Wine Stories
Making the Dash Count!
As the New Year races toward us, it is easy to get lost in the glitz of the season. But it always makes me ponder the question… what is this "all about".
I started Vine Tales with the commitment of not only providing a great service to you, the consumer (by researching and picking fabulous wines) and wine-makers (by introducing people to their finely crafted wares), but also to somehow use this to contribute in that "much bigger way". I am thrilled to share with you how I have chosen to do this: Make the Dash Count Foundation. We will support this wonderful Foundation in a number of ways throughout the year.
Make the Dash Count Foundation was started by fellow wine-lover and winery owner, Hope Moore. Her own story is poignant and the story of the development of Make the Dash Count Foundation extraordinary. The "dash" is the dash between the dates on your gravestone - what you do with that "dash of time" is what matters. Hope has developed a unique framework whereby winemakers are collaborating together with Hope’s winery, Heaven’s Cave Cellars to craft exclusive fine wines showcasing the Washington wine region. These wines will be marketed under the “Make The Dash Count” label. Heavens Cave Cellars, and/or supporters like Vine Tales will be promoting the “Make The Dash Count” label and 100% of the profits from these wine sales will go directly to the Make The Dash Count Foundation.
The truly wonderful part of this Foundation is not just that its mission is to help “at risk children”, but also that it is specifically designed to teach youth about giving back. All of the funding decisions for the Foundation are made by its Youth Advisory Board (14 to 18 year-olds). These youth are being trained on how to be on a Board and make sound decisions (we should all be so well versed prior to being on Boards!) It is then up to them to review and select the causes that they feel will make best use of the monies they have been given the responsibility to distribute, keeping mindful of the Foundation’s mission. The inaugural board began meeting in September 2005 and it has been an amazing process to witness.
We will begin our support by offering our New Years Resolution Pack “Champer Sampler”, now available on www.vinetales.com to you, with all profits given directly to this Foundation. We will also be offering the limited release, Inaugural wine, Make the Dash Count Merlot, the wine made by highly regarded winemaker Chuck Reininger from Reininger Winery. Chuck offered his support to this project as a way to “make his own dash count”.
I encourage you to read more on www.makethedashcount.com and learn about this very special Foundation and the people behind it.
So, my warmest wishes for a safe, happy and prosperous Holiday and New Year!
Topaz Conway
President, Foundress
Vine Tales Wine Club
