Monterey Auction And Gala Deemed An Immense Success

Monterey Vintners & Growers Foundation Hosts World-Class Wine and Food Event and Raises Needed Funding for Scholarships, Local Charities, and Research

(Monterey, CA) March 4, 2009-Thirty Monterey County wineries and 200 guests gathered for a special evening of superlative wine and international cuisine as bidders raised $75,000 for college scholarships, local charities, and viticulture research. 2008 scholarship winners, Elizabeth Miller and Erin Franscioni, were present to tell those gathered how much the scholarships had meant to them personally. Louie Ortega and his band excited the crowd with their Grammy Award winning music throughout the evening. "We were exceptionally pleased with the night's events and the generosity of the attendees. This continues to be an annual signature event to showcase the value that our members and friends of the wine industry place on being significant contributors to the local community," said Rhonda Motil, Executive Director, Monterey County Vintners & Growers Association. The Auction & Gala was held at the private barrel room of Jackson Family Wines in the Salinas Valley.

Jerry Lohr, President /Owner, J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, was the celebrated Honoree of the 2009 Auction & Gala. Robert 'Bob' and Marie Gallo, Gallo Family Vineyards, introduced Jerry Lohr, recognizing his tireless efforts on behalf of California's wine industry and his contributions to Monterey County's wine industry as one of its founding fathers.

"It was our sincere pleasure to honor Jerry Lohr. His vision for Monterey to be one of California's premiere winegrape growing regions began in the 1970's and has been steadfast. 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. The Monterey Wine Country vintners and I are exceptionally grateful for his friendship and contributions," said Motil.

Highlights from the live auction included a grand day of fanfare with Jerry Lohr in San Francisco, which promises great wine, club-level seating for four at a San Francisco Giants game in AT & T Park with Jerry, and an overnight stay at the Executive Hotel Vintage Court on Nob Hill, where wine country meets urban living. Among the fifty lifestyle and travel auction lots, was the coveted "Twelve Day Enchanted Escapade Mediterranean for Two," which included airfare and various stops in Greece, Malta, Sicily and Italy. The climax of the evening was the highly anticipated reverse draw for a seven-day retreat in Tahiti and Bora Bora, which was won by guest Sam Lucente.

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.