¡Salud! The Oregon Pinot Noir Auction
Raises Over $607,000

Vintners and guests’ generosity will fund 2010 outreach

Hillsboro, Ore: November 25, 2009 >> In its 18th year, ¡Salud!, The Oregon Pinot Noir Auction topped $607,700 in proceeds over the course of the 2-day event on November 13 and 14. Spurred by Friday’s 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 and silent auction lots, 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 Thanks, 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 masse showing of the vintage 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” 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 physicians to address the healthcare 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 healthcare under the guidance of medical professionals through education and advocacy.

2008 statistics include the following:

2010: The 2010 Auction will take place on November 12 and 13.

Vinters Circle Wineries:

Adelsheim Vineyard

Maysara Winery

Amalie Robert Estate  

Patricia Green Cellars

Antica Terra

Patton Valley Vineyards

ArborBrook Vineyards  

Penner-Ash Wine Cellars

Archery Summit

Ponzi Vineyards

Argyle

R. Stuart & Co

Ayres Vineyard

Raptor Ridge Winery

Beaux Frères 

REX HILL

Bergström Wines     

Scott Paul Wines

Bethel Heights Vineyard 

Shea Wine Cellars

Chehalem

Silvan Ridge

Cristom Vineyards 

Sólena Estate

Dobbes Family Estate

Soter Vineyards

Domaine Drouhin Oregon 

St. Innocent Winery

Elk Cove Vineyards

Stoller Vineyards

Erath Winery        

Torii Mor

Evening Land Vineyards

Westrey Wine Company

Hamacher Wines

WillaKenzie Estate

Ken Wright Cellars 

Willamette Valley Vineyards

King Estate Winery  

Winderlea Vineyard & Winery

Lange Estate Winery

Witness Tree Vineyard

Contacts:
Sheila Nicholas
Nicholas Communications
Tel: 503-537-9150
Email: Sheila@nicholascommunications.com
winequeen@msn.com

Maria McCandless
Tuality Healthcare Foundation
Tel: 503-681-1564
Email: maria.mccandless@tuality.org