The Bay Area Wine Society is pleased to announce the launch of an innovative program for 2011.  Rather than our normal array of tastings and tours, we have designed a venture - PAIRINGS - that seeks to accomplish a much more ambitious set of objectives than wine appreciation.  We believe if implemented properly this initiative can meet five goals:

           ~~@@@@@D  Raise funds for local nonprofits and social enterprises that                                  enhance the quality of life in the Bay Area

           ~~@@@@@D  Provide discounted wine to consumers seeking to stretch their                                 dollars during this lingering recession

         ~~@@@@@D  Reduce excess inventory of previous vintages while providing                                 more cash flow to artisan wineries

      ~~@@@@@D  Showcase and sell current releases through new channels and special          venues

      ~~@@@@@D  Advance the customer relations and philanthropic goals of                                       the participating wineries

Wineries have always been generous donating their time and resources to charity, raising money via auctions and public tastings. But some the vintners participating in PAIRINGS are taking charitable work in new directions, partnering with local nonprofits and building philanthropy into wine sales.

Members of the Wine Society also wanted to do more:  to find small organizations that are doing great work, but aren't as well supported as the bigger ones. With government funding cut and the private sector diminished, the need has grown.

A fuller description of how the program works can be found on the PAIRINGS website.