There’s no denying that times are tough for the wine industry right now, with sales declining and some longtime tasting rooms shutting their doors. Last month, St. Helena’s Newton Vineyard and Calistoga’s Twomey closed, followed by family-owned Thumbprint Cellars in Healdsburg (the winery plans to move operations to its rural Geyserville headquarters).
On the positive side, wine remains a major draw for Sonoma and Napa county organizations working to do good and support charitable causes. So far, many local wineries continue to sponsor and take part in fundraising events that ultimately cost them money. Typically, they donate both the wines being poured and those up for auction, all in support of nonprofit organizations.
For wineries, sponsoring fundraising events elevates their brands, expands their reach to a wider audience and provides tax deductions.
For nonprofits, winery sponsorship can boost event participation and markedly increase profits while reducing costs.
Earlier this month, a 9-liter bottle (called a Salmanazar) of 2021 Markham Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon fetched a jaw-dropping $225,000 at the 2025 Champions Wine Auction and Dinner at the NRG Center in Houston, Texas. (Not bad for a bottle that retails for $49 in its 750 ml format!) The event benefited the Houston Rodeo Education Fund, which provides scholarships, grants and educational programs for Texas youth.
The St. Helena winery can now boast the winning bid came from a real estate development group that included recording artist Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson.
In addition to fundraising events supporting charitable causes, there are also a number of events throughout the year that directly support wine regions, wine growers and winemakers, including the upcoming Stags Leap District’s Vineyard to Vintner Weekend and the Winegrowers of Dry Creek Valley’s Passport to Dry Creek Valley festival (April 25-27).
Here are a couple of upcoming events where your ticket will support good causes or local wineries while offering entertainment, fine food and, of course, plenty of wine.
Fourth Annual V Foundation for Cancer Research Sonoma Epicurean, March 27-30
The four-day festival in Healdsburg features hands-on experiences with award-winning chefs, local artisans and world-class vintners. It’s so popular that the three-day all-inclusive passes have already sold out ($2,750), but tickets are still available for a few à la carte activities, including the hallmark Gala & Auction at the Montage Healdsburg luxury resort.
The evening offers a lavish, seven-course dinner from Montage executive chef Jason Pringle, showcasing dishes such as guinea hen with snap peas, Thumbelina carrots and sauce Blanquette alongside 2021 Lynmar Estate Sonoma Chardonnay, and Wagyu beef with fondant potato, fava and truffles paired with 2021 Knights Bridge Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.
Dozens of notable wineries have supplied 20 auction lots for the event, including Windsor’s Bricoleur Vineyards and Cirq, Healdsburg’s Aperture Cellars and Valette Wines, and Sonoma’s Three Sticks Wines. The lots include exclusive activities. The highest bidder on the Aperture lot, for example, will enjoy a vacation at Montage Los Cabos for a private dinner hosted by winery owner and winemaker Jesse Katz.
One of the most popular lots each year is the “Instant Cellar,” a collection of rare, high-end Sonoma County wines, including some that are only available to wine club members. This year, the haul includes 48 different bottles.
Last year, the gala raised $3.4 million for V Foundation for Cancer Research, with 100% of proceeds benefiting the cause. Since its founding in 1993, the nonprofit has funded nearly $400 million in cancer research grants nationwide.
Gala & Auction tickets are $1,500 and are available at sonomaepicurean.v.org.
Stags Leap District’s Vineyard to Vintner Weekend, April 25-27
The Stags Leap American Viticultural Area (AVA) is tiny — just three miles long and one mile wide, with less than two dozen wineries.
Famous for its Cabernet Sauvignon, the appellation includes boutique operations like Malk Family Vineyards, which produces only 800 cases each year, as well as well-known wineries like Baldacci Family Vineyards, Cliff Lede Vineyards, Shafer Vineyards, Stags’ Leap Winery and Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars. The two Stags are different operations, distinguished by the placement of the apostrophe; (the Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon won the 1976 Paris Tasting, also known as the “Judgement of Paris”).
To support its wine producers, the appellation has its own nonprofit — The Stags Leap District Winegrowers, an association of vintners and growers who work together to help protect the Napa Valley region, enhance its reputation and boost sales of its wines.
For the past two decades, the organization has hosted an annual fundraising weekend, anchored by the Savor Sunday event ($325), a tour of multiple wineries with special treats at each stop, like the popular poolside pizza party at the hilltop Lindstrom Wines.
For less driving around, the Saturday Taste of the Neighborhood event ($325) is a walking tour, tasting and luncheon in the Regusci Winery gardens that includes dozens of wines, live music and food from new top-notch Napa Valley restaurants Charlie’s, Stateline Road Smokehouse and Violetto.
Tickets are available at stagsleapdistrict.com/V2V.