Pouring Into the Future

Raise a glass, lift a life: North Lake Tahoe’s Kiwanis 33rd Annual Wine Tasting & Auction.

A successful community thrives with dedicated volunteer organizations that enhance the well-being of individuals and future generations. The Kiwanis Club of North Lake Tahoe is a prime example of this commitment.

A fixture for positive change in Lake Tahoe, this small but mighty group of volunteers will host its 33rd Annual Wine Tasting & Auction on May 4, 2025, at Sunnyside Resort in Tahoe City. Julie Soules, current North Lake Tahoe Kiwanis president, explains that, as the host of one of Tahoe’s first big spring social events, the Kiwanis members “like to think of our annual fundraiser as the kickoff to wine-tasting season … We always have a fabulous time, and all the money raised stays right here in our community.”

This year’s wine-tasting and auction event promises another stellar opportunity to sip specialty wines and brews with select appetizer pairings, snag some incredible auction items, and support local youth-oriented programs and scholarships — all set against the magnificent backdrop of Lake Tahoe’s shoreline.

Bidding for a Brighter Tomorrow
With generous donations from local businesses and individuals, this year’s auction promises to be lively, featuring vacation packages for multiple locations (aloha, Hawaii!), custom jewelry, original art, golf and ski season passes, the ever-popular fine-dining gift certificates, and much more.

With over $50,000 in auction items and services up for grabs, online bidding starts on April 27, with the live event taking place on May 4. Attendance is encouraged but not required to bid. All proceeds go right back into local community youth and family programs.

Sip and Savor
An impressive lineup of eight award-winning vintners plus a brewery will be serving specialty wines and brews:

Sonoma

Napa

Calistoga

St. Helena

Healdsburg

Lake Tahoe

Sunnyside Resort’s chefs will fire up your taste buds with mini ribs, toasty bruschetta, tangy sliders, and a few surprises. With its classic Tahoe-style architecture of rich wood interiors and a lakefront location, Sunnyside is the premier setting to raise a glass to the community. And, if Mother Nature cooperates, step outside onto the deck for panoramic views of Lake Tahoe’s eastern shores. Vintners will also offer wine purchases and wine club membership sign-ups, so you can keep your vino collection thriving long after the event.

Dress code: Tahoe casual with a spring flair is encouraged.

Reserve Your Ticket
Securing your seat is easy — just scan the QR code below. Advance tickets are $65; after April 28 the price goes to $75. “If you cannot attend the event or miss out on the limited number of tickets, consider making a donation or bidding for your favorite item online. This is our signature project, accounting for 90 percent of our Community Service Budget for each year,” says David Antonucci, 47-year Kiwanis volunteer and auction coordinator.

Special DISCOUNT for edible Reno-Tahoe readers! Use the promo code ERT25 to receive a $5 discount!

From Detroit to Around the World
Kiwanis International was founded in 1915 in Detroit, Mich., and now spans nearly 80 nations and geographic locations. The organization’s founders chose the name         Kiwanis based on a translatable word from the Algonquian Native American language meaning “we build.” Initially created for business networking, Kiwanis soon shifted to serving children and empowering the next generation. Prioritizing health and nutrition, education and literacy, along with youth leadership development, Kiwanis creates a “continuum of impact – helping young people develop throughout childhood and into adulthood  … ultimately creating a generation of leaders who also contribute to that continuum,” according to its website.

The North Lake Tahoe chapter of Kiwanis, cofounded by Antonucci, started in 1981. Since its inception, this group of volunteers has affectionately been known for its lighthearted precision snow shovel drill team performances at past SNOWFEST parades, a youth golf tournament, and a classic car show.

“Having grown up in Kings Beach, it is my honor to serve our community,” Soules says. “Kiwanis provides much-needed funds and support for local youth organizations, including scholarships.”

Lend a Hand, Change a Life
North Lake Tahoe Kiwanis meets on the first Thursday of each month at Rosie’s Cafe in Tahoe City. A range of volunteer opportunities is available, and many volunteers who try it out find themselves hooked — still having fun while making a difference decades later. Over the years, North Lake Tahoe Kiwanis Club and its humble group of around 30 volunteers have raised over $1 million to benefit the local community. According to Kiwanis International, “The average Kiwanian makes an impact on the lives of 106 children.” Now, there’s something a volunteer can take pride in.

Soules adds, “One of my favorite parts of being part of Kiwanis is meeting with the kids we support and seeing firsthand the positive impact we have on the next generation. Plus, we have a lot of fun.”

Check out how to become a member at the organization’s website, Kiwanisnlt.org, or find Kiwanis Club North Lake Tahoe on Facebook.

Both Antonucci and Soules emphasize the importance of investing in tomorrow’s generation. And there’s no better place to start than in your own backyard. So grab a ticket for the 33rd Annual Wine Tasting & Auction, bid on fabulous items, and sip and savor — gorgeous views courtesy of Mother Nature. See you there!

Event Details:
33rd Annual Wine Tasting and Auction
May 4, 2025 noon – 2:30 p.m.
Sunnyside Restaurant 
1850 W. Lake Blvd, Tahoe City
Advance tickets $65; $75 after April 28
Kiwanisnlt.org/club-events