MULTI-WINERY PROJECT TO BENEFIT OTHERS
A project combining the talents of local winemakers and local artists, all for a good cause, celebrated the launch of a new kind of valley wine this month.
Called Vino de Sueños, Spanish for “Wine of Dreams,” the wine brand is a benefit in a bottle, a way for people to help a local nonprofit human services organization — Solvang’s People Helping People — by enjoying good wine.
“The Vino de Sueños wines will be sold to raise funds to give workers and their families the assistance they need during difficult economic times,” said Dean Palius, president of People Helping People.
Money raised will be used for things such as food, rent, utilities, counseling, afterschool programs, parent education and scholarships.
The wine labels are the work of a cadre of talented local artists.
Carina Puente,
Ariane Aumont, Darby Holden, Christina Locascio, Lily Nathan, Rise Ochsner and Seyburn Zorthian donated their time and talent to make the label art. Graphic artist Kros Andrade also volunteered his time.
Inside the bottles is a different sort of art, which is wine donated by winemakers from Alma Rosa, Buttonwood, Clos Pepé, Feliz Noché, Foxen, Longoria and Presidio.
The project was sponsored by local companies and groups that support the wine industry, including the Santa Barbara County Vintners’ Association, Coastal Vineyard Care Associates, General Paving Management, Terravant and Compli.
Ben Merz, a principal at Coastal Vineyard Care, said the association was a logical one for his company.
“We employ more vineyard workers than any other company in the Santa Ynez and Lompoc valleys,” he said. “We felt that People Helping People was a great local organization and that (its) desire to help vineyard and farm workers who might be in need was worthy of our support.”
Varietals in the inaugural release include Pinot Gris, Rose of Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Range 30 West, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Bottles will sell for $18 for rosé and whites and $25 for reds.
“This group wanted to make a difference in the lives of vineyard and farm workers who are at the very heart of the county’s agricultural economy, and more specifically, the vineyard and wine businesses,” Palius said.
A release event and product launch, which included an art auction, was held Nov. 1. People Helping People cannot sell the wine at retail locations because it has not yet received an event license, Palius said, but it may host an event later where wine can be sold, if it doesn’t sell out at its launch.
People Helping People is perhaps best known for its efforts to help those in need around the holidays.
At Thanksgiving, the group usually distributes turkeys and side dishes to 150 low-income families and seniors. But this year, because of the challenging economy, that number will more likely be between 175 and 200 people.
“This is indicative of the national financial troubles hitting home here in the Santa Ynez Valley,” Palius said. “People’s hours have been reduced or they have been laid off. Seniors on fixed incomes have been hurt by rising food costs.”
At Christmas, the Fulfill-A-Wish program targets families with children to help make the holiday a happy one. Around $20,000 in clothing and gifts are typically distributed, and 100 families with 330 children were reached last year, according to the organization.
Community members who want to help can bring turkeys and hams for Thanksgiving to People Helping People, located at 545 N. Alisal Road in Solvang. Holiday gift donations also can be made there. Soon, donation boxes for holiday items will pop up and local schools and churches.
Donations also can be arranged by calling (805) 686-0295