OREGON, November 12, 2024 – The Oregon wine community’s premier philanthropic event, ¡Salud! The Oregon Pinot Noir Auction, concluded its 33rd annual celebration with unprecedented success, raising an extraordinary $1.4 million to support healthcare services for vineyard stewards and their families.
The two-day event, held on November 8-9, 2024, at The Clubhouse at Domaine Serene and The Ritz-Carlton, Portland, brought together wine enthusiasts, industry leaders, and philanthropists in a powerful demonstration of community support for Oregon’s vineyard stewards.
“This record-breaking achievement reflects the incredible generosity and commitment of our wine community,” said Stephanie Buchanan, Manager of Development & Communications at Hillsboro Medical Center Foundation. “Every dollar raised translates to three dollars worth of essential healthcare services for the dedicated individuals who are the backbone of the wine industry.”
Auction Highlights
This year’s auction featured several remarkable lots that captured bidders’ enthusiasm:
▪ The highest-grossing lot in ¡Salud! history: A private dinner featuring Chef Aaron Barnett of St. Jack, accompanied by wines from Witness Tree Vineyard and Domaine de la Romanée Conti, raised an unprecedented $60,000, with eight seats selling for $7,500 each.
▪ “Leda’s Legacy,” a tribute lot honoring retiring ¡Salud! Services Manager Leda Garside, garnered $31,000 from 66 supporters, celebrating her nearly three decades of service to the vineyard steward community.
▪ A private tasting experience with winemaker Maggie Harrison, featuring a curated flight of Antica Terra wines, raised $26,750 in the silent auction.
A Touching Farewell
The event marked a poignant milestone as the community celebrated Leda Garside, RN, BSN, MBA, who will retire this year after serving as ¡Salud! Services Manager & Cultural Liaison at Hillsboro Medical Center for over 25 years. The overwhelming support for her legacy lot demonstrates the profound impact she has had on the program and the community.
Continued Impact
Since 1992, ¡Salud! has been delivering no-cost healthcare directly to vineyards, offering bilingual support, preventing medical debt and providing vital health education. The program’s unique collaboration between vintners and healthcare providers continues to serve as a model for agricultural worker healthcare delivery.
The record-breaking funds raised will directly support:
▪ Mobile health outreach services
▪ Bilingual, bicultural healthcare support
▪ Medical debt prevention initiatives
▪ Health education and system navigation assistance
“Whether attendees participated in person, placed bids, or supported from afar, their involvement makes a profound difference in the lives of vineyard workers and their families,” added Buchanan. “Together, we’re not just celebrating exceptional wines – we’re investing in the health and future of our wine community.”
For more information about ¡Salud! or to donate, please visit www.saludauction.org.
About ¡Salud!
¡Salud! is a unique healthcare program of the Hillsboro Medical Center Foundation and a clinical department of Hillsboro Medical Center, an OHSU Health partner. The program provides accessible, affordable healthcare services to Oregon’s vineyard stewards and their families through innovative mobile health outreach, debt reduction initiatives and comprehensive support services.
