A head-to-head competition between wineries of the Alexander Valley and Russian River Valley capped off Friday at a weigh-in of toys donated to Toys for Tots.
In the contest, each participating Healdsburg-area wine region filled a massive grape gondola with toys and coats for local children in need.
Russian River Valley won the challenge by just 20 pounds with 1,040 of donations to Alexander Valley’s 1,020 pounds for a grand total of 2,060 pounds.
Hosted by John Jordan of Jordan Vineyard & Winery of Alexander Valley and Judy Jordan of J Vineyards & Winery of Russian River Valley, this three-week toy drive benefited Toys for Tots and drew nearly 20 wineries.
More than 50 community members turned out at Friday's grand finale gondola weigh-in event, as each team’s holiday-decorated vintage grape gondola pulled up to Jordan Winery’s scale house in Healdsburg for the official weigh-in.
U.S. Marine Reservists, leaders of Sonoma County’s Toys for Tots program, were also on hand to help wineries load last-minute donations into the gondolas.
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