Sonoma wineries raise of record number of toys for Toys for Tots over the weekend. Sonoma wineries filed grape gondolas more than doubling last year’s numbers with a record 2,060 pounds of toys set by Jordan Winery.

The head-to-head competition between wineries of the Alexander Valley and Russian River Valley, battling to see which wine region could fill its massive grape gondola with the most toys and coats for local children in need, ended  with more than a ton of toys donated. Russian River Valley won the challenge by just 20 pounds with 1,040 of donations to Alexander Valley’s 1,020 pounds for a grand total of 2,060 pounds.

Hosted by John Jordan of Jordan Vineyard & Winery of Alexander Valley and Judy Jordan of J Vineyards & Winery of Russian River Valley, the three-week toy drive benefited Toys for Tots and drew nearly 20 wineries. More than 50 community members turned out at the grand finale gondola weigh-in event, as each team’s behemoth, vintage grape gondola painted like Santa’s sleighs and overflowing with toys, pulled up to Jordan Winery’s scale house in Healdsburg for the official weigh-in. U.S. Marine Reservists, leaders of Sonoma County’s Toys for Tots program, were also on hand to help wineries load last-minute donations into the gondolas.

John Jordan, CEO of Jordan Vineyard & Winery

“My sister Judy may have won this year, but we’ll be back. But, in all honesty, the children are the real winners. Thanks so much to all the wineries for coming together to support this worthy cause during the holidays.”

Participating wineries included: Alexander Valley Winegrowers Association, Chalk Hill Estate Vineyards & Winery, Francis Ford Coppola Winery, Ferrari-Carano, Lancaster Estate, Munselle Vineyards, Robert Young Estate Winery, Stryker Sonoma and Silver Oak Cellars (Alexander Valley); DeLoach Vineyards, Dutton Goldfield, Hartford Court, Lasseter Family Winery, Moshin Vineyards, Papapietro Perry, Rodney Strong Vineyards, Sunce Winery and Twomey Cellars (Russian River Valley).

Santa Rosa-based U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots will distribute the donations this week in Santa Rosa, Windsor, Healdsburg, Guerneville, Forestville, Sonoma, Rohnert Park and Petaluma.