Established in 1998, the Wine Advisory Board is a forum where men and women from throughout the South Bay meet regularly throughout the year to share their interest in wine, while supporting the annual Manhattan Wine Auction, which raises funds for MBEF and the seven public schools in Manhattan Beach.
Nearly all of the wine donations for the Manhattan Wine Auction come from members of the Wine Advisory Board. Individually, members donate from $500 to over $15,000 in wine – most from their private collections and cellars. The Wine Advisory Board also plays an important role in creating the Live and Silent Auction wine lots.
The dinners have a selected wine theme and are held at local restaurants and members’ homes. All attendees are encouraged to bring bottles of wine to share together, as well as to donate for the Auction.
The Wine Advisory Board provides an excellent opportunity to enjoy great food and wine, meet good people, and support our children, schools and community. If you are interested in joining the Wine Advisory Board or for more information, please contact our Wine Advisory Board Chair, Ralph Canada.
2018 Wine Advisory Board Donors
| Grand Sommelier Level ($20,000 and above) | Burgundy Level ($1,000 – $1,999) |
| Joan Jones | Rachel and Chris Alexander |
| Robert Allen | |
| Grand Cru Level ($6,500 – $10,000) | Ronda and Anthony Ferguson |
| Tanja and Ralph Canada | Frankie Gelbwachs |
| Monika and Lee Dover | Justine and Andrew Hunter |
| Cindy and Michael Kaplan | Anne and Bill Kennedy |
| Anicia Mendez and Adam Kirkorian | Shannon and Chris Ryan |
| Jeanne and John Oshiro | Susan and Bill Weintraub |
| Joni and Duilio Ramallo | |
| Michelle and Greg Rosen | Rhone Level ($500 – $999) |
| Julie and Richard Schweitzer | Dawn and Ken Bush |
| Virginia Sogomonian and Rich Weiss | Pamela and Matthew Luce |
| Stephanie and Scott Mibu | |
| Premier Cru Level ($3,500 – $6,499) | Dawn Turner and Barret Pulver |
| Chris and Geoff Bremer | Saralo and Danny Raffle |
| Wanda and Chuck Kaminski | Sheryl Rooker and Jeff Thaler |
| Ashley McCarthy and Bret Barker | Christine and Mark Shuken |
| Valerie and Paul Mellinger | |
| April and Roger Spencer | |
| Bordeaux Level ($2,000-$3,499) | |
| Lily Chang and Jeff Konsmo | |
| Kim and Jon Friedman | |
| Rita and Adam Goldston | |
| Robin Sue Kaminsky and Stewart Bogen | |
| Michael Kelly | |
| Holly and Bryon Rockwell | |
| Ruta and Brent Sprenkle | |
| Debbi Tippett and Tom Mahr |