Founder // Beckstoffer Vineyards COVID-19 Relief

Philanthropy in Napa Valley

Few have made a more significant impact on the evolution of Northern California’s wine industry than Andy Beckstoffer and the company he founded leader during times of crises. In 2015, in 1970 at the age of 30, Beckstoffer Vineyards. For 50 years, he has forged major shifts in the way the wine industry values land, grapes, and farmers, and in doing so, has helped Napa Valley and California to find their spot on the global wine stage. He has also proven to be a Beckstoffer Vineyards pledged $50,000 to the #LakeCountyRising fundraising campaign following the devastating Valley Fire. This donation and those of other individuals and private companies eventually raised more than $1,000,000 for #LakeCountyRising.  Most  recently, he helped to ease some of the COVID-19 economic fallout experienced by Napa’s hourly workforce by donating $100,000 directly to individuals most in need in Napa, Mendocino, and Lake Counties. More than 100 checks of $300 each were provided amongst the three counties, totaling approximately $33,000 per county. The Chambers of Commerce of each county determined which individuals and families received the checks, primarily earmarked for hourly workers who lost their jobs due to layoffs, including hotel housekeepers, dishwashers, waitstaff, busboys, and more. The checks were issued directly to individuals without administrative  costs or fees. “With restaurant closures and reduced tourism, we recognize that many in the hospitality industry have been suddenly laid off, meaning that many of the already lowest wage earners have now lost their income completely,” said Beckstoffer. “We care about the people who  work  in the counties where we farm, and we hope that our donation inspires other individuals and companies to contribute additional much-needed funds.”

Article By: Fran Miller