Although wine has been associated with health since the dawn
of civilization, the relationship was consummated in 1859 with the founding of the
Hospices de Beaune annual charity wine auction. Built in 1443 as an almshouse
and hospital for the poor, the Hospice was and is to this day supported by
vineyard holdings. The auction serves to create a market for the wines, and has
become a huge annual event in Burgundy. Following this lead, charity wine
auctions are now held throughout the world, benefiting health care and a range
of worthy causes. Some wineries now devote their profits directly to health
care charities, and I would like to highlight a few of them here.
Napa Valley winery Ehlers
Estate is actually owned by a charitable trust, Fondation Leducq. The vineyard
dates to the 1880’s, and produces 100% organic wines. The foundation, based in
France, sponsors internationally collaborative research in cardiovascular and
neurovascular disease. Their grants have
gone to more than 100 institutions in 18 countries.
Another California winery, J Lohr Vineyards & Wines, honors the legacy
of Carol Waldorf Lohr, who passed away from breast cancer in 2008. Their Touching Lives program, now in its eight
year, aims to make early detection possible for thousands of women by helping
women get access to mammograms. A portion of proceeds from every bottle sold of
J. Lohr Carol’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon benefits the National Breast Cancer
Foundation.
Walla Walla winery Vital Wines produces wines that, in the words of founder Ashley
Trout, “complete a circle” by supporting healthcare for vineyard workers. All
proceeds go to the SOS Clinic, a free, non-profit health care clinic. Because
vineyard work is seasonal, access to healthcare can be a challenge for this
population.
Napa’s ONEHOPE
Wine was founded on the basis of charitable giving, with a variety of wines
each benefiting a specific cause. Their Rutherford Estate Sauvignon Blanc
supports Napa farmworkers with on-site medical care and health education, and
the Napa Valley Reserve Merlot “helps provide life changing medical care to
patients around the world.”
This sense of charity pervades the wine industry throughout
the world, perhaps more than any other business category. Generosity of spirit
is linked to good health, wine is a cornerstone of healthy living, and the
synergy of the two is powerful. So let’s fill a glass with one of these
generous offerings and toast to health and long life!
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