Auction closed March 2023

The Roots Fund hosted their second annual The Roots Fund Charity Auction Gala on Sunday, March 5th at Tribeca Rooftop in NYC. The formal event, which has become a must-attend for the wine industry, included a gala dinner, an in-person auction hosted by Zachys, and a virtual auction of wines and experiences donated by world-renowned estates and wineries from all around the world, including Burgundy, Champagne and Napa Valley.

Proceeds from the event and the online auction, both hosted by Zachys, directly support The Roots Fund mission, which is focused on securing a pathway for the BIPOC community in wine through financial support for education, mentorship, and job placement opportunities. This annual fundraiser allows The Roots Fund to expand their educational services in wine.

Key moments of the evening included:

● Host for the evening: Jermaine Stone

● The evening featured a special musical performance by singer/songwriter Susan Carol who just released with PJ Morton that is getting lots of buzz, as well as a song by TRF scholar and

musician Lauren Eylise.

● The Music in the Bottle podcast hosted red-carpet arrival interviews with guests.

● Dinner was prepared by chefs Daniel Eddy (Winner), Joseph L. Paire III (Limewood Bar & Restaurant) and Billy Durney (Hometown Bar-B-Que, Red Hook Tavern)

● The largest Sommelier team of color in the world serving the featured wines for the evening, led by scholar Amy Wright.

● Live auction featured the most exclusive and unique lots of the auction.

● The room was be packed with wine industry icons and innovators including Véronique Boss Drouhin, Channing Frye and Jacob Gray, Robert Bohr, along with TRF Board members Jeremy Seysses of Triennes and Domaine Dujac, Santosh Varghese of Fida Wine, the direct-to-consumer arm of VINTUS, and Carlton McCoy, Jr of Heitz Cellars who will all be in attendance at the 2023 event.

● Honorees celebrated that evening: Christy Frank, Hispanics in Wine, Jermaine Stone, Amy Wright, and Daren Clark.

Created in 2020 by Executive Director Ikimi Dubose-Woodson, Hue Society Founder Tahiirah Habibi, and Master Sommelier and Managing Partner of Lawrence Wine Estates Carlton McCoy, Jr., the nonprofit has supported over 200 scholars to date.