Monterey International Expression Of The World

Monterey Vintners & Growers Foundation Hosts Auction and Gala

(Monterey, CA) January 20, 2009 -Over thirty Monterey County wineries will be showcased during a special evening of superlative wine, international cuisine from the Pacific Rim, Brazil, and Italy, live music from Grammy winner Louie Ortega, dancing, and a silent and live auction, hosted by past Monterey County Supervisor, Butch Lindley. The Auction & Gala will occur in the private barrel room at Jackson Family Wines in the Salinas Valley, Saturday, February 21, 2009.

The 2009 Auction & Gala will honor the contributions of Jerry Lohr, President /Owner of J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines. As Honoree, Lohr will be recognized for his work on behalf of California's wine industry, and his contributions to Monterey County's wine industry as one of its founding fathers. Lohr is a former chair of the Wine Institute and former chairman of the Regional Winegrower's Council. He is also one of the four founding members of Wine Vision, an industry group that promotes a long-range view of the wine industry. Over the course of his career, Lohr has served as founding director, four-time president, and chairman of the marketing committee of the Monterey Vintners and Growers Association.

"Jerry Lohr's vision in the 1970's to recognize Monterey as having the potential to be a premiere grape growing region is one of the major reasons why the area is currently one of the leading wine areas in California. His leadership has been instrumental in setting a benchmark for the caliber of grapes that can be grown in Monterey and the wines that can be produced. I am personally grateful for all that he has done for the industry, Monterey Wine Country, and our Association," said Rhonda Motil, Executive Director, Monterey Country Vintners & Growers Association.

The Auction & Gala will feature a reverse draw for participants. The lucky guests will be whisked away to Tahiti and Bora Bora for an amazing retreat full of leisure and relaxation. Other reverse draw packages will include a Giants Baseball Excursion, San Francisco Weekend Theatre Getaway, and a Spa & Pamper Indulgence Day.

Over fifty silent and twelve live auction lot items will be showcased at the event. Items will include exquisite wine collections from Monterey County, one-of-a-kind vineyard and touring packages, as well as a series of international excursions. Proceeds generated will be distributed to worthy charitable and viticulture research causes.

Previous recipients have included Habitat for Humanity, Heal the Bay, the American Vineyard Foundation, the University of California viticulture research, and numerous collegiate scholarships to local children. The Auction and Gala is sponsored by: The Monterey County Vintners and Growers Foundation, 501C3, Mercedes Benz of Monterey County and Rabobank.

The Auction & Gala will be held Saturday, February 21, 2009, 6:30 p.m. - 11:00 p.m., at Jackson Family Wines, Doud Road in Soledad. Tickets are $175 per person, inclusive of the reverse draw prize packages. Escorted transportation will be made available to the event from Monterey Bay & Salinas.

The Monterey County Vintners & Growers Foundation (MCVGF) brings together the talents and resources of its members, partners and the community in order to promote and support leadership in the art, the science and the business of wine. Founded in 1974, MCVGF is a non-profit organization representing over 85 vintners and growers in Monterey, California. For additional information, please visit www.montereywines.org, or call (831) 375-9400.