Santa Barbara Wine Country Celebrates Healthcare Workers With Free Wine Donations

Santa Barbara Wine Country is recognizing healthcare workers throughout Southern California with free bottles of wine to thank them for their hard work on the front lines of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Over 50 vintners and winemakers throughout Santa Barbara County are making contributions this week with the goal of donating 500 cases to doctors, nurses and other medical staff at hospitals in Santa Barbara, Los Angeles and Orange Counties. Each will receive a care package along with a thank you note for their tireless work and dedication.

The movement was started by Michael Speakman, owner of Westerly Wines. Speakman reached out to multiple hospitals and fellow vintners with the idea and quickly received strong support. The following hospitals will be receiving the wine donations, and the list is expected to grow:

• Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital Foundation
• Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital Foundation
• Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital Foundation
• UCLA Health (multiple locations and clinics throughout Los Angeles)
• St. John's Pleasant Valley Hospital in Camarillo
• Kaiser Permanente Orange County
• Anaheim Medical Center
• Mission Hospital Mission Viejo

“The Santa Barbara wine community is thrilled to be able to donate our wines to healthcare workers as an expression of our gratitude during this unprecedented health crisis. When they go home, we hope they can relax and enjoy a glass of wine made by people who recognize and appreciate all they are doing,” said CEO of Santa Barbara Vintners, Alison Laslett.

Santa Barbara County has one of the most extensive collections of wine varietals in California. While wineries and tasting rooms are closed at this time, they are supporting community efforts and participating in virtual wine tastings with consumers staying at home, https://www.sbcountywines.com/sbv-virtual-tastings.html.

About Santa Barbara Vintners

Santa Barbara Vintners (Santa Barbara County Vintners Association) is a non-profit 501(c)6 organization founded in 1983 to support and promote Santa Barbara County as a world-class wine producing and wine grape growing region. The association includes winery members whose annual production is at least 75% Santa Barbara County (or sub-AVA) labeled, winery associates, vineyards, vineyard management companies, hospitality, and industry associate members. The association produces festivals and wine country weekends; educational seminars and tastings; provides information to consumers, trade, and media; and advocates for the Santa Barbara County wine and grape industry.

For more information, visit https://www.sbcountywines.com/ Follow us: @santabarbarawinecountry on Facebook & Instagram and @sbcwines on Twitter.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200408005685/en/

Sonja Farra
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714-222-5802