SONOMA,
Calif. (February 8, 2007) -
The Sonoma Valley Vintners and Growers
Alliance (SVVGA) has announced that
the 15th Annual Sonoma Valley Harvest
Wine Auction will be held at Cline Cellars.
After 14 successful years, the auction
has outgrown its previous venue, the
Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn. The
15th Annual Sonoma Valley Harvest Wine
Auction Weekend will take place
Friday, Saturday and Sunday, August
30 - September 2, 2007, at
various locations throughout the Valley,
highlighted by the Harvest Auction
at Cline Cellars on September
2.
"Although the Fairmont Sonoma Mission
Inn is a beautiful venue and a valued
sponsor, moving the venue to Cline Cellars
will provide a great opportunity for
SVVGA to showcase one of our member
wineries and will give us the additional
space to allow more of the community
to participate," said Grant Raeside,
SVVGA executive director.
This year's event will have a Wild West
theme and use the slogan: "The
Wild Bunch. Is that a magnum in your
holster or are you just happy to be
in Sonoma Valley?" The honorary
co-chairs of this year's auction, Alis
and Richard Arrowood of Arrowood Winery
& Vineyards, were recently joined
by an enthusiastic group of SVVGA members
to help develop the colorful tag line.
"The Sonoma Valley Harvest Auction
is known for its over-the-top themes,
hilarious performances by our members,
and very festive atmosphere," noted
Alis Arrowood. "We think this year's
Auction will be the most memorable yet."
Also new for this year, an Auction Advisory
Board has been formed to better involve
the community in the auction. The Advisory
Board will oversee eight Advisory Committees
headed by co-chairs selected from SVVGA
winery employees, culinary professionals,
and community members. The newly formed
committees are: Food & Beverage,
Bidder Recruitment, Marketing/ Public
Relations, Skit, Lot Acquisition, Lodging,
Charity Partner, and Winemaker Dinners.
Julie Atwood of Atwood Ranch will serve
as the Auction Advisory Chairperson
as well as the Beneficiary Liason.
In its 14 years, through the generous
efforts of auction bidders, private
outside donors, sponsors, media partners
and members of the producing organization,
the Sonoma Valley Vintners & Growers
Alliance, the Sonoma Valley Harvest
Wine Auction has raised over $5 million
to benefit Sonoma Valley charities.
Each year proceeds of the auction go
to 14 area charities that benefit children,
farm workers and people in need in the
Sonoma Valley.
About the Sonoma Valley Vintners &
Growers Alliance and Foundation (SVVGA)
The Sonoma Valley Vintners & Growers
Alliance and Foundation (SVVGA) is a
unique non-profit organization, formed
in 1992 through a merger of the Sonoma
Valley Vintners Association and the
Sonoma Valley Grape Growers Association.
More than 75 wineries and 140 growers
share a mission to promote Sonoma Valley
wines and grapes, support cooperation
and collaboration among vintners and
growers, and develop community awareness
of the industry.
For
more information on the SVVGA, please
call 707.935.0803 or visit the Web site
at www.sonomavalleywine.com.