On November 10 at the Santa Ynez Valley Marriott, Santa Ynez Valley-based People Helping People (PHP) held its 11th annual Vino de Sueños (“Wine of Dreams”), which it estimates netted nearly $50,000 for PHP programs serving area farmworkers.
Each year, a multitude of talented community members contribute to this event, all motivated by a desire to make a difference in the lives of farmworkers who are the backbone of the area’s agricultural economy. Eleven wineries participated, most donating six cases of their premium wine, which was poured at the event and available for purchase. Eleven area artists, including Seyburn Zorthian, Sharon Tate, John Twerks, and Jim Farnum, donated a piece of farmworker-inspired artwork, which was sold at the event through a silent auction and was reproduced for the wine labels. Fine food purveyors donated their gourmet creations for pairing with the wines, including chef Budi Kazali of The Ballard Inn’s The Gathering Table. Many others donated raffle items. More than 200 guests came to enjoy the good wine, food, and company and to support this worthy cause.
Rick Longoria, owner and winemaker at Longoria Wines, dreamed up Vino de Sueños eleven years ago and PHP CEO Dean Palius and six other wineries jumped right on board. In an interview, Longoria shared how he and his fellow winemakers were inspired to help farmworkers because they have a close working relationship with them. The winemakers know both the farmworkers’ backstory and how hard they work each day. By creating the event, the wineries and PHP give other donors and guests the opportunity to help the farmworkers too.