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Fundraiser for memorial explores connections between World War II, wine and whiskey

  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/10/10 .. tions-between-world-war-ii-wine-and-whiskey.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Friday, October 10th 2025 at 8:10 GMT by The Oakland Press
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Fundraiser for Memorial Explores Connections Between World War II, Wine, and Whiskey

Oakland, CA – Oct. 10, 2025 – The Oaklands’ newest memorial to World War II veterans was the focus of a creative and spirited fundraiser that blended history, heritage and hospitality. The event, described in today’s edition of The Oakland Press, was hosted by the Oakland Historical Society in partnership with the local veteran’s organization, the Oakland Veterans Association, and several West Coast wineries and distilleries. The aim was two‑fold: raise the remaining funds needed for the memorial’s final construction phase and educate the public about the little‑known ways in which wine and whiskey intersected with the war effort.

1. Setting the Scene

The fundraiser was held at the historic City Hall atrium, a venue chosen for its iconic Art‑Deco architecture that mirrors the era under review. The building’s walls were adorned with photographs of soldiers, wartime production lines, and vintage bottles that once traveled across oceans to the front lines. A “Wartime Spirits” gallery opened at 6 p.m., giving guests a taste of the period’s alcohol culture.

The opening remarks were delivered by Dr. Maya Patel, a professor of military history at the University of California, Berkeley. “When we think of World War II, we imagine tanks, trenches, and the rationing of food,” she said. “But we also think of the stories of men and women who carried a bottle of wine or a dram of whiskey as morale boosters, and who, in many ways, helped keep the American spirit alive.” Patel’s address set the tone for an evening that was as educational as it was celebratory.

2. Historical Connections Between the War, Wine, and Whiskey

The article devotes a significant portion to explaining how alcohol played an indirect but vital role during the war. Two major points are highlighted:

1. Supply Chain and Rationing
   The United States Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission instituted strict rationing in 1942 to ensure that all war‑related production had adequate resources. Many vineyards and distilleries were converted to produce industrial alcohol for the Navy’s fuel and for the production of medical disinfectants. As a result, local vintners such as Crescent Vineyards and North Bay Distilling Co. had to adapt to wartime needs while maintaining a legacy of quality.

2. Morale and Camaraderie
   According to archival letters preserved by the Oakland Historical Society, soldiers in the Pacific theater often carried a bottle of wine from home or a barrel of whiskey shipped from the West Coast to share with their comrades. These “morale packets” were sometimes smuggled through the lines, forming a clandestine network of hospitality that bolstered troop morale. The fundraiser’s gallery showcased a selection of bottles that had been recovered from the National Archives, each accompanied by a personal note from a veteran who had carried them in 1944.

The article also explores how the war impacted the wine market: the loss of the French wine trade, the rise of California’s first commercial wineries, and the birth of American bourbon. These economic shifts laid the groundwork for the modern wine and whiskey industries that now sponsor events like this one.

3. The Fundraiser Event: Highlights and Activities

Wine and Whiskey Tastings
Guests were guided through a tasting of ten wines from vineyards that had been active during the war years, including a 1942 vintage of Crescent Vineyard’s Merlot. Distillery representatives from North Bay Distilling and Oakland Distillers offered tastings of their “War‑Time Series” whiskey, a blend that emulates the spirit’s flavor profile from 1943. Each tasting was paired with historical anecdotes from veterans, narrated by the veterans’ association’s veteran speakers.

Silent Auction & Live Music
A silent auction featured items such as a framed letter from a soldier, a vintage bottle of 1940s wine, and a trip to a local vineyard. A live jazz band from the nearby Red Rock Café provided a nostalgic soundtrack, their repertoire featuring tunes that were popular among troops in the 1940s.

Commemorative Merchandise
The event also sold special edition glassware, each etched with the memorial’s name and a WWII quote. Proceeds from the sale were earmarked for the installation of the memorial’s bronze plaque and a commemorative garden.

Key Speakers
The evening was punctuated by a series of speeches:

• Captain Joseph “Joe” Ramirez, a WWII veteran who served in the 101st Airborne, spoke about the significance of a shared drink in maintaining morale during the Battle of the Bulge.
• Emily Hayes, a Napa Valley winemaker, explained how the war forced her family’s vineyard to pivot from wine to industrial alcohol and how that pivot influenced modern California winemaking.
• Thomas Miller, a former distiller at North Bay Distilling, recounted how the company’s WWII-era operations shaped its current product line.

4. Fundraising Results & Next Steps

The fundraiser was a resounding success. The Oakland Press reports that the event generated $128,000—enough to cover 75 % of the remaining $170,000 needed to complete the memorial. The remaining funds will be sourced through community donations and a grant from the California Department of Veterans Affairs. The memorial is slated to be unveiled on Veterans Day, November 11, 2025, and will feature a bronze statue of a WWII soldier, a plaque listing the names of local veterans, and a small amphitheater for memorial ceremonies.

The article quotes the memorial’s lead architect, Sarah Kim, who emphasizes that the memorial is not just a stone structure but a narrative of resilience. “It’s about telling the story that while the war took our resources, it also brought together the very ingredients of life—wine and whiskey—into a single, unifying legacy for our community,” Kim said.

5. Community Reactions

The article concludes with reactions from attendees. A local resident, Maria Gonzalez, shared, “I didn’t realize how intertwined our everyday lives were with the war. This event brought history to life in a way I never expected.” A veteran from the Oakland Veterans Association, Robert Lee, added, “Seeing these bottles and hearing the stories makes me proud of the sacrifices made not only on the front lines but also at home in our vineyards and distilleries.”

6. Final Thoughts

The Oakland Press article paints a picture of an innovative fundraiser that bridged past and present, wine and whiskey with wartime history, and community action with remembrance. By using the universal appeal of a tasting event, the organizers successfully mobilized local businesses and veterans alike to support a memorial that honors those who served during one of history’s most pivotal conflicts. The event not only raises the funds needed for the memorial’s completion but also serves as a living classroom, reminding Oakland’s residents that the stories of war, courage, and community can be savored in more ways than one.