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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
KELSEYVILLE, Calif. — Dozens of nonprofits received much-needed funds for their work, a benefit of the annual Lake County Wine Auction.
On Thursday evening, the Lake County Wine Alliance — which puts on the Wine Auction — handed out 43 checks totaling $170,000 to a wide range of nonprofit organizations and schools doing important work across the county.
“This is the culmination of a year’s worth of work,” Rob Roumiguiere, the Wine Alliance’s treasurer, said during the presentation ceremony, held in the tavern at Konocti Harbor Resort and Spa.
This year’s Wine Auction, held in September, also was held at Konocti Harbor, where it will be held again in 2026 — which will mark the event’s 25th year. Roumiguiere said they’ve been holding events two years in a row at the same locations.
This year’s distribution total was down from the $210,000 given in 2024 and $226,000 in 2023. The event record was the $300,000 raised and distributed in 2022.
“Things in the economy are a little stretched right now,” Roumiguiere said.
Roumiguiere explained that the many companies and organizations that sponsor the Wine Auction make it possible to give out as much money as they do.
One hundred percent of proceeds go to the event’s beneficiaries, selected from applications submitted during a three-month period ending at the start of May.
It’s an expensive event to put on, but well worth it, as it’s become one of the county’s biggest events, he said.
This year’s auction sold out six weeks ahead of time and was attended by an estimated 400 people, with Clearlake City Manager Alan Flora acting as the master of ceremonies and featuring Congressman Mike Thompson, a benefactor and presenter.
Over its 24 years, the Wine Auction has raised more than $3,273,000, Roumiguiere said.
Choosing who to give the money to isn’t an easy decision, he said, explaining the many applications they receive and the amount of need.
At the same time, they get to be part of the success of the groups they support. Roumiguiere said they’ve been told that their support has kept high school arts programs going.
More information about upcoming events and how to apply to be a beneficiary, visit the Wine Alliance website.
Beneficiaries for this year’s Wine Auction are as follows.
• Adopt a Fifth Grader
• Catholic Charities of Northwest California
• City of Clearlake Animal Association
• City of Clearlake Recreation Center
• Clear Lake High School Culinary Program
• First Lutheran Church Food Pantry
• Friends of the Lake County Library
• Health & Wellness Expo
• Highlands Senior Center
• Hope Center
• Jack’s Lavender Farm
• Kelseyville Food Pantry
• Kelseyville High School Culinary Program
• Kelseyville Senior Center
• Lake County Campus Culinary Program
• Lake County Literacy Coalition
• Lake County Sheriffs’ Activities League
• Lake County Young Life
• Lake County Family Resource Center
• Lake County Rural Arts Initiative
• Lakeport Senior Centers Meals on Wheels
• Live Oak Senior Center
• Lower Lake HS Culinary Program
• Middletown Composite Mountain Bike Team
• Middletown Senior Center
• Mother-Wise
• Northshore Fire Fund
• Operation Santa
• Operation Tango Mike
• People Services
• Proud to be in the Trades
• Second Wind Project
• Shop with a Cop Program
• Totes for Teens
• Vision of Hope Village
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- Written by: CRAIG NELSON
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Day two, or “Cut Day,” of the Bass Angler Magazine, or BAM, Super 60 Championship opened on Saturday with a prayer from the Tournament Director Michael Bray, the national anthem and a fog delay.
Bray and the owner of BAM, Mark Lassagne, decided to err on the side of caution and hold the field for two hours to ensure safe boating conditions.
Tournament directors have a tough job and making that call commands respect for the anglers safety and the sport of fishing.
With the smell of two stroke oil exhaust in the air and the purr of four stroke motors the professional field of anglers patiently waited for the low fog to lift.
After the eight hour day of fishing was shortened to six, Cut Day was complete and the top 10 anglers’ weights were zeroed for the final day of competition.
On Sunday morning, the championship is up for grabs and the angler who manages their fish and location the best will reign victorious.
The top 10 anglers competing for the Bass Cat prize package worth $70,000 are in order below:
• Mason McAbee from Bakersfield, California;
• Luke Johns from Folsom, California;
• Colby Pearson from Rogue River, Oregon;
• Bryant Smith from Roseville, California;
• Austin Bonjour from Templeton, California;
• Robert Riehl from Stockton, California;
• Randy McAbee from Bakersfield, California;
• Sean Minderman from Spokane, Washington;
• Ty Manterola from Pasco, Washington;
• Tyler Madden, Brentwood, California.
Craig Nelson is a former professional golfer who fell in love with tournament bass fishing 20 years ago. He found Lake County after fishing an FLW Stren Series event and never left. He’s the back-to-back winner of the Konocti Classic and runner up in the inaugural WON Bass Clear Lake Open.
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