Classic Wines Fall Winemaker Dinners

Portland, November 1st – 3rd. The Classic Wines Auction Fall Winemaker Dinners offered one-of-a-kind meals, along with the rare opportunity to dine with esteemed winemakers while supporting four charities. At Andina, Heather Martin, Executive Director of Classic Wines Auction joins Chef Hank Costello, Elk Cove Vineyards’ winemaker Adam Campbell and Apolloni Vineyards’ winemaker Alfredo Apolloni. (Photos by Andie Petkus.)

Over three evenings, 19 winemakers paired celebrated wines with gourmet cuisine at 13 restaurants to raise money for local charities.

The Classic Wines Auction supports the good work of Oregon non-profit organizations by providing funds to pre-selected entities benefiting children and families. The Classic Wines Auction partners with organizations with the following characteristics: mission compatibility, effective organizational management, sound financial practices, Board-led fundraising, sustainability, and a solid volunteer network. The 2011 Classic Wines Auction last spring raised more than $2.2 million. Over the last 27 years, it has raised over $26 million for local charities.

The big main event dinner auction will be held Saturday, March 3, 2012 at the Oregon Convention Center.

This year’s charity beneficiaries are:

Metropolitan Family Service

Metropolitan Family Service has been building stronger communities for 60 years by providing vital services, connecting people with resources, and offering volunteer opportunities throughout the Portland/Vancouver region. Metropolitan Family Service helps individuals and families in their struggle to overcome barriers to success. They work to help children learn and grow through after school programs and mentoring; strengthen families through parent education and family involvement in schools; and support older adults to help them live independently by offering vital services. Their staff and skilled volunteers provide services to more than 37,000 children, families, and older adults each year.

New Avenues for Youth

New Avenues for Youth has served Portland’s homeless and at-risk youth since 1997, providing a continuum of programs and services designed to help them exit street life.  Each year, New Avenues serves hundreds of youth by providing basic human needs, clinical counseling, transitional housing, education and career training. New Avenues offers every opportunity for youth to succeed and excel. This continuum of care meets youth where they are and encourages positive development. By offering a path of hope and possibilities, their programs have helped thousands of youth become self-sufficient adults.

Friends of the Children – Portland

Friends of the Children provides our community’s most vulnerable children with full-time, paid, professionally trained mentors (called Friends) to ensure that each child has a positive, consistent and supportive adult in his or her life.  Friends of the Children begins working with children in Kindergarten and continues to support them for 12-1/2 years, through their high school graduation date.  Friends of the Children helps the most vulnerable children in our community develop the resiliency and life skills necessary to become successful and break the cycle of poverty.

ywca clark county

ywca clark county’s mission is to eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. ywca clark county serves more than 11,000 people each year who are victims of domestic violence, homelessness, sexual assault, child abuse and neglect, and oppression, as well as youth in foster care and incarcerated women. Their seven programs provide the tools and support to build self-esteem, foster positive life choices, and change lives. The ywca celebrates diversity, respects differences, and recognizes the dignity of each individual. They cooperate as a team to achieve a shared vision, believe and live their mission, and serve as leaders in providing quality and innovative service in a caring, compassionate environment.