Helping our Neighbors...Still

I woke up a few weeks back, read the headlines, and determined that it would be a better to stay in bed with my kids all day.  The news was just too horrible, with too many lives impacted once again.  I drug on like this for a day or two until my mom sent me a text: “we cannot control what happens in the world, but we can control our response”.  She reminded me, there is nothing we could have done in recent months to prevent these events in the news, but we can send aid and make a conscious decision to help those in need.

Then, this week, the headlines hit much closer to home.  The wildfires in Northern California are impacting members of our greater wine community.  Beyond the stately wineries, there are the people that run our POS system and website, former colleagues working as winemakers and cellar hands, those who tend the vines, and those who have the exact same jobs as me and my team: selling the wines.  A fire in 2017 for a winery can mean years and years of damage.  Inventory lost today means nothing to sell for years to come, and all of those lives, and the lives of their families, are impacted for that span of time.

And so this October, I ask that we all give, because that is all that we can control at this point in time.  We are still focusing on our Product Spotlight in the first part of October, where 10% of our website and tasting room proceeds will go to Hurricane Relief funds via Global Giving.  In addition, Charlie and I feel passionate about generating additional funds that can go to those affected by the fires in Northern California.

October 20 – 22: we are joining forces with other wineries in the Red Mountain AVA to benefit relief efforts in Napa and Sonoma.  Fidelitas will be donating a portion of our proceeds from the entire weekend, including the Harvest Party on Red Mountain.  In addition, we ask that our guests consider making a cash donation, or contributing gift cards to stores such as Target and Home Depot that can distributed to families in Northern California so they can purchase the essentials they need to start rebuilding.

I have been fortunate enough to visit both Napa and Sonoma several times over the years, including a trip when I was very young, and again when I was just 21.  Every visit, whether as a newbie, or as an industry member, I have been warmly welcomed and treated wonderfully.  It truly is a special place.