¡Salud! The Oregon Pinot Noir Auction Raises Over $607,000
Vintners and guests' generosity will fund much-needed 2010 medical outreach.
Hillsboro, OR (PRWEB) November 25, 2009
In its 18th year, http://www. saludauction. org (http://www. saludauction. org) ¡Salud! The Oregon Pinot Noir Auction (http://www. saludauction. org) topped $607,700 in proceeds over the course of the 2-day event on November 13 and 14. Spurred by the Big Board auction of special 2008 Pinot Noir cuvées which raised close to $14,000 above 2008 totals, over 400 guests bid enthusiastically on oral (http://saludauction. org/media/auction2009_oral. pdf) and silent auction lots (http://saludauction. org/media/auction2009_silent. pdf), and contributed over $90,000 in a special appeal for ¡Salud!-sponsored dental clinics.
Co-Chair Vincent Reyes, M. D. said: "In this season of Thanksgiving, we are grateful to all of our supporters on many levels. Not only do they believe in the mission, but their contributions will help us serve over 2,000 individuals in the year ahead. We couldn't continue without their generosity."
"The stellar showing of the 2008 Pinots underscores the exceptional quality of the vintage," said winery co-chair Amy Wesselman of Westrey Wine Company. "It was the first en mass showing of these exciting wines and an opportunity for our colleagues to share them with a very appreciative crowd."
¡Salud! Clinical Services Manager Leda Garside encouraged bidders to "give from their hearts." They rose to the occasion with animated bidding which netted over $250,000 over the span of 4 hours at Portland's historic Governor Hotel and brought the event's total proceeds to $607,765.
Guest hosts Jesse Lange of Lange Estate Winery and Maria Ponzi of Ponzi Vineyards, costumed at one point as "Wine Country Royalty" successfully coaxed guests to bid generously on 29 exciting oral auction lots including 14 winemaker dinners, each with three winemakers from the "Vintner's Circle" (http://saludauction. org/salud-wineries. html) of featured ¡Salud! wineries. Other exciting lots included wine-centric vacations, a custom barrel of wine produced by Véronique Drouhin-Boss, a collection of 42 large format and rare bottles from participating Vintners and more.
The oral auction was introduced by singer Jorge Chavez, vineyard manager for Bergström Wines, with a stirring rendition of "Si He Sabido Amor" in honor of his co-workers. Ronni Lacroute, co-owner of WillaKenzie Estate was awarded the "Los Heroes de ¡Salud!" distinction for her role in the evolution and success of ¡Salud!, and for her vision, leadership and dedication in continuing to further the mission.
About ¡Salud!: Created by a group of Oregon winemakers and Tuality Healthcare (http://www. tualityfoundation. org/) physicians to address the health care hurdles faced by seasonal vineyard workers, this effective and far-reaching program is unique to Oregon. Workers who do not qualify for benefits due to the brevity of their employment with each winery or vineyard are given access to medical services and preventative health care under the guidance of medical professionals through education and advocacy.
2008 statistics (http://saludauction. org/salud-impact. html) include the following:
3,281 workers and family members were enrolled in the program, a 10% increase over 2007 937 wellness screenings were given at the worksite 2,601 dental procedures were performed 1,100 medical clinic visits were documented 19 mobile dental clinics were held, providing $73,991 in services for only $12,000
The 2010 Auction will be held November 12 and 13.
Vinters Circle Wineries:
Adelsheim Vineyard
Amalie Robert Estate
Antica Terra
ArborBrook Vineyards
Archery Summit
Argyle
Ayres Vineyard
Beaux Frères
Bergström Wines
Bethel Heights Vineyard
Chehalem
Cristom Vineyards
Dobbes Family Estate
Domaine Drouhin Oregon
Elk Cove Vineyards
Erath Winery
Evening Land Vineyards
Hamacher Wines
Ken Wright Cellars
King Estate Winery
Lange Estate Winery
Maysara Winery
Patricia Green Cellars
Patton Valley Vineyards
Penner-Ash Wine Cellars
Ponzi Vineyards
R. Stuart & Co
Raptor Ridge Winery
REX HILL
Scott Paul Wines
Shea Wine Cellars
Silvan Ridge
Sólena Estate
Soter Vineyards
St. Innocent Winery
Stoller Vineyards
Torii Mor
Westrey Wine Company
WillaKenzie Estate
Willamette Valley Vineyards
Winderlea Vineyard & Winery
Witness Tree Vineyard
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