story published in the Santa Barbara News-Press on 2/1/18
Direct Relief often flies under the radar. Its nonprofit, nongovernmental and nonsectarian outreach efforts – delivering critical medical supplies to areas around the world stricken by emergencies or poverty – aren’t always front page news. But their impact is indisputable: last year, Forbes ranked Direct Relief among the top 10 charities in the U.S.
The
Goleta-based group’s local efforts recently become evident, too, as it jumped
into action without hesitation during the Thomas Fire and the deadly floods and
mudflows that followed. It mobilized staff on the ground to aid first
responders. And it distributed 90,000 breathing masks and spearheaded medical
response for hundreds of displaced residents in conjunction with the Santa
Barbara County Public Health and Emergency Services Departments.
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| Bidding at the 2016 Santa Barbara Wine Auction (credit: Isaac Art) |
The good
work of Direct Relief is something that the Santa Barbara Vintners Foundation
has lauded for a long time. It’s why the charitable umbrella of Santa Barbara
Vintners, which represents more than 100 local wineries and vineyards, puts on
one of the area’s most lavish wine events in Direct Relief’s honor.
Since 2000,
the Santa Barbara Wine Auction has raised more than $4.5 million. With Direct
Relief’s legendary knack for leveraging its relationships within the medical
and transportation industries – every dollar donated translates to $30 in
medicines and services distributed worldwide – that’s philanthropy to the tune
of $135-plus million! “Do the math!” vintner Frank Ostini told me once; he’s
helped produce the auction since its inception. “It just makes us feel good.”
The next
Santa Barbara Wine Auction takes place Saturday, February
17th at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara Resort. The elegant evening will be
emceed by celeb TV host Chris Harrison (of The Bachelor franchise fame) and
feature live entertainment by the Bryan Titus Trio. Pioneer Santa Barbara
winemaker Fred Brander will be given the Vintner of the Year award.
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| Santa Barbara vintner Andrew Firestone, me & The Bachelor host Chris Harrison at the 2014 Santa Barbara Wine Auction |
Each dinner
table will be hosted by two local winemakers who will pour hand-selected wines
throughout the gourmet four-course meal. Bacara’s new executive chef, Umit
Kaygusuz, will host Guest Chef John Cox, who’s quickly created culinary buzz as
executive chef at the Parker family’s new Bear and Star restaurant in Los
Olivos. The auction menu will reflect Mr. Cox’s knack for refined ranch cuisine
driven by a micro-regional focus.
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| Mingling at the 2016 Santa Barbara Wine Auction (credit: Isaac Art) |
The 2018
Santa Barbara Wine Auction will feature both silent and live auctions, with an
emphasis on exclusive lifestyle and culinary lots. Among them: “Blend Your Own
Barrel,” a custom blend-and bottle experience for four hosted by Brander And
Beckmen vineyards and including two nights at ForFriends Inn in Santa Ynez and
dinner at Buellton’s Hitching Post II Restaurant; a one-week stay for six in a
three-bedroom villa at the Four Seasons Peninsula Papagayo Resort in Costa
Rica; a Private Luxury Suite for 12 at crooner Sam Smith’s August 28th
concert at L.A.’s Staples Center, complete with food and beverage; two nights
for two couples at Ritz-Carlton Bacara’s Penthouse Suite, along with two
couples’ massages and dinner at Angel Oak restaurant; and “Wild Wild West,” a
luxury cowboy campout for 12 at Alisal Guest Ranch in Solvang, with horseback
rides and BBQ dinner and wine pairing.
The Santa
Barbara Vintners’ Diamond Anniversary Collection lot, a secret wine lover’s
once-in-a-lifetime offering comprised of donations from the entire Santa
Barbara Vintners membership, will be revealed live at the event.
For
information on table sponsorships, contact event manager Jen Jones via email at
jjones@directrelief.org and check
out sbwineauction.org.
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