Spurred by the generous spirit of its 1,400 guests, Sonoma-Cutrer's 2000 World Croquet Championship Live Auction raised $1,026,400 for children in life-threatening circumstances on Saturday, May 20th.

All Auction proceeds will be donated to the Greater Bay Area Chapter of Make-A-Wish Foundation, The Polly Klaas Foundation, and Magic Moments. charities dedicated to helping children in need. Over the last six years the Championship has donated nearly $3 million to Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Held annually on the grounds of Sonoma-Cutrer Vineyards, the Championship once again broke its own record of $804,000, maintaining its position as the largest charity auction in Sonoma County and one of the nation's top-grossing wine auctions benefiting children's charities. "The phenomenal success of this event just shows that our society cares deeply about the welfare and happiness of its children," said Sonoma-Cutrer founder and President Brice C. Jones. "We are constantly   inspired and awed by the unbounded generosity of our sponsor and patrons. Once again, we owe a debt of heartfelt gratitude to everyone who made this possible."

The live auction began shortly after David Maugham of England was declared World Croquet Champion. The Championship -- considered the ``Wimbledon of Croquet'' -- attracts two dozen of the world's top-ranked croquet players to Sonoma-Cutrer each year.

This year marks the fifteenth World Croquet Championship Live Auction, hosted by Sonoma-Cutrer Vineyards.Founded in 1985 by Sonoma-Cutrer president Brice C. Jones, the Championship is dedicated to assisting children in need. The 16th World Croquet Championship and Auction will be held at Sonoma-Cutrer on May 19, 2001.

To inquire about participating as a corporate sponsor or to make table reservations for next year's Championship, please contact Carey Sakai, executive director of the World Croquet Championship at 707/528-1181.