Villa Chardonnay Fundraiser May 20

TEMECULA, Calif. (May. 4, 2011) -- “Help Homeless Horses,” a gala fund-raising event sponsored by Villa Chardonnay, Horses With Wings, Inc., will be held on Friday, May 20 at 7 p.m. at South Coast Winery.

Villa Chardonnay is a non-profit 501(c) (3) organization devoted to the rescue of abandoned and neglected horses. Nearly 40 rescued horses reside at the Villa Chardonnay ranch in Temecula.

The event will be held in the Barrel Room at South Coast Winery with an indoor/outdoor setting. Tickets are $90 per person before May 16 and  $100 per person afterwards.

The fund-raising event is open to the public and an evening of entertainment is planned, along with wine tasting, dinner and a silent auction.  Popular singer Barry Allen Cohen will headline and there will be dancing, passed hors d’oeuvres, a menu featuring filet mignon and salmon, plus award-winning South Coast wines.

Live and silent auctions will showcase original artwork, a selection of wines from Temecula vintners, leisure activities, entertainment packages, professional dog training lessons by DogPro of Temecula, electronics, theatre tickets and more.

Sponsorships for the event are available and include Presenting Sponsor, Gold Sponsor, Silver Sponsor and Bronze Sponsor, and range in price from $1,000 to $10,000. Sponsorship advantages include advertising opportunities and community-wide recognition.

“This evening promises to be among the Temecula Valley’s most glittering events,” said Monika Kerber, a member of the board of directors at Villa Chardonnay.

Villa Chardonnay, Horses With Wings is located on a 10-acre ranch in the Temecula Valley and was founded by Kerber and Louise Gardner, who are on the board of directors. The organization has rescued more than 40 abandoned or neglected horses and provides food, shelter, medical care and nurturing. Villa Chardonnay is also involved in community service programs, including equine therapy with autistic children and challenged adults.

“Villa Chardonnay has met a year of challenges, including successful eye surgery for Ziggy, a cancer survivor.  Additionally, feed prices for horses have doubled in the last few months and have strained our resources,” said Kerber.

For more information about Villa Chardonnay and the fund raising event, visit the website at www.villachardonnay.org or call 951-526-6600.