Community spirit runs deep among Santa Barbara County winemakers, a convivial bunch of science-minded artists who universally appreciate their lucky lifestyle. When asked, they rarely hesitate to lend a helping hand, whether the request involves equipment loans, technical advice, or donations to a worthy cause.
This year, seven area winemakers have joined People Helping People, a nonprofit organization serving the Santa Ynez and Los Alamos valleys, to host a gala fundraiser for those who labor at the heart of our agricultural economy: farm and vineyard workers. By selling tickets to a party, complete with hors d’oeuvres, music, and an art auction, they hope to help workers pay for food, emergency rent, medical bills, and utilities, as well as to provide them with support services, such as family counseling, after-school programs, and scholarships.
At the heart of the event, slated for Nov. 1, lies Vino de Sue“os (Spanish for “wine of dreams”), a collaborative effort that yielded 12 wines bottled especially for the party, also described as a release celebration. Chosen from a list of about 30 possibilities, the name Vino de Sue“os embraces a collective desire to help fund the everyday dreams of the hard-working folks who tend the vineyards and pick the grapes.
Participating wineries include Alma Rosa Winery, Buttonwood Farm Winery, Clos Pepe; Vineyards, Feliz Noche;, Foxen Vineyard, Longoria Wines, and Presidio Vineyard. Each has donated a wine—from white to rose; to deep, dark Syrah—with Feliz Noche;, owned and operated by vineyard manager Felipe Hernandez, contributing five.
A reproduction of an original work of art, created and donated by local painters and photographers, graces each bottle, thanks to the efforts of Buellton artist Karina Puente, who also designed the Vino de Sue“os logo that appears in the center of each label.
According to winemaker Rick Longoria of Longoria Wines, “We are extremely pleased that when popular local artist Karina Puente heard about our plans for a fundraiser to help vineyard and farm workers, she immediately decided to help.
“The result,” he added, “is a series of wonderful wines with extraordinary labels that just jump off the bottle.”
For the Longoria 2006 Syrah, Puente painted a luminous, dreaming girl, while Christine Locascio rendered grapevines in her trademark medium of wine on paper for Alma Rosa’s 2007 Pinot Gris. Ariane Aumont photographed a quirky wine-bottle tree for the 2007 Clos Pepe Estate Rose; of Pinot Noir, Darby Holden did a pencil sketch of two cupped hands for Foxen Vineyard’s 2005 Range 30 West (a Cabernet Franc), and Buttonwood’s co-owner, Seyburn Zorthian, created one of her signature splashes of color for the Buttonwood Farm Winery 2007 Sauvignon Blanc.
Kros Andrade, a graphic artist based in Buellton, donated his skills to translate the winemakers’ ideas and the original art into attractive labels that would establish brand identity for Vino de Sue“os.
“I couldn’t resist the challenge to create the labels and assist this charity,” Kros said. “I was 14 when I immigrated to this country with my parents, and I know what it’s like for a family to work extremely hard to just make ends meet.”
The release celebration takes place at the Santa Ynez Valley Marriott in Buellton, and offers a chance to sip the wares of some of the area’s best winemakers, while helping deserving local families. Appetizers, prepared by wine country chefs at New West Catering, will help fuel guests as they visit with friends and browse auction lots that include wines and some of the original label art.
Jamaican-born Owen Plant, an acoustic troubadour who fronts the Santa Barbara-based Sunshine Brothers, provides vocals and stringed accompaniment to keep the proceedings lively, as guests sip wine, nibble, and bid. Bottles of the wines (125 cases worth) will also be available for sale, at prices ranging from $18 to $45, depending on varietal and vintage.
People Helping People assists low-income residents in Santa Barbara County, and money raised at the Vino de Sue“os release celebration will go directly to fill basic needs and support services for vineyard and farm workers and their families. Dean Palius, CEO of People Helping People, noted that this event is the first of its kind in the Santa Ynez Valley, and offers the perfect opportunity to have some fun over food and wine, while doing a good turn for the hard-working core of our agricultural industry.
INFOBOX: In your dreams
The Vino de Suenos fundraiser/release celebration is slated for Nov. 1, 3 to 6 p.m., at the Santa Ynez Valley Marriott, 555 McMurray Road, Buellton. Tickets (available in advance or at the door) are $50. For tickets and more information, visit www.vinodesuenos.com or syvphp.org, or call People Helping People at 686-0295.
K. Reka Badger is a hard worker who likes to dream. E-mail comments or ideas to rekabadger @hotmail.com.
This article appears in Oct 23-30, 2008.