Manhattan Beach Wine Auction Food-Wine-Charity event on June 4th, 2022- Preview & Post Coverage
PRESS Post Coverage :
Manhattan Beach, June 8, 2022 – The Manhattan Beach Education Foundation nets over $1.3M at the first in–person
Manhattan Wine Auction since 2019.
On Saturday, June 4th, after two years of virtual events, the Manhattan Beach Education Foundation was delighted to be
back in person celebrating the 28th Annual Manhattan Wine Auction at the Manhattan Country Club. One of the South
Bay’s most celebrated fundraisers, the Manhattan Wine Auction provided an opportunity for the community to come
together to raise critical funding for Manhattan Beach public schools.
A sold–out crowd of 2000 guests sampled provisions from 45 South Bay restaurants and sipped wines from over 80
wineries. Guests marveled at the abundant and exceptional offerings this year from participants like Boa Steakhouse,
Arthur J, Daou Family Estates and Gray Whale Gin. The exclusive Reserve Room hosted 400 guests and featured tastings ofrare wines from Boich Family Cellar and Viceversa, along with food from Fox & Farrow and RYLA. The ten–piece live band on Center Court kept the guests dancing until the lights went out. The positive energy and excitement could not be missed. MBEF Executive Director, Hilary Mahan, shared, “It is clear that the tradition of the Manhattan Wine Auction holds a
special place in the hearts of our community members. The outpouring of support – from the entire community – is
unmistakable year after year, but this year, in particular, was special. The commitment to education was evident in the
number of volunteers, guests, auction items, restaurants and wineries – everyone stepped it up and was ready to
celebrate!”
Local businesses also served as major sponsors of the Wine Auction – from the founding sponsor, Chevron, to the Premier
Sponsor Kirkland & Ellis, to the many other generous Platinum sponsors, including Desolation Hotel, First Republic Bank,
Running Point Capital Advisors, Spencer & Weiss Families, and Wells Fargo The Private Bank, along with our Vineyard
Court sponsor J.P. Morgan Private Bank. As always, The Bay Club continued to be a key partner in the event as the
inaugural host and provided significant support to ensure the continued success of the Manhattan Wine Auction.
The Silent Auction opened to the community prior to the event, helping to raise the final number of nearly $300K. The
Silent Auction featured a wide array of items, including a LA Rams VIP package, VIP Floor Tickets to Justin Bieber, along
with over 900 bottles of wines donated by members of the community and wineries from throughout California. The Live
Auction raised $330,000 and had spectacular packages including an exquisite Blue Sapphire Diamond Pendant Necklace,
VIP tickets to the AT&T Pebble Beach Celebrity Pro–Am via a Challenger Jet, a trip to Napa Valley with private tastings at
Arrow&Branch and Memento Mori wineries, a 3–night stay at the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Los Cabos at Costa
Palmas, along with many other fantastic experiences and rare wines.
One of the evening’s highlights was the presentation of MBEF’s 2022 Legacy Award to SKECHERS’s Co–founder and
President, Michael Greenberg. Introduced in 2020, the MBEF Legacy Award honors those individuals, families and
businesses who have demonstrated a truly exceptional commitment to the MBEF mission. MBEF President Scott
Rosenthal presented the award to Michael, sharing that MBEF and Manhattan Beach are fortunate to have someone like
Michael Greenberg on our side, “we need more leaders like Michael Greenberg; selfless, creative, eager to help and
Contact: David Brennan
Phone: (310) 303–3342
325 S. Peck Avenue
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
28TH ANNUAL MANHATTAN WINE AUCTION PAGE 2
capable of inspiring others to do the same. He has raised millions to support area children through the Friendship
Foundation, the Skechers Foundation, and the annual Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk, of which contributions to
MBEF have totaled more than $2 million over the course of the event’s lifetime.” Past recipients include Rod Spackman,
retired Corporate Affairs Manager of Chevron, and Jan and Chet Pipkin, founders of Belkin.
