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The University of Washington Foster School of Business had their annual Challenge for Charity Auction this past weekend at the Chateau Ste Michelle winery. The auction raised net proceeds over $100,000 for the Boys and Girls Club of King County and the Special Olympics of Washington. What’s even more exciting is that the Foster School of Business has now contributed over $1,000,000 to our amazing charities.

As WineGirl, it has always been my dream to lead my passion in way a that gives back to my community. As owner of WineGirl Wines, I can now proudly say that I have been able to realize this dream. In January of 2009, WineGirl Wines donated a case of 2007 Red Mountain Firá Merlot to the C4C Auction, which was followed by our August of 2009 Release Party sponsorship of The Treehouse for foster children. Then a donation to the Wine for Haiti Fundraiser followed by this year’s donation to Challenge for Charity of 2007 Wahluke Slope My Derby Wife Merlot made it our third and fourth official donations to build community.

This is small in comparison to the amazing ways others have given back to our community, but it is a committed start to a lifelong dream. It would be such a blessing if I could continue to help, so that the children of these charities may lead their passions and realize their dreams. Thanks to all of you for helping make this dream come true for me and helping to grow this small act of charity with WineGirl Wines!

Ciao,

WineGirl

In a moment of recent inspiration about the ephemeral nature of life, I set out to find a label of the month for a cause. The most natural theme for a cause was cancer. I started on a search there and in light of the celebrations of love for the romantic holiday month of February, I’ll also begin with something pink.

I do not believe pink ribbon wines are still available as these were created for an October 30, 2008 Toast for the Cure event. I know The Cure has become a hugely controversial source of fundraising aimed to support breast cancer research, but who could ever really deny, the enormity and amazing unification of people from around the world that this movement has created?

I’m going to assume these wine labels were created in an honest and truly philanthropic endeavor, but a small, tiny, itsy-bitsy part of me always wonders what incentives the designers or wine producers are getting out of it, hitching a ride on this press? None-the-less, and since it really seems that there aren’t too many wine labels out there directed at a cause, we’ll continue with another series of labels featuring breast cancer survivors.

Cleavage Creek has intrigued the wine community with buxom cancer surviving babes upon its wine labels. Although early renditions of the Cleavage Creek labels won awards for worst labels ever, all is forgiven when you read the story about the man behind the idea. As quoted from the Cleavage Creek Cellars website:

Budge Brown, successful self-made businessman and farmer, enjoyed 48 years of marriage with his wife Arlene. When she lost her battle with breast cancer in 2005, he was devastated. Devastation turned to anger. Anger lead to action. Budge Brown is mad as hell at breast cancer, and he’s determined to do whatever he can to help find a cure for it.

I’m glad Budge Brown has a story. I’m glad his name is Budge. Below are some labels.

Women of Cleavage Creek

Learn more about the Women of Cleavage Creek.

I will forgive CCC for using the word cleavage on their wine. I will forgive the earlier images on the labels. You’ll have to find them yourself.

-WineGirl

PS: This Label of the Month is dedicated to Janet, my grandmother, who is battling complications of cancer as we speak. Although, it’s not breast cancer, please keep her in your prayers and thoughts.

As the New Year set in, tragedy hit home to millions on a little island in the Caribbean sea. We here in Seattle are well-known for our brilliance, lets say. Perhaps it’s the doldrum grey winter weather igniting the brain bulbs, but alas I can confidently say that most flashes of brilliance hitch a ride on the tie-die conveyor belt and are lost to the ether.

However, just the other day my good friend Garren’s bulb flashed and has burned brightly for over a week as he hit the pavement running on a wild hair. He set out on a mission to help those less fortunate in Haiti, by directing an ad-hoc silent auction of beautiful Pacific Northwest wines and among other delectable pleasures worthy of bidding for such a fantastic cause.

My advice with a grain of salt: Get out there and do something yourself or support Garren’s charismatic efforts!

This Saturday at the Vineyard Table in Seattle. Suggested donation $25, first 50 get a free bottle of wine. Browse the silent auction collection, of which we donated 6 bottles of wine, two My Derby Wife bottles of Merlot signed by yours truly Killer Bee-otch #36 of the Rat City Rollergirls included.

Facebook Event Wine For Haiti Fundraiser

Twitter Hash Tag #wineforhaiti

Wine for Haiti Beneficiaries:

• 45% Wyclef Jean’s (a native Haitian) YELE foundation: http://yele.org/
• 45% Doctors Without Borders: http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org
• 10% Local Seattleite Charyn Pfeuffer’s Global Citizen Project

All the Best,
WineGirl

Well, it was a smashing success. Not as smashing as last year (we started the night with 60 wine glasses and woke up with only 24), but smashing none the less.

The press artist Amy Redmond was there with her block press art a splendor! It was such a gorgeous treat to see her art and I even purchased a piece.

Then local artist Katie McMullin was there, too. She too had amazing collage and paintings on display. She has amazingly vivid pieces and I hope to work with her on a new Firá label in the likes of a beautiful bird like this:

ginko bird

We even had some of Javier’s family from the East coast in town to sip our wine.

Haney Family Visit

Then there was the sponsored charity of the evening and our number one entrepreneur, Chloe. Chloe found the event so inspiring for the foster children of the Treehouse that she began drawing her own pictures to then sell for $1. She sold 13 pictures and donated all of her proceeds to the pot collected for the Treehouse. It was such a pleasure to have this little girl, and her mom of course, at the party. She made my night.

The little girl after my own heart.

And, as it was my birthday, Javier bought me one of Chloe’s pictures. A stunning piece with many complicated layers. First there was the profile of the long haired girl and then colorful seat turtle a top the image almost like a frame as if the profiled girl was dreaming of swimming with the gorgeous Galapagos sea turtles.

Entrepreneur Chloe

Well we collected over $200 for the . A superb success for our first fundraising event.

If you have any questions feel free to contact WineGirl at winegirl@winegirlwines.com

Cheers,