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Napa Valley Vintners Give $6.8 million from 2006 Auction Napa Valley
Signature Event is Pride of the Community
11/3/2006 - St Helena, CA - The parties are over, the bidders have gone home and now the real celebration begins as Napa Valley Vintners (NVV) deliver $6.8 million to Napa County health, low-income housing and youth service non-profits. A check presentation ceremony was held at Copia, The American Center for Wine, Food and the Arts in Napa on Thursday, November 2. On hand to receive this year's grants were the executive directors of the various beneficiaries, along with community leaders, elected officials and members vintners. The check presentation was hosted by the NVV with Peter McCrea of Stony Hill Vineyards, vice president of the board of directors of NVV and Auction Napa Valley, as well as Jack and Dolores Cakebread, of Cakebread Cellars, chairs of the June 2006 annual event. With over 45 beneficiary organizations receiving grants from Auction Napa Valley, the granddaddy of charity wine auctions, the giving is now nearly $69 million to the community since the event's inception.
Children's Health Initiative Continues
Additionally, 2006 marks the second year of the NVV's three year, $1 million commitment to the Napa County Children's Health Initiative (CHI). This gift, created in 2005, is the largest single industry or non-foundation private contribution to a CHI in California. The funding provides the guarantee that every low- or middle-income child in Napa County has access to health insurance. Hugh Davies of Schramsberg Vineyards who is the president of the board of directors for both NVV and Auction Napa Valley said; "Our community is in an enviable position to be able to provide such outstanding services from these non-profit organizations through their tireless work and we are proud to support their efforts through Auction Napa Valley."
Clinic Olé receives $400,000 Robert Mondavi Fund Award
Auction Napa Valley is the most successful wine auction in the world, but the vintners keep in mind that there may be times when auction revenues fall short and with the success of this annual event, these organizations have become dependent on these grants for their survival and ability to serve the residents of Napa County. Therefore, over the years, the NVV has created a Health Care Fund that acts as a reserve for health care providers should the Auction experience a drastic shortfall or should there arise a health care emergency in the community. Income from interest on this set-aside fund is then distributed, in addition to the bidder revenue from the Auction, to a selected beneficiary. This disbursement, since 2005, has been named the Robert Mondavi Fund, and this year the fund is giving a $400,000 award to Clinic Olé.
Projects from providing for state-of-the-art medical robotics for the Queen of the Valley Hospital to hospice services, scouting for girls in low-income settings to build self-esteem to farmworker housing and advocacy through Napa Valley Community Housing (NVCH) open up myriad opportunities for the community at large. Sue Dee Shenk, executive director of NVCH said; "Through the on going support of Auction grants, we are able to make a profoundly positive difference in people's lives. I cannot imagine any of our organizations operating without this resource."
Vintners Take Pride in Napa County
The wine industry is Napa Valley's heart, and the vintner community takes pride in its role in contributing to the health and well-being of the county's residents. The Cakebread Family of Cakebread Cellars chaired Auction Napa Valley 2006, but as winery founder Jack Cakebread says; "It takes the work of the entire community to make this event happen. With over 900 volunteers from all over the valley, the hospitality of our community members and the generosity of our member vintners, bidders from around the world are made to feel welcome to this terrific annual event and return year after year."
The grants this year contribute to every community from American Canyon to Calistoga. "We all have a vested interest in keeping the Auction at the top its game so as to be in a position to keep these wonderful beneficiaries vital," said Bill Phelps of Joseph Phelps Vineyards. The Joseph Phelps Vineyards Family will chair Auction Napa Valley "The American Classic," June 7-10.
About Auction Napa Valley
Established by a thoughtful group of Napa Valley Vintners in 1981, ANV is the granddaddy of charity wine auctions in America, having given nearly $69 million dollars to healthcare, youth service and low-income housing charities in Napa County. NVV is proud of our member's contributions, raising desperately needed funds through ANV and for being the backbone of all other charity wine auctions across the U.S.
About the NVV
Now in our seventh decade, the Napa Valley Vintners (NVV) non-profit trade association is the sole organization responsible for promoting and protecting the Napa Valley Appellation as a winegrowing region second to none in the world. Respect for our history reinforces our commitment to the preservation and enhancement of the Valley's land, wine, and community for future generations. We address the shared interests of our more than 270 members and aspire to be the essential organization for all Napa Valley vintners.
Click Here for a list of the 2006 beneficiaries.
View photo gallery of check presentation ceremony.
Contact: Terry Hall 707-968-4217