Each year the MBEF Board of Directors selects a program or need to focus on with a Paddle Raise – this year the Paddle
Raise was dedicated to Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). Over $250,000 was raised for this
important initiative, including a $100,000 contribution from Chevron. MBEF Executive Director Hilary Mahan
shared that the important STEM programs currently in place have had a tremendous impact on student learning,
“MakerSpace and Science Lab in all of our elementary schools, STEM electives in the middle school, and a robust
Technology and Engineering program at the high school have inspired our students to consider how STEM is
incorporated into everything they do. The partnership with Chevron over the years has been instrumental in
building the current STEM programs, and the funds raised at the Wine Auction will build on this momentum to
equip our students with more opportunities for exploration and discovery.” The increase in funding for the 2022–
23 school year will provide more resources to engage students in STEM at every step in their journey.
ABOUT MANHATTAN BEACH EDUCATION FOUNDATION ENDOWMENT
All proceeds from the Manhattan Wine Auction benefit the MBEF Endowment Fund. The Manhattan Beach Education
Foundation Endowment provides critical financial support for MBEF’s mission to enrich teaching and promote innovation
and academic excellence in the public schools of Manhattan Beach today and for years to come. The Endowment provides
a stable and consistent source of funding that avoids fluctuations in the economy and the unpredictability of state funding
for education. Each year, a disbursement from the Endowment supports MBEF programs for the coming year – in 2021,
the disbursement was over $1.1 M to support $5.3 million in programs that engage students in learning and provides
opportunities for discovery in grades TK–12 for the 2021–22 school year.
For more information, please visit www.mbef.org and http://endowment.mbef.org/
For more information about the Manhattan Wine Auction, please visit manhattanwineauction.com.
Photographer: Ken Pagliaro
Preview:
The iconic Manhattan Wine Auction – an EXPERIENCE unlike any other. Hosted at the Manhattan Country Club, the Manhattan Wine Auction brings the community together to sip incredible wines, dine on the newest chef creations, bid on exciting auction items, raise their paddles, and dance the night away under the stars.
Entrance to the Manhattan Wine Auction is available through individual tickets or Center Court Table Sponsorships. A limited number of tickets and tables available.
Center Court is where it happens. The Manhattan Wine Auction provides a number of table sponsorship opportunities for families, friends, and corporations. During the stage program, guests are seated at a private table with an exclusive wine and dining experience.
Reserve Room guests have the unique opportunity to taste the most exclusive cult and unattainable wines from Napa Valley and beyond, many of which will be on the auction block. Hearty hors d’oeuvres are paired with the exceptional wines.
Spread out over the Vineyard Courts, guests enjoy samplings from 40 of the finest local restaurants, and specialty food purveyors. Chefs from favorite restaurants showcase their signature dishes and flavors.
Throughout the Vineyard Courts, guests enjoy incredible tastings from over 75 distinguished wineries, distilleries, and breweries.
At the conclusion of the program, guests are invited to continue the celebration with dancing under the stars to a live band.
Every year, the Manhattan Wine Auction features over 350 silent auction items, including collectible wines and spirits, extraordinary trips, one-of-a-kind dinners and experiences, jewelry, art, and sports memorabilia. The live auction features amazing lots of wine and experiences for guests to bid on from the audience.
More info, sponsorship opportunities and auction items at www.mbef.org
On Saturday, June 4th, after two years of virtual events, the 28 th annual Manhattan Wine Auction will return in person to
Manhattan Country Club. One of the South Bay’s most celebrated fundraisers, the Manhattan Wine Auction provides an
opportunity for the community to come together once again to raise critical funding for Manhattan Beach public schools.
The traditions of the iconic event are what bring the 2000 guests back year after year – almost 50 local restaurants and
more than 80 wineries, breweries and distilleries share tastings and samplings, rare and specialty wines along with other
incredible items are included in the auction, and the beach chic scene is the place to be in Manhattan Beach in early June.
