What’s New at Shafer

SHAFER TEAMS WITH STANLEY CUP WINNING CAROLINA HURRICANES OFFERING RELENTLESS FOR LSS

Winery donates Syrah in honor of coach Laviolette’s neighbor, Julia Rowe

Napa Valley, Calif., June 2006 – In a one-of-a-kind partnership between hockey and fine wine, Shafer Vineyards and the 2006 Stanley Cup winners, Carolina Hurricanes, have teamed up to help fight leukemia and lymphoma.

The Caroline Hurricanes offered bottles of Shafer’s 2003 Relentless (Syrah/Petite Sirah) during Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals against the Edmonton Oilers to the first 20 fans who made a minimum $200 donation to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Eastern North Carolina chapter.

Head Coach Peter Laviolette personally autographed each bottle and a red “Relentless” wristband was included with the limited production wine.

The effort raised $25,000 with plans to use additional bottles for future fundraising events.

Shafer donated four cases of the wine (48 bottles) after hearing Laviolette describe his neighbor’s fight against Leukemia and his personal efforts to raise money to fight the disease during his post-game press conference after the Hurricanes clinched the Eastern Conference championship in early June.
 
“What coach Laviolette did at his press conference was to bring enormous attention to the families and individuals suffering with lymphoma and leukemia,” said Doug Shafer, president of Shafer Vineyards. “It sure got our attention. Here at Shafer Vineyards, many of us are parents with young children and Julia’s story and relentless spirit touched us deeply and made us want to do something to help.”
 
Laviolette was inspired to raise money to wipe out blood cancers by his neighbor and family friend, Julia Rowe, who is fighting Leukemia. Julia Rowe’s parents, Mark and Kate, gave Laviolette a bottle of Shafer “Relentless” earlier this year, with Julia’s signature on the side. Julia’s story, and the bottle that represents it, have been sources of inspiration for Laviolette and the Hurricanes players.

The story has been carried in major media outlets including USA Today, Associated Press, Reuters, CNN.com, SportsIllustrated.com, OLN and NBC television.
  
“It is an honor to participate with the Rowe family and with the Hurricanes to bring hope and support to families caught in the struggle of this disease,” said Shafer.
 
In April, the Hurricanes began handing out red wristbands with the word "Relentless" to fans who donated at least $2 to LLS’s Eastern North Carolina branch. Laviolette will personally match the first $10,000 in funds raised through the program. Bands and collection boxes are located at the Kids ‘N Community Foundation booth and ticket sales and promotions kiosks on the main level of the arena at all home games. Out-of-town fans who wish to make a donation to LLS and acquire a wristband should mail a minimum donation of $5 to: Carolina Hurricanes Kids 'N Community Foundation, 1400 Edwards Mill Road, Raleigh, NC 27607. Please indicate that the donation is for LLS.
 
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is a national voluntary health agency dedicated to curing leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and melanoma, and to improving the quality of life of patients and their families. The Society was established in 1949 as The de Villiers Foundation. In 2000, the Society changed its name from The Leukemia Society of America to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to emphasize its commitment to fighting all blood cancers. For more information on The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Eastern North Carolina Chapter, click here or call Tiffany 919-875-8252, ext. 100.
 
For more information on the Carolina Hurricanes, visit: www.CarolinaHurricanes.com.