Continuing on the impactful results of the past two years, we are again offering two $25,000 grants to individuals or organizations committed to the betterment of their neighborhoods, cities or towns. We have reviewed submissions for our annual Mark of Distinction grants initiative and have chosen ten finalists. Go to Markham Mark of Distinction to view the finalists and cast your vote.

The ten finalists and their projects who are under consideration include:

Autism Gooddeedworks
Marcy A. - Phoenix, AZ

Community Furniture Bank
Chris Y. - Birmingham, AL

Eriealert.com
Chief Larry D. - Erie, PA

Harvest Against Hunger
David B. - Seattle, WA

I Heart Inc.
Arrica R. - Los Angeles, CA

The New Freret.com
Kelly G. - New Orleans, LA

Peer Support Network
Cathy H.- Boca Raton, FL

Sebastian Lions Club
Norman M. - Sebastian, FL

Swan Center Outreach
John L. - Silverthorne, CO

Trinity Cafe
Cindy D. - Tampa, FL

The Markham Mark of Distinction program is designed to cultivate positive change by awarding funds to help spearhead or continue community efforts. Submissions range from repairing dilapidated parks, to funding research, to creating a community center. The public votes to determine two grant recipients, who will each be awarded $25,000 to make a lasting change – a “Mark of Distinction” – in their communities.

In addition to providing grants, Markham Vineyards will also produce two single-vineyard, limited production Estate Cabernet Sauvignon wines appropriately named The Philanthropist and The Altruist in honor of the grant recipients. To celebrate and raise awareness of each, project information will be highlighted on the back labels of these wines. The 2008 vintage, featuring this year’s grant recipients, will be released in Fall 2011.

Markham Vineyards President Bryan Del Bondio presents a grant to 2008 recipient Table to Table of Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ.

Markham Vineyards: One of Napa Valley's First Wineries

Bordeaux immigrant Jean Laurent came to California in 1852 to seek gold, but instead founded one of the first wineries in Napa Valley. Laurent built his first winery in 1874, a modest wooden structure. Business was good, and in 1879 he built the stone cellar that is the heart of the present-day winery. Laurent was one of the largest producers in the 1880’s California wine boom. In those days, wines were sold in bulk, and shipped by train to the east coast. After Laurent’s death in 1890, the winery continued operating under a succession of owners.

Bruce Markham arrived in Napa Valley almost 100 years later, also looking to start a winery. He purchased vineyards in Yountville, Oak Knoll and Calistoga and the old Laurent winery, which was operating as a cooperative at the time. In 1978, he founded Markham Vineyards and the old Laurent winery was reborn.

Markham focused on Cabernet Sauvignon in its early days and introduced the Markham Merlot with the 1980 vintage. From 1978 to 1988 the winery's production increased from 3,500 cases to 20,000 cases. The wine quality and praise from wine critics and consumers increased as well.

In 1988, the old Laurent Winery once again rose like a phoenix to take on another new life. The winery was sold to Mercian Corporation and began an ambitious four-year, multi-million dollar renovation, expansion and vineyard-replanting program. These efforts would more than double the capacity and make Markham one of the most advanced, stunning winemaking facilities in the country. Even through the dust of the renovation, Markham was able to produce three of the number-one rated wines from California, as judged by Wine Spectator magazine.