FIRST-ANNUAL HOSPICES OF SONOMA BARREL AUCTION RAISED OVER $200,000 TODAY FOR CHILDREN IN LIFE-THREATENING CIRCUMSTANCES

Vintage Quality and Charity-Minded Bidders Drove Bids for Ultra-Premium Barrel Lots of 2003 Sonoma Coast, Russian River and Green Valley Pinot noir

(Sebastopol, CA, November 15, 2003) - The first annual Hospices of Sonoma charity barrel auction - featuring stellar half-barrel lots of 2003 Sonoma Coast, Russian River and Green Valley Pinot noirs from the regions’ elite producers - raised over $200,000 for Children in Life-Threatening Circumstances today. The auction, which was held at Goldridge Pinot in Sebastopol, included 25 lots which garnered more than $160,000. Ticket sales to the event accounted for the balance. “We are very grateful to the wineries and the bidders who supported us in this inaugural event,” said Brice Cutrer Jones, founder and president of Goldridge Pinot and a trustee of the WCCCF.  “Great wines and a good cause are a winning combination,” he said. Auction proceeds will go toward the construction of a house open to families of children hospitalized in Sonoma County.

Auction goers included a mix of trade and consumers, eager for a preview of the 2003 Pinot noir vintage from three of California’s most renowned appellations as well as the opportunity to support children in need. “This auction had a unique energy,” said “goddess of the gavel” auctioneer Ursula Hermacinski. “These were very serious wines from very serious producers.  And the collectors were here to get them while they supported a charity they all believe in,” she said. The top six lots, which ranged in value from $12,000 to $8,000, included (in descending order) Dutton-Goldfield, David Bruce, Gary Farrell, La Crema, Rutz, and Rochioli. The largest single bid was $11,000 for a collection of 24 magnums, one from each of the 24 participating wine producers. As a surprise benefit, one of the successful bidders won a pair of round trip business class tickets for two to Italy donated by Alitalia Airlines to support the auction.

The three-day inaugural Hospices of Sonoma festivities wrapped up, Sunday, November 16 in the gardens of Iron Horse Vineyards in Sebastopol with a Paulée - the traditional wine country luncheon celebrating the end of the wine harvest. In 2004, the three-day event runs Friday, November 12 through Sunday, November 14. Tickets are available through the WCCCF at (707) 829-2433.

Participating Wineries

Twenty-four renowned Pinot Noir producers participated in this year’s Hospices of Sonoma. Producers included:  David Bruce Winery, Dehlinger Winery, Dutton-Goldfield Winery, Flowers Vineyard & Winery, Foppiano Vineyards, Gary Farrell Wines, Hanna Winery, Hartford Family Winery, Iron Horse Vineyards, Keegan Cellars, La Crema, Landmark Vineyards, Merryvale Vineyards, Gallo of Sonoma, Patz & Hall, Pellegrini Family Winery, Rochioli, Rutz Cellars, Schug Carneros Estate, Sebastopol Vineyards, Seghesio Family Vineyards, Tandem Winery, Wild Hog Cellars, and Scherrer Winery.