Cottonwood AZ (December 14, 2021) – ‘Vin de Filles’, an Arizona wine grown, produced and bottled by women was released during its first annual Fund-Raising Party in mid-October at Page Springs Cellars.
The group of female volunteers ranged between the ages of 11 and 68. They nurtured two different grape varieties, Malvasia and Syrah since the beginning of the 2020 winegrowing season for their pied-de-cuve co-ferment. Jenelle Bonifield, a professional female photographer photo-documented the journey: pruning, shoot thinning, suckering, leaf pulling, hedging, netting, harvesting, pressing and bottling. Lauren designed the label showing homage to Page Springs Cellars and adding a feminine twist.
The VDF project educates and encourages the passions of women beyond the food and beverage industry. A five-course pairing dinner was prepared by female chefs and winemakers from Arizona with a female musician playing live acoustic guitar. The event hosted a silent auction with wine donated by women winemakers from across the world including Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and California and two pieces of unique art were created specifically for the event by two female local artists.
All the silent auction proceeds, plus portions of net profits of ticket, wine, and t-shirt sales were donated to the Verde Valley Sanctuary amounting to $25,000.00. This donation will directly support a housing expansion project, which will increase capacity and provide the women of the shelter private accommodations for their families and pets. Verde Valley Sanctuary’s mission is to enhance the safety of and increase services for survivors of sexual and domestic violence as well as end additional abuse through communitywide education.
The 2020 vintage is available for purchase at the Page Springs Cellars tasting room and a large portion of the net profits will continue to be donated to the Verde Valley Sanctuary. For more information or for 2022 event details, check out https://pagespringscellars.com/vin-de-filles.
For more information about Verde Valley Sanctuary or to make a donation, contact Community Development Director Tracey McConnell at (928) 282-2755, development@verdevalleysanctuary.org, or visit the website https://www.verdevalleysanctuary.org.