EDITOR: On April 23 at the Morgan Hill Cultural and Community
Center, a capacity crowd enjoyed the offerings of 14
vintners…
EDITOR:
On April 23 at the Morgan Hill Cultural and Community Center, a capacity crowd enjoyed the offerings of 14 vintners including Cinnabar Vineyards, Clos la Chance Winery, Fortino Winery, Guglielmo Winery, Hahns Estate, Smith & Hook Cellars, Hecker Pass Winery, Louis Martini, McMurray Ranch, Mirrasou Vineyards, Robert Mondavi Special Selection, Pedrizzetti Winery, Rancho Zabaco and Solis Vineyards. With this huge variety of wines, it was easy for the appreciative crowd to find the perfect pairing with the wonderful selection of food samplings from Le’ Bistro, Mr. Hongs Chinese Fast Foods, Friendly Freds Catering, Giancarlos, Mauritzio’s Restaurant Italiano, Rosy’s at the Beach Restaurant and Trail Dust BBQ Joint.
Everyone commented favorably on the red carpet entrance and warm greeting offered by Mayor Dennis Kennedy and Event Chairman Jon Hatakeyama. The great mood setting decor provided by Donna Mott and student volunteers, and the music provided by the South Valley Symphony string quartet apparently worked its magic as the silent and live auction, plus sponsorships and admissions receipts provided a record $36,000 in gross receipts for the Cross Country and Track programs at Britton and Murphy middle schools, Live Oak High and for the soon-to-be-opened Ann Sobrato High School.
Success takes planning, and with anticipated cuts for the Morgan Hill School District’s athletic programs looming, the South Valley Wine Auction’s Executive Planning Committee members Rich Benner, John Campos, Wendy Campos, Joe and Debbie Di’’Salvo, Jon Hatakeyama, Renay Magioncalda, Dennis Martin, Adeline Martinez, Don Mott, Dean Raymond and Lynn Wong began the planning process for this year’s event back in September of 2003.
One of most significant of several new additions for this year’s event was the formation of the Event Ambassadors, a group focused on gaining sponsorships, donations of auction items and ticket sales for the event. The invaluable work provided by these Ambassadors, lead by Mayor Kennedy and ably assisted by Steve Tate, Paul and Mary Ellen Klein, Charles and Margaret Burback, Don and Lorna Mountz, and Dr. Patrick Walker, allowed the Executive Committee to focus on making the event even more enjoyable and successful.
The dual aims of this event to were to create a cultural success as a premiere wine event as well as to raise funds to support a healthy alternatives for our youth via the boys and girls cross country and track teams of the Morgan Hill School District. These goals were met largely due to the dedication of the parent volunteers, school coaches, student volunteers and the endless hours of dedication by our Community members.
Also deserving kudos was the spirited support of the Morgan Hill Community Foundation, Morgan Hill Rotary Club, and the major sponsorship donations of ABD Insurance & Financial Services, Fry’s Electronics, Morgan Hill Times, Hollister Free Lance, Gilroy Dispatch, Paul and Mary Ellen Klein, K and M relocation Networks, Don and Lorna Mounts, Sakata Seeds USA, Snow Canyon Realty, South Valley National Bank, Tommy Tong, DDS, plus the many in-kind donations provided by the local business community.
The South Valley Wine Auction Organizing Committee, as well as the Event Ambassadors foresee many opportunities for those interested in the cultural aspect or the fundraising aspect of this ever popular community event. For more information about the South Valley Wine Auction, please visit www.svwineauction.org
To learn more about being part of the event organizing committee, contact me at in**@********es.com or for requirements to become an Event Ambassador, contact Mayor Kennedy at ma******@*ol.com
Jon Y. Hatakeyama,
Morgan Hill
