Idle Cellars tasting at Schools For Salone Benefit in Seattle

As
wine makers we are invited to a whole spectrum of events. From
intimate wine dinners to food and wine events. When we were asked to
pour Idle Cellars for a fundraiser in Seattle for Schools for Salon,
a non profit that helps build schools in Sierra Leone, we were humbly
excited to be part of such an important cause.

The
fundraiser was held at Herben Feast, an unassuming boat warehouse
camouflaged in the rest of the neighborhood by the port. Once inside
it looked like a combination of a rustic barn with exposed beams and
old time chandeliers exposing a huge central room with a few cut out
nooks on each side. Round tables were being set in the main hall to
hold all the guests for the upcoming dinner. The stage was being
prepped with a podium for the speakers and screens for projection.

The
crew was relaxed, with African drumming being played throughout the
joint. The kind of music that puts a smile on your face and makes
the foot tap while getting the venue prepared for a fun, entertaining
evening. We were given the first nook near the entrance of the
venue. White table clothes, ice buckets to keep the chill on the
Viognier and Chardonnay and flowers on either side of the table to
bring some warmth and love to the situation. Rows of Syrah,
Grenache, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon filled the table full of joy
and wonderment. We were dressed fancy, yet relaxed, ties, with
shirts untucked and cardigans.

The
first to arrive was Ishmael Baeh, the main speaker of the evening. A
warm, humbling man from Sierra Leone who wrote the book The Long Way
Gone and Joseph Lamin, a Sierra Leonenian who works with Schools for
Salone in Sierra Leone contracting and organizing on the ground in
Africa. After a few minutes of sharing, talking about one another's
passions, the gates were opened and guests started to arrive. As
much as they were intrigued by Ishmael and Joseph, the guests were
also very interested in what the micro winery from Sonoma had to
offer. Even though the wine is not the main attraction, as a side bar
it created a loose, enjoyable audience.

After
a couple of hours of us creating an idle atmosphere they started
dinner and the presentation. Everyone found there seats as salads,
main courses, and deserts were generously handed out. Conversations
started to quiet down as Ishmael, Joseph, Cindy Nofziger (the
Executive Director of Schools for Salone), and Bob Heavner, (the
Board of Directors President) each took there turns discussing the
importance of building schools for Sierra Leone, a country still
hurting from their civil war. We were brought to laughter as well as
tears, hearing how these extraordinary people put their passion
towards children and the rebuilding of a beautiful nation.

As
the night was finishing up, people left with smiles and serious
subjects on their mind. It was wonderful to be part of something that
will help the growth and development of a rebuilding nation but also
the new construction of schools. We also got a glimpse of the
recycler, overflowing with empty Idle Cellars bottles, a job well
done.