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, Rich Janson.
2019 Wine Advisory Board Donors
| Master Sommelier Level ($20,000 and above) | Burgundy Level ($1,000 – $2,000) |
| Virginia Sogomonian and Rich Weiss | Rachel and Chris Alexander |
| Dawn and Ken Bush | |
| Grand Sommelier Level ($10,000 – $20,000) | Justine and Andrew Hunter |
| Jeanne and John Oshiro | Gretchen and Rich Janson |
| Saralo and Danny Raffle | |
| Grand Cru Level ($5,000 – $10,000) | |
| Tanja and Ralph Canada | Rhone Level (Up to $1,000) |
| Anicia Mendez and Adam Krikorian | Robert Allen |
| Valerie and Paul Mellinger | Ronda and Anthony Ferguson |
| Frankie Gelbwachs | |
| Premier Cru Level ($3,000 – $5,000) | Richard Gronbach |
| Chris and Geoff Bremer | Anne and Bill Kennedy |
| Lily Chang and Jeff Konsmo | Dawn and Barret Pulver |
| Kim and Jon Friedman | Holly and Bryon Rockwell |
| Rita and Adam Goldston | April and Roger Spencer |
| Cindy and Michael Kaplan | Debbi Tippett and Tom Mahr |
| Michelle and Greg Rosen | |
| Bordeaux Level ($2,000-$3,000) | |
| Cathy and Quinn Barrow | |
| Joan Jones | |
| Wanda and Chuck Kaminski | |
| Robin Sue Kaminsky and Stewart Bogen | |
| Ashley McCarthy and Bret Barker | |
| Ruta and Brent Sprenkle |
List current through May 22, 2019