Proceeds from the fundraising event benefit One Mind and Santa Barbara’s Mental Wellness Center
(May 24, 2024; Buellton, Calif.)—Debra Eagle, General Manager of Alma Rosa Winery, a leading Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Rhône variety wine producer from Santa Barbara County’s Sta. Rita Hills AVA, is thrilled to announce that the winery’s fifth annual Peace of Mind: 10,000 Steps in the Right Direction fundraising walk and luncheon raised $210,000, surpassing previous walks in both attendance and funds raised. All proceeds will benefit One Mind and Santa Barbara’s Mental Wellness Center.
Alma Rosa Proprietors Bob and Barb Zorich, along with General Manager Debra Eagle launched the annual Peace of Mind fundraising walk in 2020 to support community services for mental health, as well as research on the causes, treatment and potential cures for anxiety and depression. On Saturday, May 18, 275 participants gathered at the base of Alma Rosa’s 628-acre estate to participate in this year’s 10,000 step, approximately 4.5-mile, walk across the hillside vineyards. Participants were greeted at registration with juice from Pressed Juicery and coffee from Starbucks in Buellton, two of Peace of Mind’s official event sponsors. Adding to the excitement, Santa Barbara County Rotary Clubs registered as a group of five or more people had the opportunity to enter a raffle for a 25-person wine-tasting party at the historic Ranch House. Meanwhile, non-rotary teams had the option to enter a raffle for a 12-person wine-tasting party. The event began with personal and inspiring speeches about the importance of mental health awareness and support from Alma Rosa’s General Manager Debra Eagle, One Mind’s Co-founder and Chief Advocacy and Engagement Officer Brandon Staglin, and Mental Wellness Center’s CEO Annmarie Cameron.
“The fifth annual Peace of Mind event saw an outpouring of support and generosity from the community, with attendance at our estate surging by over 36% from last year,” says Debra Eagle. “As depression and anxiety continue to profoundly affect lives, we’re honored to be part of a positive change. I’m proud to announce that this year’s walk raised the highest funds to date, and we look forward to furthering our commitment next year!”
While completing the course, walkers were fueled by complimentary snacks and beverages from Peace of Mind sponsors, including Kate’s Real Food’s bars, Tosi Snacks’ cashew coconut bites, Leisure Project’s non-carbonated electrolyte refreshers, Culture POP’s probiotic sodas and water provided by Suzy Zimmerman State Farm Insurance. Sunscreen was provided by Vacation Sunscreen. At the summit of the Attente block, the highest point of the estate, participants enjoyed a splash of Alma Rosa Blanc de Blancs sparkling wine before returning to a tasting pavilion nestled in the midst of ancient oak trees for an intimate reception featuring a tasting of the latest releases from Alma Rosa’s Winemaker Samra Morris, as well as from other local wineries including The Hilt Estate, Peake Ranch Winery, The Brander Vineyard, Sanford Winery, Casa Dumetz Wines and Loubud Wines. Richard Sanford, Alma Rosa Winery’s original founder, current winery ambassador and pioneering Central Coast vintner was also present during the reception to mingle with guests. Following the reception, Alma Rosa hosted pre-registered donors for a delicious three-course private luncheon at the historic Ranch House catered by Full of Life Flatbread and paired with Alma Rosa’s portfolio of wines.
“This year’s Peace of Mind event was one for the books! We are amazed by the community’s unwavering support, as the event continues to grow each year,” expresses Bob Zorich. “The funds raised are critical to the ongoing efforts of both One Mind and Santa Barbara’s Mental Wellness Center, and we are deeply grateful for the opportunity to further our commitment to mental health.”
To amplify the efforts of this year’s walk, Bob and Barb Zorich matched individual donations dollar-for-dollar up to $35,000 for each charity, for a total of $70,000 and matched corporate donations up to $25,000. They are grateful to have received generous donations from Rio Vista Chevrolet in Buellton, Johnson Excavation and SCI Specialty Construction. Over the last five years, the winery has raised over $955,000 for One Mind and Mental Wellness Center. In addition to the annual event, Bob serves as Chairman of the Hope and Healing Center & Institute in Houston and supports the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation in New York City.
About Alma Rosa Winery
Alma Rosa Winery, a leading wine producer from Santa Barbara County’s Sta. Rita Hills, is dedicated to making Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines that express the unique terroir of the appellation. Alma Rosa’s wines are layered, vibrant and balanced, reflecting the cool climate impact of the Pacific Ocean breezes that are funneled through the east-west transverse mountain range of the region. The winery was founded in 2005 by Richard Sanford, who was the first to plant Pinot Noir in the Sta. Rita Hills in 1971. Today the winery is owned by Bob and Barb Zorich, who purchased the winery in 2014. In 2019 Samra Morris took the helm as winemaker, becoming the first Bosnian winemaker in California.
For more information about Alma Rosa Winery, please visit almarosawinery.com.
About One Mind™
Launched in 1995 by Shari and Garen Staglin as their means to “run toward the problem” of their son’s schizophrenia diagnosis, One Mind is today a leading mental health non-profit that heals lives by direct support for neuropsychiatric brain research. By convening the brightest minds in brain science and advocacy around a collective vision of “Accelerating Brain Health for All,” One Mind is advancing a three-pronged program strategy of accelerating discoveries, improving services, and transforming culture. Through such achievements as enrolling over 10,000 patients in innovative clinical studies and the One Mind at Work initiative that has brought supportive workplace mental health practices to over 7 million employees, One Mind is creating a world where all facing brain health challenges can build healthy, productive lives. Brandon Staglin, whose own experiences triggered the creation of the non-profit, now serves as its Co-founder and Chief Advocacy and Engagement Officer, exemplifying the change One Mind seeks in its disruptive research and workplace initiatives.
About Mental Wellness Center
With 77 years of service to the Santa Barbara community, Mental Wellness Center has been the leading provider of mental health support to adults, families, and youth. The organization instructs in mental health education to nearly 5,000 local students, operates a residential services program which is home to community members in seven residential sites, and serves individuals and families impacted by mental illness through support groups and social connection programs like its onsite recovery day program that sees hundreds of individuals, both housed and unhoused, living with severe mental illness.
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