Over the millennia, wine has fueled countless fancies and big adventures, some noble and others just plain crazy. Among the more recent and distinctly noble of these enterprises, Vino de Sueños (“wine of dreams”) aims to fulfill the needs of the region’s hardworking vineyard and farm laborers.
Conceived under the auspices of People Helping People (PHP), a nonprofit organization that helps disadvantaged families and individuals in the Santa Ynez and Los Alamos Valleys, Vino de Sueños describes a neighborly effort, as well as a series of wines and the annual event celebrating their release. All money raised through these wine and ticket sales helps fund basic needs and family support services for local vineyard and farm workers and their families.
The second annual Vino de Sueños release party, slated for Nov. 7, introduces 12 different vintages, all bottled and labeled especially for the program. Premium offerings from 12 of the Santa Ynez Valley’s top producers range from spicy Pinot Gris to rich Merlot to silky Late Harvest Riesling.
“I’m even more excited than last year,” said Dean Paulis, CEO of PHP. “Over the year, we’ve encouraged the wine industry to support our organization, which helps a lot of the vineyard and farm workers here. That support has finally come together, partly because of the success of the first Vino de Sueños.
“We’ve added eight new winemakers,” he continued, “and there’s a real synergy here. It’s not just with the winemakers, but also the wine labels, which are produced from original artworks.”
Paulis explained that renowned sculptor Suzi Trubitz, who wanted to design a label for the program, enlisted friend Kathy Brown, co-owner of Kalyra Winery, to contribute a wine.
“There’s even a synergy between the winemakers and the artists!” Paulis said. “I was proud of the labels last year, and the winemakers were happy with them, too, but I think the labels are even more beautiful this year.”
Other artists who have donated their work to the cause include Christina Locascio (who sometimes paints with wine), local photographer Jose Villa, Ariane Aumont, Darby Holden, and Seyburn Zorthian, noted for her spare, explosive style. Karina Puente created the image of a mysterious, meditative woman, called “Dreamer,” that continues to serve as the Vino de Sueños logo on each label.
[image-2] Kros Andrade, who owns UVA Design Studios, in Buellton, translated the art into eye-catching labels.
“I was 14 when I immigrated to this country with my parents,” Andrade wrote in a press release. “I know what it is like for a family to be given a chance at a dream and work extremely hard to achieve it for their children and children’s children.”
All 12 pieces of original art will be available for sale at the event’s silent auction, which also features four bottles hand-painted by four of the artists.
The wines this year include Longoria Wines 2007 Syrah, Santa Barbara County Cuvee; Alma Rosa Winery 2008 Pinot
Gris; Buttonwood Farm Winery 2008 Sauvignon Blanc; and Foxen Vineyard 2007 Grenache/Syrah Blend. All four of these producers participated in last year’s event and are founding members of the Vino de Sueños program.
New members of the Vino de Sueños family include Kalyra Winery (2005 Late Harvest Riesling), Makor (2007 Bien Nacido Merlot), Au Bon Climat (2005 Petit Verdot), Cold Heaven (2005 Syrah), Hitching Post (2007 Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir), D’Alfonso-Curran (2006 Rancho Santa Rosa Chardonnay), Fiddlehead Cellars (2005 Seven Twenty Eight Pinot Noir), and Vogelzang Vineyard (2008 Sauvignon Blanc).
Along with generous samples of wine and the opportunity to purchase more ($13 to $38 per bottle, depending upon varietal and vintage), guests at Vino de Sueños will enjoy the lively music of guitarist Derroy, as well as a lavish spread of treats prepared by Chef Jeff and Janet Olsson, proprietors of New West Catering.
“Jeff is an artist, too,” Paulis said. “They’re premier caterers and they donate everything for this. There’ll be hot and cold hors d’oeuvres—some we’ll pass around—and two different food tables. It’s really first class.”
The brainchild of a handful of local winemakers, Vino de Sueños helps to fund a variety of services to local vineyard and farm workers. These include food, emergency rent and utility assistance, medical and dental care, counseling, after-school programs, and college scholarships, helping to keep body and soul together as they pursue the dreams they hold for themselves and their families.
“I’ve heard many people say they’ve decided to return to their own backyard to provide support,” Paulis said, “rather than reaching out nationally or overseas. And that’s helped us, because we’re a very local cause.”
K. Reka Badger is prepared to reach into her pocket and reach out her wine glass for this event. E-mail comments or ideas to rekabadger@hotmail.com.
This article appears in Oct 29 – Nov 4, 2009.