Chesapeake Bay Wine Classic Foundation Raises $2.3 Million for Aspiring Students

The Chesapeake Bay Wine Classic Foundation (CBWCF)’s Grand Auction, held Nov. 6, raised $2.3 million for the Access College Foundation, which helps increase college admission for underrepresented and low-income students.

“This was the best year for the CBWCF, raising about $1 million more than we did in 2019,” said Foundation executive director Jennie Capps. “Folks were ready to get out and come together for our great event, raise money for educational charities and help the community.”

The organization’s 30th annual live auction in Virginia Beach, Va., welcomed 800 guests. Live bids totaled $1.23 million. The top lot of the night was a 20-person wine dinner at Napa Valley’s Sloan Estate, which sold for $62,000. Another lot comprising 34 bottles donated by the CBWCF board, and included high-end producers such as Colgin, Diamond Creek, Caymus, Opus One, Dominus Estate, Château Margaux, Sine Qua Non and more. It sold for $52,000. Other lots included three bottles of Screaming Eagle ($24,000), 11 bottles of Colgin Cellars ($16,000) and 12 bottles of Bond ($12,000).

“I have been in my position with the CBWCF since 2006 and it seems like the momentum keeps building,” Capps said. “We get better and better each year.”

¡Salud! The Oregon Pinot Noir Auction Raises $850,000

On the West Coast, ¡Salud! The Oregon Pinot Noir Auction celebrated its 30th anniversary with a live auction Nov. 13, raising $850,000 to support vineyard worker health care. ¡Salud! partnered with the OHSU Health Hillsboro Medical Center to provide affordable mobile health care in nine counties throughout Willamette Valley.

“Multiple generations of Oregon vineyard workers and their families have been touched by this unique health-care program,” said ¡Salud! manager of philanthropy Stephanie Buchanan. “During the COVID-19 pandemic, ¡Salud! played a direct role in keeping this community of workers safe and educated, providing screenings, treatment, referrals and spearheading an ambitious vaccination campaign which administered over 1,000 doses.”

A health-care worker from a mobile wellness clinic speaks with a vineyard worker in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. The clinic was partly funded by ¡Salud! The Oregon Pinot Noir Auction. (Kathryn Elsesser)

This year’s hybrid event included a live auction that hosted 90 in-person guests at the Allison Inn in Newberg, Ore., and over 400 guests watching remotely. Top lots included a trip to France for four guests hosted by Bollinger and Ponzi, which sold for $45,000.

A tasting experience with Beaux Frères’ Michael Etzel and overnight stay at Newberg Log Home sold for $10,250, while a collection of 30 large-format Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays from Adelsheim, Bethel Heights, Cristom, Domaine Serene, Penner-Ash and others sold for $8,400.

Another highlight of the night was Nancy Ponzi of Ponzi Vineyards being awarded the “Los Héroes de ¡Salud!” to honor her contributions to the auction as a founding member.

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