Inger Jorgensen and Jeff Pevar perform Jan. 21
Winery owners are generous. Not a year goes by that each isn’t asked to contribute bottles or cases to a good cause. These owners donate throughout the year – sometimes quietly; sometimes publicly with the help of their customers -- especially to charities that hold a special place in their heart.
Right now, Haiti’s urgent need for financial support to lift it out of the death, ruble and sadness caused by a devastating earthquake is tugging on everyone’s heartstrings.
Although many Oregon wineries are closed for the winter, some owners and staffers are finding ways for customers and wine club members to donate to Haitian relief funds. Special pleads are being posted on Facebook and Twitter pages like this one for Sokol Blosser Winery in Dundee. Annie Shull of Raptor Ridge Winery in Carlton posted the American Red Cross cell phone contribution number on her personal Facebook page the minute she learned about it.
A few winery owners are putting on special events to raise money. One of the most ambitious is a January 25th concert being planned by the direct sales manager of Daedalus Cellars in Dundee with the owners of The Woods, a music venue in Portland’s historic Sellwood that can accommodate 240 people. The $10 entry fee will go to Portland-based MercyCorps. “I organized the event today with the aid of Ritchie Young, one of the proprietors of The Woods,” says Sara Shaw of Daedalus Cellars, who is volunteering as a bartender at the event and donating her tips. Daedalus will be donating wine and promoting it to its customers. “We'll have three locally lauded bands playing. Because of who these bands are, we're pretty sure the show will sell out,” says Shaw.
Many winery owners, like those of Stag Hollow Wines in Yamhill and Trium Wines in Talent, are making private pledges to aid agencies like the American Red Cross, AmeriCares and MercyCorps.
“We thought about asking our wine club to donate together but decided it was a very personal issue and we would let everyone make their own decisions,” says Christy Simmons, who owns Misty Oaks Vineyard in Oakland, Oregon with her husband Steve. “Steve and I have donated to both the Red Cross and Save the Children.”
Robert Kerivan of Bridgeview Vineyards and Winery in Cave Junction and Grants Pass used to visit Haiti frequently when he owned Turks Air Cargo. "I really love the Haitian people," he says. "They really have the short end of the stick in the world today. And they've had it for the last 100 years." He gave $500 to one of his former employees of Turks Air to bring directly to Haiti. He pledges to send $500 a month.
No matter how it's given, every donation matters.
“While thousands of miles separate Oregon from the destruction and devastation in Haiti,” states Boedecker Cellar’s home page, “we want to do what little we can to reach out to those in dire need.”
Here’s a look at how you can join in the efforts:
- During the month of January, Boedecker Cellars in Portland is donating 10% of all sales through its website, wine club and tasting room to MercyCorps’ relief efforts in Haiti. “We've also set up a fundraising page on the MercyCorps site to make it quick and easy for you to donate directly to their relief efforts,” writes Athena Pappas. As for the donations, she says they are “slow and steady.”
- Robin and Danuta Pfeiffer of Pfeiffer Winery in Junction City sent out a newsletter this week encouraging wine club members to donate the price of a bottle of Pinot Gris to the American Red Cross. “If they bring their receipt to the winery, we will give a 50% discount on any bottle of white wine they purchase,” says Danuta. Also, on the floor next to the wine bar is a four-foot-tall crystal wine goblet – “I mean GIANT!" exclaims Danuta – that customers are filling with small change that will be sent to the American Red Cross' Haitian relief effort.
- Christopher Bridge Cellars in Oregon City continues to support Doctors Without Borders and Forward Edge International, two of the relief organizations responding with teams and supplies for Haiti. Since Spring 2008, the winery has been donating 10% of the proceeds of sale of its 2006 DNP (Dona Nobis Pacem) Pinot Noir. “The needs will continue to grow and we are blessed indeed to be able to help," says owner Susanne Carlberg. Her daughter Valerie participated in a Forward Edge International mission to Nicaragua. “Since then, Valerie, also a team member at Christopher Bridge Cellars, has entered her first year of medical studies at Oregon Health Science University with hopes of continuing her humanitarian work upon graduation as a doctor of medicine,” says her proud mother.
- Marcus Goodfellow donated a case of Matello Wines to Portland's Lincoln Restaurant's fundraising for MercyCorps’ efforts for Haiti. “They are pouring the wine through the week and donating a percentage of the money,” says Goodfellow. "I think many people would really like to help out with the dire situation in Haiti, but may not have an idea how to go about doing it. Each time people read about ways they can do something good, or people that are making a difference, especially in small ways, it inspires each of us to do a little bit more. I know one of the things I love about this industry is the multitude of opportunities to help out in small ways."
- Valley View Winery in Jacksonville is joining forces with the Medford Rogue Rotary club to purchase and send more than 100 AquaBoxes filled with humanitarian supplies (tolietries, first-aid, utensils, shelter, batteries, linens). Brilliantly, the plastic container is reusable as a water filtration device. Says Valley View Winery's Mark Wisnovsky, "Community giving has been a vital part of Valley View Winery since the beginning in 1976." He helped found the Hearts & Vines Wine Auction in 1993, which has given about $2 million in grants to prevent domestic violence. "A year ago, my brother Mike and I decided that, seeing how many wineries would cut back in this time of economic struggle, we would double our giving in 2009, which we have done," says Mark.
- NEW: Weisinger's of Ashland is donating 10% of all sales through January to direct Haitian relief. "My cousin worked in Haiti for five years at the U.N.," says manager Robert Trottmann. "He is a major player in public health. He has a direct contact in Haiti, so we do not have to go through any aid agencies. The money will go directly to folks who need it on the ground. His former office is gone and many of his friends and co-workers lost their lives. We must do what we can to help."
- NEW: The Historic Ashland Armory will the the site of a special all-ages Concert for Haitian Earthquake Relief Thursday, January 21, 6 p.m.- 10 p.m. organized by the Rogue Suspects and Bohemia Gallery. Tickets are $10-$20 with all proceeds benefiting the Red Cross Haiti Relief Fund. Caldera Brewing Company will serve beer and wines. Performers include the Rogue Suspects with the legendary Jeff Pevar and Inger Jorgensen, Bohemian Soul featuring vocal-instrumentalist Cornflower, One Horse Shy, Salsa Brava, Frankie Hernandez Band, Alice DiMicele, Bret Levick, Ed Dunsavage, Smokey Red, Annie McIntyre with special appearances by New York Times Bestselling Author Gary Zukav ("Seat of the Soul"), Nikita Gearing and Dancing People Company. For more information, (541) 488-5227 or www.bohemiagallery.com
Adds Athena Pappas of Boedecker: “No amount is too small, as millions of small donations quickly add up to real assistance to those in need.”
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