Hundreds of Santa Clarita residents gathered Sunday to drink wine and dance in support of the Assistance League at the 11th Annual Sunset in the Vineyard.
The event took place at the Compa Vineyard, tucked away in a Newhall residential neighborhood.
“This is always our biggest event,” said Linda Likins, president of Assistance League. “We are all volunteers. All of our donations go directly back into the community.”
Organization officials put on the event annually to benefit the philanthropic programs of Assistance League of Santa Clarita, including Operation School Bell®, which provides new clothing for children enrolled in Santa Clarita schools.
“This year we have helped over 2,000 children in the valley,” said Helen Barlow, public relations chair. “We partner with Old Navy and Payless, and let the children shop for their own clothes.”
Through events like Sunset in the Vineyard and their retail store in Newhall, Assistance League hopes to increase the number of children they are able to help, said Barlow.
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This event featured vintners from Santa Clarita and across the state, as well as gourmet foods. Assorted hors d’oeuvres, cheese tables and handmade pizza fired in the backyard pizza oven were crafted by students of the College of the Canyons Institute for Culinary Education.
“The showing from the students at COC, it is amazing,” said Gayle Abril-Nolet, vice president of resource development. “They learn how to display food wonderfully well, and every year they do even more.”
Sunset in the Vineyard also had a local brewer, Copper Hill Brewery, as well as a silent auction.
The list of wineries included: Pulchella Winery, Compa Vineyard, Mystic Hills, Due Nasi, Gagnon Cellars, Hoi Pol Loi, Golden Star Vineyards, Pagter Brothers, Reyes Winery, Nuggucciet Cellar, Van Nuys Thugs, Golden Star Vineyards, Byron Blatty Wines, Their & Barrel, Capuano Winery, Hundred Vine, Whistling Vineyard, Alonso Family Vineyards, Nina & Danny Mascari, Stephen Hemmert Vineyards, 2 Papas Entourage and Bouquet Vineyard.
Assistance League officials said they wanted to show their appreciation for their hosts, who let about 400 people into their backyard, and the community for over a decade of support.
“It takes a lot of love to let hundreds of people into their backyard,” said Likins. “We wanted to thank everyone that has supported us year after year.”
