Imagine Auction Partners with Sonoma County Vintners to
Create Sonoma Imagine

Appril 2, 2007, Santa Rosa, CA - The Imagine Auction, founded by Barbara Banke and Jess Jackson and Peggy and Fred Furth, has joined forces with the Sonoma County Vintners to become Sonoma Imagine. This alliance will reinforce the Imagine legacy and consolidate the region's most successful community fundraising efforts.

The Sonoma Imagine Auction will be held on October 6, 2007, at the Francis Ford Coppola Winery, located in Alexander Valley. The 2007 event, with the help of the Sonoma County Vintners, promises to galvanize Sonoma Imagine as a leader in philanthropic wine-industry events. Sonoma Imagine is positioned to build a legacy of success within the Sonoma community, and draw recognition both nationally and internationally. As was the case with Imagine, Sonoma Imagine will continue to distribute 100% of the proceeds raised to the beneficiaries, thanks to the generous support of sponsors.

Sonoma County Vintners Executive Director, Honore Comfort noted, "The Sonoma County Vintners commitment to the Sonoma Imagine auction will continue the advancement of Sonoma County's reputation as a premium wine region and help secure its place on the international stage of fine wines. It also gives us the opportunity to invest back into our community, which has always been an important part of our organization's mission."

Barbara Banke, Jackson Family Wines co-proprietor, said, "We are thrilled to partner with the Sonoma County Vintners in the Sonoma Imagine Auction. When we blend our history of success with Sonoma County's premium wine industry, the event will be even more successful. I am sure we will be able to increase our support of vital charitable institutions in Sonoma County and the Bay Area.

Together with a group of financial sponsors and a dedicated team of volunteers, the first Imagine Auction at Chalk Hill Estate in 2004 made Sonoma County history, topping $1 million in proceeds. Having distributed more than $4.5 million in only three years, the Imagine Auction is one of the top three wine auctions in the nation and has gained recognition for providing necessary funds for its local and regional beneficiaries.

The Imagine Auction began with the founders desire to focus their respective family foundations on the needs of children, primarily in the areas of education, health care, social services, after-school programs and the arts. Through their wineries, Jackson Family Wines and Chalk Hill Estate Vineyards & Winery, the founders had already established relationships with leading charitable wine auctions and events across the United States. The great success of these wine and lifestyle ventures inspired the founders to apply the same principles to their charitable efforts at home in Sonoma County.

Sonoma Imagine and Sonoma County Vintners are currently reaching out to their peers to strengthen local support for the auction, and are also developing a highly engaged board of trustees to ensure year-to-year growth.

To discuss sponsorship opportunities or for more information about Sonoma Imagine, please contact Auction Director Kelley Perez at 707.522.6444 or email info@sonomaimagine.com.