FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Deb Pollack, Media Relations
(e) deb@debpollack.com (t) 805.320.9248
MODERN LUXURY’S ANGELENO TEAMS WITH ADOBE ROAD WINERY TO SUPPORT NON-PROFIT
Legendary Singer and Actress Vanessa Williams Joins the Virtual Fun – Exclusive Wine Tasting to Raise Funds for Parkinson’s
LOS ANGELES, July 21, 2020 – When was the last time you enjoyed tasting wine with friends, shared a hot lap on a world-renowned racetrack, and chatted with legendary singer and actress Vanessa Williams – all in the same hour? Modern Luxury’s Angeleno magazine has teamed with Petaluma-based Adobe Road Winery to create a virtual experience at 5:00pm PST on Saturday, August 1st. The event provides a unique tasting experience to benefit Parkinson’s Disease through non-profit Drive Toward a Cure, with a very personalized touch.
Kevin Buckler, CEO of Adobe Road Winery, The Racing Series Wines, and owner of the professional race team The Racers Group (TRG), safely and successfully meshed the finer aspects of racing with fine wine. He knew that each of his passions required an extreme focus, a great deal of attention and a drive for perfection, and both have a passionate enthusiast base to draw upon.
The Racing Series is comprised of four (4) ultra-premium, California, red wine blends, all inspired by moments on the race track. Back in 1995, Kevin entered his Porsche 911, built by The Racers Group, into the California Grand Prix and won his first professional race. Over the last 27 years, he and his team have built a legacy with more than 100 professional victories around the world including the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Rolex 24 at Daytona (4 times).
Buckler swiftly recognized that with the current restrictions nationwide regarding social gatherings, food venues, and sporting events, a virtual realm could bring like-minded folks together and create a fun and informative way to socialize, share tasting experiences and raise charitable funds. “Through the power of ‘Zoom,’ we’re able to open our facilities to those sheltering at their own homes, but most importantly, together experience the warmth and camaraderie shared with a glass of wine and good conversation,” said Buckler.
The partnership with Modern Luxury’s Angeleno magazine opened the door to an additional audience – those interested in supporting Parkinson’s Disease – thanks to the benefit of publisher Chris Gialanella’s friendship with Drive Toward a Cure founder Deb Pollack — and in turn, her friendship with entertainer Vanessa Williams, which aligned with Gialanella’s lifestyle audience. The two women have known one another for more than a decade. Additionally, they share an affinity for cars and the automotive industry – making the perfect pairing with Buckler’s racing-inspired winery and race team.
As a longtime publicist within the luxury automotive arena, and additionally having lost her mother to the challenges of Parkinson’s, Pollack personally knew several famed gentleman drivers and racers that too have succumbed to the debilitating disease, including the late Ferrari aficionado David Love and America’s first Formula One Champion Phil Hill.
Taking advantage of the emotional gratification gained through driving experiences, Pollack leaned on both professional and enthusiast drivers of the automotive arena to further her cause for Parkinson’s. Since 2016, Drive Toward a Cure has raised more than $400,000 to support Parkinson’s Disease research and patient care. The majority of nationwide fundraising events include multi-day driving programs.
Background on Drive Toward a Cure:
Pollack noted that as the organization enters its fourth year, its awareness is blooming on a national scale. “During the past year alone, we’ve made some enormous strides. With a large donation to the Parkinson’s Foundation, we were able to support specific patient care needs and focus on six Parkinson’s ‘Centers of Excellence’ throughout the country. By aligning our events to areas within those regions, we can potentially provide even more funds and make a significant difference for challenged individuals.”
Additionally, Pollack concedes that the easiest way for her organization to raise funds has always been through interactive programs that are both fun and car-oriented, but one doesn’t have to drive to play a role. Groups and organizations like Ferrari and Porsche clubs throughout the nation have come on board to offer panel discussions, garage tours, BBQs, and social gatherings to raise funds on behalf of Drive Toward a Cure. In 2018, the funds raised by those groups enabled the Foundation to offer grants to Parkinson’s patients residing in California that had lost their homes in the devastating fires and has since become the organization’s ‘Special Assistance Fund.’ Applicants can gain additional funding to support patient care needs during overwhelming catastrophes and other special situations.
For more information on the exclusive August 1st wine tasting and to reserve a spot, view: www.adoberoadwines.com/Wine-Tasting/Modern-Luxury. All wine sales utilizing the code ‘LUXURY’ will earn a $10 discount; additionally, Drive Toward a Cure will receive 10% of all LUXURY-coded wine sales before, during, and after the event.
About Drive Toward a Cure:
Drive Toward a Cure raises funds and awareness for Parkinson’s Disease research and patient care. Inspired by the camaraderie found within the automotive culture, the organization’s mission benefits equally from both enthusiast communities and industry professionals. Drive Toward a Cure events harness enthusiasm for cars and driving and turn that power into support for ongoing work to improve the lives of those living with Parkinson’s, as well as the research that will hopefully one day lead to a cure.
About Adobe Road Winery
Adobe Road Winery is an award-winning, boutique winery located in Petaluma, California, producing small, handcrafted lots of select varietals and extraordinary blends from both Napa and Sonoma counties. The “A-Team” produces world-class wines that owner, Kevin Buckler, is proud to serve alongside any of the reference point wines in his collection. Focusing on capturing the time and place of harvest from extraordinary vineyards, these distinctive wines reflect terroir in the true French sense. Their accolades are impressive, with placements in some of the top restaurants in America, and eighteen 90+ ratings from the Wine Spectator and numerous awards and medals.
About Modern Luxury/Angeleno
At Modern Luxury, connection and community define who we are. Reaching an audience of more than 16 million, we are the nation’s largest luxury media company offering leading brands access to the most affluent audiences in the most prominent cities across the U.S. Through the power of the Modern Luxury Media ecosystem including 85+ brands across 22 markets, we deliver powerful marketing solutions allowing luxury brands to connect with their audiences in the places and ways that matter the most. Visit modernluxurymedia.com and find us on Instagram or follow us on Twitter.
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