Benefit at Sonoma County airport raises funds for Valley fire victims

Like a good neighbor, to paraphrase the TV jingle, Sonoma County is there for Lake County people terrified and in so many cases left homeless and bereft of all worldly possessions by the Valley fire.

The caring response continued Saturday at Raise the Roof, a quickly organized wine-and-bites benefit held in and around the Sonoma Jet Center hangar at the Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport.

Guests mingled to the acoustic music accompaniment of Pat Jordan. There was plenty to eat and drink, and it was first class.

About 20 Sonoma County wineries, distilleries and purveyors of serious beer poured some of their favorite creations. Among them were Rochioli, Sonoma Bros. Distilling, Joseph Swan, Bear Republic, Williams Selyem, Eagle Distributing, Colby Red, Mauritson, Bruliam, Davis Family, Siddiqui Rums, Kokumi, Lando, Rack & Riddle, Lombardi, Limerick Lane, Smith Story, Ramey, Arista, Dolenan, Holdredge, Eagle Distributing, Bucher and Kanzler.

Local chefs and restaurants served up delectable tastes, and Cal Fire firefighters demonstrated their prowess at the grill.

On display was an impressive assortment of items up for grabs in the silent auction.

Hosting “Raise the Roof” were Sonoma Wine Country Cares, a new charitable endeavor created by Sam Lando of Lando Wines, and the Windsor Rotary Community Foundation. They will donate proceeds to the Redwood Credit Union Lake County Fire Victims Relief Fund.