Winery hosts ‘Raise a Glass for Hope’ benefit

Award-winning singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Dave Nachmanoff of Davis will join Sundstrom Hill Winery for “Raise a Glass for Hope,” a benefit for Esperanza Rising, a nonprofit charitable and educational foundation based in Davis.

The benefit will take place at the Sundstrom Hill Winery, 2744 Del Rio Place, from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 2.

Esperanza Rising, established in 2007 to provide financial assistance to families employed in agriculture in California, was inspired by the children’s book authored by Pam Munoz Ryan titled, “Esperanza Rising.” The book describes the very difficult conditions endured by families who worked the fields during the Dust Bowl days.

Disappointingly, some 75 years later, some of the same hardships of the 1930s continue to challenge families working in agriculture today, founders Chip and Lynne Sundstrom said in a news release.

One hundred percent of every dollar donated to Esperanza Rising is used to provide financial assistance to low-income families with at least one primary wage earner employed by a California agricultural firm.

Nachmanoff is a session musician doing studio work for others and also appears as a sideman for Al Stewart, as well as acting as “house musician” at folk festivals, sitting in with many performers. He’s shared the stage with Cheryl Wheeler, Steve Forbert, The Pogues, America, Alison Krauss and many others.

Just Plain Folks honored him with the 2001 Songwriter of the Year award and he was named Best Overall in 2002 at the South Florida Folk Festival. Most recently, he was a finalist in the 2011 USA Songwriting Competition.

Growing up in the 1960s and ’70s, he was inspired by Pete Seeger, country rock, early revival folk like the Kingston Trio and, later on, ’80s new wave. Mixed with a bit of Celtic folk rock, it’s clear how he got his rich melodic sound.

The Sundstroms owns Sundstrom Hill Winery, which donates 10 percent of all sales to the foundation. In addition to music and enjoying wine, those attending the March 2 benefit can make a minimum contribution of $10 to Esperanza Rising for a chance to win tickets to a San Francisco Giants game, a magnum of 2010 Sundstrom Hill Private Reserve or a $100 gift certificate to a local restaurant.

For more information, call the winery at 530-574-1296.