TL;DR: In April and May 2023, Etude Wines partnered with Charlie's Acres, a Sonoma-based farm animal sanctuary founded by Tracy Vogt in 2016. For every new social media follower gained during the campaign period, Etude pledged a donation. The campaign resulted in a $5,000 donation to Charlie's Acres. The sanctuary is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit that rescues, rehabilitates, and provides permanent homes for farm animals in Sonoma County.
A Partnership Rooted in Shared Values
Etude has been a steward of the land since founding in 1982. Our sustainability commitments, including Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing, Napa Green Winery, Fish Friendly Farming, and Climate Adaptation Certifications, reflect a belief that how we farm matters as much as what we produce. The health of the soil, the wildlife that depends on it, and the community that surrounds it are all part of the same ecosystem.
That belief is what drew us to Charlie's Acres.
Charlie's Acres is a Sonoma farm animal sanctuary dedicated to rescuing animals who might otherwise have no future, giving them a permanent home, and building genuine human connection with the animals who live there. The values that guide their work, compassion, stewardship, and community, are values Etude recognizes and shares.
The Campaign: $5,000 to Charlie's Acres
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Campaign period | April and May 2023 |
| Campaign mechanic | Donation per new social media follower gained |
| Total donation | $5,000 |
| Recipient | Charlie's Acres, Sonoma, California |
| Organization type | 501(c)(3) nonprofit |
| Founded | 2016 |
| Founder | Tracy Vogt |
Throughout April and May 2023, Etude pledged to donate to Charlie's Acres for every new follower gained on social media. The response from our community was immediate and generous. Thanks to the support of new followers who joined during the campaign, Etude donated $5,000 to Charlie's Acres.
It is a straightforward reminder of what a community can do when it moves together toward something that matters.
About Charlie's Acres
Charlie's Acres was founded by Tracy Vogt, who spent her life as an animal lover long before she became a sanctuary founder. She grew up volunteering at local animal shelters and rescuing dogs and cats, including a very special chihuahua named Charlie, for whom the sanctuary is named.
Tracy grew up in an agricultural community and was introduced to farmed animals from an early age. Over time she recognized how underrepresented farm animals are, even within the broader animal rescue world. She set out to create something different: a place that provides rescued farm animals with permanent, loving homes, and equally importantly, a place where people can come to meet those animals, hear their stories, and form a genuine connection with them.
The Vogt family purchased and donated the property in Sonoma in 2016, along with initial construction and operating costs. Charlie's Acres operates as a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit and relies on public donations to sustain its programs and continue its rescue work.
Why This Partnership Matters to Etude
The connection between Etude and Charlie's Acres goes deeper than a single campaign. At Grace Benoist Ranch, our estate vineyard in the Carneros AVA, animals are an active part of how we farm. Sheep graze between vine rows to naturally manage ground cover. Owls and raptors control rodent populations without chemical intervention. Beneficial insects including ladybugs and lacewings protect the vines from pests. The health of our ecosystem depends on the animals that are part of it.
Partnering with an organization that extends that care to animals beyond the vineyard fence feels like a natural extension of the Pour & Protect commitment we bring to everything we do.
FAQs: Etude and Charlie's Acres
What is Charlie's Acres?
Charlie's Acres is a farm animal sanctuary located in Sonoma, California, founded by Tracy Vogt in 2016. It rescues farm animals, provides them with permanent homes, and connects the public with those animals through visits and community programming. It is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
How did Etude's partnership with Charlie's Acres work?
During April and May 2023, Etude pledged to donate to Charlie's Acres for every new social media follower gained. The campaign raised a $5,000 donation from Etude to the sanctuary.
Why did Etude choose to partner with Charlie's Acres?
Etude's sustainability mission extends beyond the vineyard to the broader community and ecosystem. Charlie's Acres shares Etude's values of compassion, stewardship, and connection to the land and the animals that inhabit it. The sanctuary's Sonoma location also places it in the same wine country community Etude has been part of since 1982.
How can I support Charlie's Acres?
Charlie's Acres is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that relies on public donations. You can learn more and donate at charliesacres.org.
How does Etude support animals in its own operations?
At Grace Benoist Ranch, Etude integrates animals as an active part of sustainable farming. Sheep graze between vine rows, owls and raptors manage pests naturally, and beneficial insects including ladybugs and lacewings protect the vines. These practices reduce the need for chemical inputs and support the health of the overall ecosystem.
How can I follow Etude Wines on social media?
Follow Etude on Instagram at @EtudeWines to stay connected with future partnerships, wine releases, and sustainability updates.
Learn more about Etude's sustainability commitments at etudewines.com/pages/sustainability.