As the event has grown over the years, one thing has remained consistent. It is the volunteers and supporters in the
community that make it a success. Each year, dozens of volunteers secure the wineries and restaurants in attendance,
build the auction lots with remarkable items, and bring the event together on the final day. Event Co-Chairs Rachel Disser
and Rich Janson, are looking forward to seeing the hard work of the committees come to life after two virtual years. Disser
shared that “At the heart of the Wine Auction is the people – those that spend countless hours coordinating the effort,
and those that attend and bid in support of our schools. Everything about the Wine Auction is building community!” This
year, more than ever, Manhattan Beach appears ready for it.
Local businesses also serve as major sponsors of the Wine Auction – from the founding sponsor Chevron, to the Premier
Sponsor Kirkland & Ellis, to the many other generous Platinum sponsors, including Desolation Hotel, First Republic Bank,
Spencer & Weiss Families, Running Point Capital Advisors, and Wells Fargo The Private Bank, along with our Vineyard
Court sponsor J.P. Morgan Private Bank. The Bay Club continues to be a key partner in the event as the inaugural host and
provides significant support to ensure the continued success of the event.
The online Silent Auction opens to the public on Saturday, May 28th featuring a wide array of items, including a LA Rams
VIP package, VIP Floor Tickets to Justin Bieber, and many other items along with over 700 bottles of wines donated by
members of the community and wineries from throughout California. The Live Auction, open only to attendees of the
event, has spectacular packages including an exquisite Blue Sapphire Diamond Pendant Necklace, VIP tickets to the AT&T
Pebble Beach Celebrity Pro-Am via a Challenger Jet, a trip to Napa Valley with private tastings at Arrow&Branch and
Memento Mori Wineries, a 3-night stay at the Four Seasons Resort and Residence Los Cabos at Costa Palmas, and many
more fantastic experiences and rare to find wines. After the Live Auction ends, the dancing will begin on Center Court with
a ten-piece live band.
Each year the MBEF Board of Directors works with district leadership to determine an immediate need to fundraise
for during the Paddle Raise at the Wine Auction. This year, the MBEF Board voted to focus on raising funds to
expand the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) program at all grade levels. MBEF Executive
Director Hilary Mahan shared that MBEF’s important STEM programs currently in place have had a tremendous
impact on student learning, “MakerSpace and Science Lab in all of our elementary schools, STEM electives in the
middle school, and a robust Technology and Engineering program at the high school have inspired our students to
consider how STEM is incorporated into everything they do. The funds raised at the Wine Auction will build on the
momentum to equip our students with more opportunities for exploration and discovery.” More funding for the
2022-23 school year will direct more resources to provide students with a learning environment where an
enthusiasm for STEM will thrive.
Tickets for the 28 th Annual Manhattan Wine Auction sold out within 12 hours of opening at 6am on May 1 st . If
prospective guests did not get tickets this year to the main event, there are two pre-events being held on June 2
with wineries from the Reserve Room. Visit www.manhattanwineauction.com for more information on these
events as well as the Silent Auction.
ABOUT MANHATTAN BEACH EDUCATION FOUNDATION ENDOWMENT
All proceeds from the Manhattan Wine Auction benefit the MBEF Endowment Fund. The Manhattan Beach Education
Foundation Endowment provides critical financial support for MBEF’s mission to enrich teaching and promote innovation
and academic excellence in the public schools of Manhattan Beach. The Endowment provides a stable and consistent
source of funding that avoids fluctuations in the economy and the unpredictability of state funding for education.
enrichment opportunities today and for years to come. Each year, a disbursement from the Endowment supports MBEF
programs for the coming year – in 2021, the disbursement was over $1.1 M to support $5.3 million in programs that
engage students in learning and provides opportunities for discovery in grades TK-12 for the 2021-22 school year.
For more information, please visit www.mbef.org and http://endowment.mbef.org/
For more information about the Manhattan Wine Auction, please visit manhattanwineauction.com