, making the disbursement on Monday night the most significant yet– with$300,000 in checks given out, which Roumiguiere was excited to report.That’s a long way from its inaugural year in 2000, when Roumiguiere stated profits amounted to$31,000. Agents of Lake County high schools with the honorary big White wine Auction examine Monday, Dec.
12, 2022 at Bell Haven Resort in Kelseyville, California. Photo by Elizabeth Larson/Lake County News. This year, beneficiaries consisted of the Adventist shower project, Worldwide Recovery Hands, the county’s senior centers, United Christian Parish, Catholic Charities, First Lutheran Church, Lake County’s five high schools and all 4 county National FFA Company programs, Lake County Symphony Association, Lake County Rural Arts Effort, Konocti Christian Academy, Mountain Vista Intermediate School, Lake County Channel Cats, Lake County Constable’s Activity League, Sheriffs and You Foundation, Forest Community College, the cooking programs at Lower Lake and Clear Lake high schools, Operation Tango Mike, Totes for Teens, Lake County Young Life, South Lake Alliance Children’s Museum, Give Back Track, Lake County Literacy Foundation, Pals of the Lake County Library, the Lake County Fair Structure, Lake Family Resource Center, Ely Phase Stop, Hospice Providers of Lake County and Individuals Services.Roumiguiere credited many sponsors and volunteers for making the occasion happen.He offered special recognition to Clay and Angie Shannon, who hosted the Red wine Auction at
The Mercantile in Kelseyville in September, in addition to Congressman Mike Thompson, a longtime advocate; artist John R. Clarke, whose watercolor paintings of Lake County surroundings have actually been included as the yearly Wine Auction poster, with the originals fetching thousands each when auctioned off at the event; Sheriff Brian Martin and businesswoman Jennifer Strong, who were this year’s auctioneers; Beth and Jeff Havrilla of Lake Occasion Style, who have always handled to set up terrific occasions at a range of venues, from horse barns to wineries; Tom Aiken and Rico Abordo, who help arrange volunteers; and the lots of dining establishments and wineries who provide food and wine.Since 2000, the Red wine Auction has actually been enabled by a host of sponsors, including Adventist Health, Reynolds Systems, Lake County Tribal Health, 6 Sigma Cattle Ranch and Winery, Congressman Thompson, Pacific Gas and Electric Co., Bella Vista Farming, Shannon Household of Red Wines, Beckstoffer Vineyards, Sysco Foods, Sutter Health, TricorBraun WinePak, Cork Supply USA, Neighborhood First Credit Union, BitSculptor, Lake Co. Winery Association and Shields Construction.”We gather everything and after that we give everything away, “and the disbursement occasion is the emphasize, Roumiguiere said.Roumiguiere stated work is already underway on the 2023 White wine Auction, which occurs Sept. 16.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You require JavaScript allowed to view it.
. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews. The group of recipients of the yearly
Wine Auction proceeds on Monday, Dec. 12, 2022 at Bell Haven Resort in Kelseyville, California. Image by Elizabeth Larson/Lake County News.