LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – After careful consideration, the Lake County Wine Alliance has decided to cancel this year's Wine Auction, which had been set for Saturday, Sept. 19, at Cache Creek Winery.

“Considering the gravity of the situation that we face in our community it seems only appropriate that we re-direct our efforts towards those who are suffering from this year's devastating fires,” said Alliance President Kaj Ahlmann.

In the coming days, the Wine Alliance Board will determine how best to proceed. Ideas under consideration include alternative events at an appropriate time and an online auction to insure that they will be able to provide an meaningful level of support to this year's beneficiaries and additional support to those who have suffered because of this year's fires. 

Those who wish to help in this effort are encouraged to donate through the Wine Alliance Web site, www.winealliance.org .

“With a 15-year history of raising money and distributing it to the community, the Lake County Wine Alliance is uniquely qualified to manage an aggressive fundraising effort of the kind we foresee,” said Alliance Board Marketing Director Bill Groody. “We know how to get money to the places where it will do the most good and that's what we intend to do.”

In addition to community-based fundraising, the Wine Alliance has been contacted by wineries, vineyard operators and others from outside the community who wish to use the alliance's structure to manage their donations. 

To administer these funds, the Wine Alliance has established a strategic partnership with the Lake County Winegrape Commission and the Lake County Winery Association. 

This project will support organizations with a proven track record of providing community assistance and may also provide support directly to individuals through it's own programs.

The Wine Alliance board is deeply grateful to this year's 17 corporate sponsors who are continuing their support to us and to the community through these difficult times.

This year's sponsors include Calpine, Sutter Lakeside Hospital, Beckstoffer Vineyards, Six Sigma Winery, St. Helena Hospital, Sysco Foods, artist John Clarke, Mendo-Lake Credit Union, Umpqua Bank, Cache Creek Winery, Boatique Winery, Kelseyville Pharmacy, Shannon Ridge Vineyards and Winery, C-Line Express Trucking, Savings Bank of Mendocino County and PG&E.

The Lake County Wine Alliance, is a 501c nonprofit dedicated to supporting the arts, health and community. 

The Wine Alliance is administered by a board of directors whose members are Kaj Ahlmann, Lower Lake, president; Judy Luchsinger, Lakeport,vice president; Sharron Zoller, Kelseyville, secretary; Rob Roumiguiere, Kelseyville, treasurer; and Marie Beery, Kelseyville, and Bill Groody, Kelseyville, directors.