Sonoma Wine Celebration Raises Nearly $1 Million for Children’s Literacy, Down From Last Year’s $1.6 Million

Wine enthusiasts and philanthropists gathered in Sonoma Valley for the annual Sonoma County Wine Celebration, raising nearly $1 million for local children’s literacy programs. The event, held over three days and culminating in a live auction on September 20, took place under a large white tent on the lawn of Cline Cellars. More than 200 guests attended, enjoying food, wine, and the opportunity to support nonprofit organizations in the region.

This year’s fundraising total was lower than last year’s $1.6 million, a result organizers anticipated after reducing the number of live auction lots by half compared to 2024. The change was intended to streamline the event and keep energy high throughout the proceedings. Despite the decrease, the funds raised will continue to support children’s literacy initiatives across Sonoma County.

Since its inception in 1988, the Sonoma County Wine Celebration has generated more than $44 million for local nonprofits. These organizations focus on education, health services, arts and culture, and environmental causes within the county. The event is organized by the Sonoma County Vintners Foundation.

Guests arrived on a sunny afternoon with temperatures in the low 80s and a breeze from Carneros cooling the air. Attendees were greeted with sparkling wine and an array of appetizers such as caviar, ahi tuna tartare, oysters on the half shell, and duck confit tostadas. They mingled under oak and palm trees while sampling wines from a dozen local vintners.

The live auction featured 22 lots and was led by auctioneer John Curley. While bidding, guests enjoyed dishes including grilled shrimp, Ibérico pork tenderloin with macerated cherries, and grilled bavette steak with barbecued onion jus—all paired with Sonoma County wines.

The top-selling lot was VIP access for eight people to next year’s Sonoma County Wine Celebration, which sold for $25,000. Another notable lot offered a lunch for 12 guests with 16 prominent women winemakers and vintners from the region. This package included a case of wine from each winemaker—totaling 192 bottles—and sold for $22,000.

A popular experience called the Ultimate Knights Valley Experience sold for $14,500 but was quickly doubled to $29,000 when sponsors agreed to offer it to both the winning bidder and the runner-up. This package included a three-night stay for eight people and a nine-magnum collection of wine from Knights Bridge, Linked Vineyards, and Brandon Gregory Estate.

The final lot of the evening was the annual Fund-a-Need appeal, which raised $590,000 as dozens of attendees pledged individual donations up to $50,000 each. All proceeds from this segment are directed toward children’s education and literacy programs in Sonoma County.

Congressman Mike Thompson addressed attendees earlier in the day, emphasizing the community’s commitment to supporting local children. “This is a community that not only makes fantastic wine,” Thompson said. “This is a community that gives back, and comes together to make sure that kids will get a shot at the American dream.”

Before bidding began on Fund-a-Need, auctioneer John Curley shared his personal experience growing up with dyslexia and contributed $1,000 himself. “Reading for me was just such a nightmare,” Curley said. “For every kid who ever struggled, thank you, Sonoma.”

The event highlighted both Sonoma County’s celebrated wine culture and its ongoing dedication to supporting local youth through education-focused philanthropy.