Winemakers from the Petaluma Gap American Viticultural Area (AVA) fared well at the fifth annual Sonoma County Barrel Auction on Friday, May 3, raising more than $65,000 from eleven auction lots of “Never Before, Never Again” wine, each crafted from grapes grown in the Petaluma Gap.
Two of the lots were collaborative efforts, dubbed “The Battle of the Sexes.” The men’s lot, comprised of Pinot Noir from Cline Family Cellars, Fogline Vineyards, Rodney Strong Vineyards, and Thirty-Seven Wines, brought in $8,000 while the women’s lot, devised of Pinot Noir from Bruliam Wines, Keller Estate and Trombetta Family Wines, bested the men with a winning bid of $9,000.
Ted and Karen Davison, owners of a recreational boating service in Panama City Beach, Florida, purchased the women’s lot to raise money at exclusive events on board their tour boats. Unique experiences, such as swimming with the dolphins or snorkeling the grass flats, are followed by on-board wine tastings; 100% of the money raised will be donated to Mercy Multiplied, a charitable organization that helps young women break free of life-threatening situations.
Erica Stancliff, winemaker for Trombetta Family Wines, enthused, “We are thrilled that our auction lot was purchased again by the Davisons; this is the second year that they cast the winning bid. Only about 10% of winemakers are women and we are excited to be a part of the Davison’s plan to help these young women in dire need of support.” Residents at Mercy Multiplied facilities include victims of sex abuse and trafficking, addiction, depression and eating disorders.
The Davisons choose unique wines that they think their guests will enjoy. “In the Gap, the grapes are grown under windy, harsh conditions but result in the most elegant wines that are the soul of Sonoma County. We think it is a good match to use them for fundraising to help these young women break free of their own extreme living conditions,” said Karen Davison.
Ted Davison added, “Jesslyn Jackson from Sonoma County Vintners introduced us to the Barrel Auction a few years ago, and now we try to come to Sonoma several times a year. The wines just keep getting better, and the hospitality is from the heart.” The Davisons also support additional charities with wines purchased at the Barrel Auction, including Child Bridge, Global Effect and Special Operations Warrior Foundation.
It was a treat to have met Ted and Karen informally at an intimate invitation-only Barrel Auction preview dinner for members of the wine trade and media at beautiful MacRostie Winery and Vineyards in the Russian River a couple of days before the big auction, courtesy of Michael Carpenter's Sonoma-County based The Redd Collection.
The couple was super down-to-earth and delighted to be back in Sonoma County. We spoke of the Petaluma Gap and of how supportive Ted and Karen are to the annual Women's Lot, women winemakers and winery owners in general and especially the good that their bid does in providing vital services to women in need.
Also, note the newly revamped Petaluma Gap logo. Great looks, great work from our local winegrowers and makers!
