Now one of the largest events of its kind in the county, Alpine Kiwanis and the Alpine Kiwanis Foundation is holding its Annual Vintage Alpine fundraising event at Summer Past Farms on May 7. This annual fundraiser raises money for children in the region, and the Kiwanis are looking for restaurants, wineries, and sponsors for the event.
Kiwanis member and past president Alfonso Martinez said the event usually draws around 500 people, with the exception of during the pandemic, but believes this year the event will be back in full attendance again.
“The funds are used to support youth in our community,” he said. “We support the Engineering Club at Joan McQueen Middle School that competes locally and nationally, we support two Key Clubs, one in the Mountain View area, and the other at Granite Hills High School. Our Key Club at Granite Hills, we support them with some of their activities and we provide scholarships. They get involved in the community with projects. They go to the Alpine Community Center and help out with certain events, and they help us with our Annual Vintage Alpine event. When we have events like kite flying, pancake breakfasts, they come in and help us with the event. We have a scholarship at Granite Hills for kids at risk, and on an annual basis we try to identify one or two kids that are at risk, and if they finish high school, we provide their first year’s tuition to a community college so they can move forward to a university to continue their education.”
Martinez said it already has restaurants, wineries and sponsors, but need more to pull off the event in usual style.
“Last time we had about 20 wineries and 20 restaurants that showed up,” he said. “We are working on more wineries and restaurants because that is what makes the entire event. It is an event for the community, so we get support from businesses and people who are not wineries and restaurants, but they can contribute to the event as a sponsor and advertise on our pamphlet and our website for their business. And we need ticket sales. Locally, Postal Annex here in Alpine has tickets,” adding that tickets can be purchased online at www. VintageAlpine.org, or by contacting VintageAlpine@ AlpineKiwanis.org, and personal contacts for tickets are on its website.
“The Vintage Alpine event now features tasting of wine, food and beer. It includes a soothing atmosphere filled with fun and music,” he continued. “There is also a silent auction featuring gifts from our supportive vendors. Wine is presented for tasting by San Diego County’s finest wineries. Delicious food is presented for tasting by a number of our east county finest local restaurants. In 2022 Vintage Alpine had three local breweries serving a taste of their savoring beer and we expect all three to be at the 2023 event. All this under three large commercial tents with ample seating. We also hold a silent auction from donations from the community. Rain or shine Vintage Alpine will be there for your enjoyment.”
Martinez said the event idea came from the late Alpine Kiwanis member Al Haven and his wife Sharon in 1990.
“The first event was held in 1990 on the parking lot between what is now La Carreta Mexican Restaurant and what was then a bank building. Al Haven and friends supplied wine for tasting and likely a winery or two also participated. In 1990, grape growing, and wine making was in its infancy in San Diego County. In 1991, Vintage Alpine held its event in the parking lot which is in front of the current CVS. Again, Al Haven and friends brought wine from their wine collection along with a few wineries to participate. Both the 1990 and 1991 events were a success and San Diego East County had a wine tasting event. It was at about this time that Al Haven formed his Founders Table for Vintage Alpine and each year since then Vintage Alpine has had a Founders table providing wine from Al Haven’s and friends wine collection. In 2022 Sharon Haven presented the Founders Table in memory of her late husband, Al Haven.” In 1993, the Alpine Kiwanis moved Vintage Alpine to its current venue at Summer Past Farms.
“Our wineries and restaurants love the location, and Marshall and Sheryl Lozier have been really supportive of this event,” he said.
Visit vintagealpine.org for information on the event, tickets, vendor participation and sponsorship opportunities. Early ticket sales at a bargain. Vintage Alpine set for Sunday, May 7, 2023, from 1-4 p.m. at Summers Past Farms and the proceeds support the Alpine Kiwanis youth and community programs. Summers Past Farms is located at 1562 Olde Hwy 80, Flinn Springs.
