How does the Wine Road pay it forward?

The Wine Road is more than an association of wineries and lodgings. It is also a socially minded organization that throughout the year gives back to the community.

Annual Cash Donations

Each year the Wine Road gives $1 from every ticket sold to the Redwood Empire Food Bank (REFB), plus additional donations given by event ticket holders. A few weeks ago, the Wine Road was able to give the REFB a check for $25,000!

The Wine Road's 2017 donation to the Redwood Empire Food Bank.

The Wine Road’s 2017 donation to the Redwood Empire Food Bank.

In 2017, three students whose parents or guardians are employed by a Wine Road member each received a scholarship for $2000. The Wine Road also donates to several local organizations like Corazon Healdsburg, Health Care Foundation of Northern Sonoma County, “A Place To Call Home” North Bay County Services, and Be Safe Community.

Other Donations

Each year dozens of local charities, like the American Cancer Society, Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Boy Scouts and local PTAs, hold fundraisers. The Wine Road’s supports charitable fundraising by donating event tickets, cookbook sets from the past Wine & Food Affairs, and a host of other items. In 2017, the Wine Road donated over $20,000 worth of tickets and items to local charities.

Giving Back to Our Heroes

The first responders who fought tirelessly during the October wildfires have been sent Wine Road event tickets and over 10,000 tasting passes. Our way of saying thank you to those who put their lives in peril, worked tirelessly, and gave their all to our community. We thank and salute and everyone of them.

Supporting Our Wine Road Families

During the wildfires, thousands of families in Sonoma County lost their homes and belongings. Among them were 60 people who work for Wine Road wineries or lodgings. The Wine Road is organizing an online auction to help raise money for these folks.

The auction will be online by January 8th and bidding will be open until February 8th, just in time for the winners to snag some great Valentines treats to share with someone special. The auction lots will include wines from Sonoma Magazine’s Top 100 Wines, a collection of magnums and other large format bottles, lodging offers, and much more. Please watch Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for the official launch, and I’ll be sure to mention it again in an upcoming blog as well.

Sign for Supporting our Wine Road Families affected by the fires.

Pay It Forward

As the year wraps up, take a moment to reflect on what you have, what you’ve shared, and what you might continue to share.

“We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” ― Winston S. Churchill

Happy Sipping!

#AlongTheWineRoad @TheWineRoad #PayItForward #GivingBack

Posted by Rebecca Germolus

Rebecca Germolus, co-owner of Maximum Value Marketing, loves Sonoma County and playing along the Wine Road. Rebecca daily immerses herself in wine country by providing cost-effective marketing and writing solutions to wineries and restaurants.

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