Looking for a fun adventure this Friday? Relax at home and “raise your paddle” at Youth in Arts’s Sip & Bid.
The virtual wine auction at 6 p.m. (Pacific Time) on July 24. The one-hour live event features rare wines, exclusive tasting experiences and Northern California getaways. Attendance is free!
We’re grateful for the generous support of several wineries, including Gundlach Bundschu, Three Sticks Wines and Bar None’s Canyon.
Bar None’s Canyon Old Vine Zinfandel grapes are grown in Nuns Canyon Vineyard, overlooking the beautiful Valley of the Moon.
“We think it’s the best place to grow Zinfandel — bar none!” said owner Kimberly Hughes, who calls herself “a grape grower and art enthusiast.”
In Nuns Canyon Vineyard, Bar None’s Canyon grows Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc grapes. For the Sip & Bid, Bar None’s Canyon is offering a Visit-the-Vineyard wine tasting for four during this year’s fall harvest. Guests even get a bottle of their award-winning Zinfandel to take home!
“Since we live in Marin, we thought the Youth in Arts’ Sip & Bid would be a fun way to help academic arts, locally,” Kimberly said. “Art is such a creative outlet for kids. Art brings joy and fun to learning, and helps keep kids engaged in school as they grow up. Art instruction has also been shown to improve kids’ grades and ability to learn other subjects. Likely, no child ever said they didn’t want to go to art class.”
Another winery with a rich history is Gundlach Bundschu – affectionately called GunBun by the locals.
Gundlach Bundschu is the oldest family run winery in California. Started in 1858, it covers 320 acres and produces 11 varietals of wine. The winery has donated four bottles of their Vintage Reserve, a high-end Bordeaux blend from 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2015. Each year, the winery works with a different artist to create a special label.
The winery also donated two tickets to its well known Huichica Music Festival. Usually held in June, the popular event has been rescheduled this year for Oct. 16-17 (tickets are transferable should they have to postpone).
“Gundlach Bundschu finds it extremely important to foster the arts in our community and our youth,” said Hospitality Manager Jessica Thornton. “We have showcased music on our family vineyard for generations and have repeatedly stood witness to the powerful interplay of music, the arts and wine. By supporting Youth in Arts, we can play a part in young and local artists to continue their passion and education.”
The Sip & Bid will also feature a three-bottle vertical of Durell Chardonnay and private tasting from Three Sticks, a boutique winery designated one of the top 50 producers in Sonoma by Wine Spectator. The four person tasting experience can be redeemed either in person at the historic Vallejo-Casteñada Adobe just off the Sonoma square, or as a virtual tasting in the comfort of your home. Three Sticks is known for producing excellent Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, said Public Relations Manager Maral Papakhian.
“We are participating in Youth in Arts’ Sip & Bid because we believe in supporting our California community, particularly local nonprofits like Youth in Arts that work towards inclusion and empowerment of young artists of all backgrounds,” Maral said. “Art, like wine, spreads joy to the community and builds connection. We all need that more than ever today and especially our youth.”
Other participating businesses include Blue Farm Wines, Chateau St. Jean, Hamel Family Wines, Paul Hobbs Winery, SFMOMA, Sophie James Wine Co., Williams Selyem, Wise Sons Delicatessen and more. Ed Gold of Stellar Fundraising Auctions is the live auctioneer.
If reading about fine wine is making you dream about fine wine, you won’t want to miss Friday’s Re-Stock Your Wine Cellar raffle, which features 20 bottles of wine valued at more than $500. Tickets are $25 each or five for $100 (to purchase raffle tickets, email Development Associate Morgan Schauffler).
View more exciting auction items in the catalog here.
Thank you to our Sip & Bid sponsors, Troutman Sanders and Bank of Marin, for supporting this event, which will help us continue reaching students through distance learning. Our mission at Youth in Arts is to support creativity, confidence and compassion with innovative programs in visual art, theater, dance and music that are designed to reach all learners of all abilities.
