Over the course of the next few weeks we will be sharing interviews with a few of Washington’s winemakers. We approached each of them with the question, “Why do you think wine and charity go so well together?” Our first winemaker, Marie-Eve Gilla from Forgeron Cellars, took time from her very busy life to share her thoughts.

“I think one of the reasons is that people who are interested in fine wine and food are in a position to give to charities and regularly attend charity events,” said Marie. “These are people who are doing well and feel the desire to give back.” Another of the reasons she gave us is that wine helps to set the stage for a successful charity event. “If you are at an event, and there is wine and good company, people are going to be more comfortable and willing to enjoy themselves,” she comments.  “They will be in the mood to give more.”

Two of Marie’s favorite charities are Camp Korey and theJuvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. “I have young children and I am concerned with the health and welfare of children. Camp Korey is a program that allows terminally ill children the opportunity to go camping and have a week of hope.” Camp Korey, located in Carnation, Washington, has a staff of doctors, nurses and counselors that provide children suffering from serious and terminal illness the chance to be a kid.

“We try to be sensitive to the issues surrounding underage drinking so it is difficult to reconcile serving or donating wine to a charity that is for the benefit of children,” Marie said, “but some of the most worthy causes are for children.” On the face of it this may present a problem to a lot of people and we chatted briefly about the issue of underage drinking and its impact on our society. We concluded that if wine could help raise money for the benefit of children without being served to children that this was a very good thing.

Between family, winery and a winemaker’s travel schedule we wondered, how does Marie choose who to donate to during the year? It turns out she is as savvy in her giving as she is in making her wine. “We choose charities to give to throughout the year based upon the people we know; who sit on the boards or the fundraising committees,” she explained. “We want to make sure that we are giving to organizations that share our ethics and that the money is going to the object of the charity not the administration of the charity. We are so busy that it would be impossible for us to do the kind of due diligence that would make me comfortable with strangers so we leverage our personal contacts instead.”

Of course, there is the obvious question of why do this at all? What’s in it for Marie and Forgeron? “Well, we do this because we care. I care about Camp Korey and juvenile diabetes,” Marie declared. “Of course, there is the exposure for the winery and wine to people who care about these causes and enjoy wine but if I didn’t do this through the winery, I probably wouldn’t do as much as I do.” Overall for Marie it is about bringing balance to a very blessed life. “If I can give a little bit then I feel I am trying to help someone else and doing it with people I know and trust ensures that it does help someone else.”

Charitable Winos – Giving because we care!