For five years, Oregon Wine Experience® has attracted thousands of patrons from around the world to experience the superior culinary and wine creations Oregon is home to. World-renowned judges evaluate the incredible wines the state has to offer through the Oregon Wine Competition, and these wines are celebrated, and consumed, during the August mega-event. For the first time ever, a Northern winery reaped a Best of Show medal for the “red” category, alongside two Southern Oregon vintners. These wines, along with the other 82 medal winners, left an impression with the judges: that Oregon has some of the best wines in the world. Though, it’s important to note that the breadth and depth of this event spans beyond the vines.

As Asante Foundation’s signature event, Oregon Wine Experience demonstrates a key differentiator among other like-events. While celebrating premier local wineries and top culinary talent, 100 percent of the proceeds benefit charity, locally. In 2019, Oregon Wine Experience generated more than $1.7 million for Asante Children’s Miracle Network and other health care programs at Asante—proving to be one of the fastest-growing charitable wine events in the country.

As one of 170 Children’s Miracle Network hospitals in the country, Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center is the only primary care center for children in Northern California and Southern Oregon with a dedicated Pediatric Department, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Pediatric Oncology Department and a Maternal Fetal Clinic—a key regional destination for compassionate care. This year, attendees will experience an exciting shift and realize their participation with Oregon Wine Experience will have an even greater impact through “AsanteForward,” a $50 million capital campaign that will transform the quality and scope of health care in our region. A component of this campaign is to build a new women’s and children’s hospital within a hospital. Having this area of excellence will provide patients in our region with access to world-class health care.

“Proceeds from Oregon Wine Experience are more impactful than ever as Asante plans, and grows, for decades from now. We will have more room, better technology and more efficiency to care for patients in a space specifically designed for them,” says Andrea Reeder, Campaign Director, Asante Foundation.

The AsanteForward Women’s and Children’s Health Initiative includes the following enhancements:

• 14 new Labor and Delivery rooms
• 2 new C-Section rooms
• 16 Private NICU rooms
• Co-location of all pediatric services
• Outpatient pediatric infusions
• A special care nursery with private rooms
• A designated area for an OB Emergency Department
• Advanced medical therapies and specialized treatment for women of all ages and stages

The women’s and children’s hospital will have its own designated entrance and elevator to enhance safety for patients, all housed in the top two floors of a new patient pavilion that will be home to several areas of excellence.

“As attendees sip their award-winning wine next year, they’ll also be helping Asante transform the future of health care for patients in our region. There are few events that bring together a community like Oregon Wine Experience does,” says Floyd Harmon, Executive Director, Asante Foundation.

Oregon Wine Experience continues to grow year-over-year and so does its impact—a pinnacle opportunity for wineries and our community to be a part of.

We’ll see you in August under the tent!

©Southern Oregon Wine Scene – from the Spring 2020 issue