09/05/07 Supporting Cancer Research

Supporting Cancer Research. I'm Greg Martin with today's Fruit Grower Report. The loss of a friend to cancer prompted winemaker David Minnick to release 2 special wines and donate half the bottles price. This past weekend Willow Crest Winery in Prosser, Washington held a special release event of the Sunflower Series. Manager Brooke Manley says the turn out was exceptional. MANLEY: It was amazing to see how many people came out just for that event. We lost count early in the morning, it got a little too busy for us to keep count but I figure I had about 400 people come through the door and we raised about $4000 for the Sarcoma Foundation, that's about how big the check will be just from that day for them. Minnick lost a good friend to Sarcoma cancer. The sunflower was Marny Tobin's favorite so the wines name has special meaning. MANLEY: We actually have two. We have a 2005 chardonnay and then they did a red wine blend which is called vita rosso. Malbec and Merlot and Sangiovese and Syrah. It is beautiful. It is one of the best blends I've ever tasted. Marny Tobin was very supportive of the Sarcoma Foundation and after she died her husband Tom, daughter Terra and Minnick came up with the idea to continue her support after her death. According to Manley the wine is still available. MANLEY: We'll have wine out until it's sold out and so people can come in a taste it and buy it any time. That's today's Fruit Grower Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.