Sonoma-Cutrer® and Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area Team Up Once Again to Raise Record-setting $936,000 at Wishes in Wine Country Event

LOUISVILLE, Ky., May 21, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Sonoma-Cutrer Vineyards and Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area are pleased to announce that the annual Wishes in Wine Country event collectively raised more than $936,000 to benefit children suffering from life-threatening illnesses. The event, which curates the best food and wine produced in Sonoma County, hosted 800 guests on the croquet lawns of Sonoma-Cutrer Vineyards on May 16, 2015 as part of the ongoing partnership. This year, fundraising efforts were able to support a total of 24 wishes to children of the Greater Bay Area.

More than 40 wineries and restaurants contributed to the success of the event at the annual Grand Tasting and Sunset Dinner. The Grand Tasting offered guests the opportunity to sample some of the best bites and sips the surrounding area has to offer, while enjoying a view of the hillside vineyards. Following the Grand Tasting was the Sunset Dinner and live auction, where guests enjoyed a three-course dinner featuring locally sourced food and wine pairings from Sonoma-Cutrer on the winery terrace.

"There is no better honor for us at Sonoma-Cutrer than to be able to host the Wishes in Wine Country event for such a great cause," said Tracy Thornsberry, Sonoma-Cutrer brand manager. "Make-A-Wish is making such a difference for amazing and inspiring children and to get the change to be a part of it is so special to us."

The purpose of Wishes in Wine Country hit home with guests when they were introduced to Lola Wiley, an 8-year-old from Crescent City who suffers from lymphoid leukemia, and who recently came back from her wish to visit Disneyland. Her father Tim Wiley spoke to the sold-out crowd, emphasizing how much the wish has helped Lola get through her treatments and what it has meant to their family. He thanked the crowd for the part they played in giving his daughter something to fight for.

Following Lola's introduction, guests were able to make donations to benefit other children of the Greater Bay area and bid on a variety of extraordinary trips and wine themed items and experiences during the live auction. The biggest lot, Adopt-A-Wish^®, allowed guests to donate to other children's wishes and brought in $184,000 in donations, to help grant a total of 24 wishes.  

"This is one of my favorite events all year. We have so many loyal donors who join us each May at Sonoma-Cutrer to help raise money for wishes," said Patricia Wilson, Executive Director Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area.  "But the reason for our event remains the same—hundreds of children in our home towns face life-threatening medical conditions that forever change their lives, and the lives of their families. So I was moved to tears when a saw the sea of paddles go up during our Adopt-A-Wish lot, which goes entirely to granting more wishes."

About Make-A-Wish^® Greater Bay Area:
Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.  In 2015 Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area celebrates 31 years fulfilling magical wishes.  During its first year of operation, in 1984, the chapter granted 27 wishes.  Now one of the largest chapters nationwide, the Greater Bay Area grants over 300 wishes per year and has granted over 6,800 wishes to date.  The chapter covers 17 Northern California counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Napa, Marin, Monterey, San Benito, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, Siskiyou, Solano and Sonoma.  The goal of Make-A-Wish is to grant a wish to every eligible child in its territory.  Anyone can suggest a child for a wish. For more information or to refer a child for a wish, please call 415/982-9474 or visit www.SF.Wish.org

Sonoma-Cutrer is one of the fine wines produced and marketed by the Brown-Forman Corporation. For more than 141 years, Brown-Forman has enriched the experience of life by responsibly building fine quality beverage alcohol brands.  The company's brands are supported by nearly 4,000 employees and sold in approximately 160 countries worldwide.  For more information about the company, visit www.brown-forman.com. Please enjoy our wines responsibly.

© 2015 Sonoma-Cutrer Vineyards, Windsor, Sonoma County, California

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SOURCE Sonoma-Cutrer Vineyards