(May 28, 2020 — Sebastopol, CA) —Kistler Vineyards through the sales of a special spring release of restaurant wines have donated a percentage of its proceeds to help the nation’s restaurant community which has been deeply affected by the worldwide pandemic. Almost $100k raised will be shared with three foundations that will have immediate impact and assistance to restaurant workers.
Kistler Vineyards is disbursing funds to the following foundations:
- Restaurant Employees Relief Fund
- Restaurant Workers Community Foundation
- United Sommelier Foundation
“The sommelier and greater restaurant community is inextricably linked to what we do. We’re all part of an effort to introduce people to these experiences, these places, through the products that come from them. Where, and how people are introduced is an art in and of itself, and ties all the way back to the farming we do…it’s a continuum,” says Jason Kesner, President-Winemaker. “It’s an honor for Kistler to help.”
The United Sommelier Foundation has also partnered with Acker Wines to host a rolling charitable auction. Established in 1820, Acker is the oldest wine shop in America and the world’s largest fine and rare wine auction house. Acker is generously donating an additional percentage on top of hammer price so that the United Sommeliers Foundation will receive more than 100% of the value of each lot sold.
“I have great admiration for the sommelier community. Through tireless study, these young sommeliers have honed their craft and enhanced the dining experience all over the United States. I have endeavored to help as much as I can with their studies,” said Geoff Labitzke MW, Director of Sales. “Now these folks need our financial help. Thousands of my friends are out of work and may not be able to return to the restaurant floor any time soon. I was honored to be invited to help create this foundation and am privileged to serve on its board.”
Acker Wines began will begin accepting bids on Monday, May 25th on its website. The close of the auction will be held “live online” with Acker chairman John Kapon presiding as auctioneer over the sale on Sunday evening, May 31st beginning at 8pm ET. The auction will feature an incredible assortment of lots donated directly from private cellars and domaines such as Screaming Eagle, Ridge, Domaine Ponsot, Martine Saunier, Weingut Keller, Domaine Weinbach, Hundred Acre, Peter Michael, Kistler, Chateau Montelena, Jordan, Booker, Mayacamas, Spottswoode, Bond, Quilceda Creek, with more donations flowing in each day.
ABOUT UNITED SOMMELIERS FOUNDATION
Created during the global COVID-19 crisis, The United Sommeliers Foundation has established a fund to provide financial assistance to professional sommeliers finding themselves in vulnerable and uncertain positions. The hospitality industry has come to a screeching halt causing many to lose their jobs. During these unprecedented times, it is unknown what will happen when restaurants and hospitality establishments prioritize their staff re-hiring efforts. They have organized a fund to which sommeliers in the U.S. whose hours have been cut or jobs have been eliminated can immediately apply. The foundation is comprised of many industry leaders whose goal is to provide funding grants to applicants that meet the greatest need during a time of significant uncertainty. It is their objective to keep the industry afloat by supporting the country’s wine professionals during this and any future crises. The members of this foundation are dedicated to utilizing their 100+ years of experience to touch every corner of the industry. To learn more, please visit: https://www.unitedsommeliersfoundation.org/
ABOUT KISTLER VINEYARDS
Founded in 1978, Kistler Vineyards is a small, privately owned and operated winery dedicated to the vinification of world-class site-specific Chardonnay and Pinot Noir using old-world techniques to bring out the very best in our new world vineyards. Kistler Vineyards has consistently bottled some of the finest examples of these two varietals for almost 40 years. The winery produces single-vineyard Chardonnay and Pinot Noirs, which are available exclusively to our mailing list members. A small amount of Kistler Vineyard wines are sold in top quality restaurants and retail stores in select markets throughout the country. To learn more, please visit http://www.kistlervineyards.com/.
