There’s no better time to give back than the holidays — known more commonly in the philanthropic world as “giving season.” Nearly 40 percent of charitable donations are made during the last six months of the year, according to the National Philanthropic Trust, one of the largest grant-making institutions in the U.S. Americans are generous when it comes to giving back; in 2015, Americans donated more than $373 billion to charity, equivalent to about 2 percent of U.S. GDP.
While it may seem that the majority of people prioritize sending and receiving presents during the holiday season, there are a vast number of people who prefer to give the most meaningful gifts of all: donating to charities and organizations for a cause.
In the spirit of Thanksgiving, we’re sharing five notable wine and spirits companies that are all about giving back. Read on to explore some of our top picks and let us know which ones we’re missing.
1. Simple Vodka
In America, 1 out of 7 adults, and 1 out of 5 children, aren’t sure where their next meal is coming from. Simple Vodka has made it its mission to fight food insecurity and to help reduce the number of food-insecure people in the country from 40 million to zero. For every bottle of vodka sold, the company provides 20 meals to those in need through its direct support of local and national hunger relief organizations. The vodka itself is made from quality ingredients — 9.5 pounds of farm-fresh, locally sourced, Idaho potatoes and water that comes directly from the Snake River aquifer. Simple Vodka has won the Double Gold seal from the San Fransisco World Spirits competition two years in a row. Since Simple Vodka’s launch in 2017, the company has provided more than 600,000 meals to those in need.
2. Purple Heart Wines
Transitioning from life on the front lines to the homefront has proven to be a challenging task for many military veterans. The Mondavi family of Purple Heart Wines knows that all too well. Several Mondavi family members have served in various branches of the military during different wars, including WWII, and re-adjusting to life at home was not without its challenges. The company donates a portion of the proceeds from their red blend to the Purple Heart Foundation, which provides support to military veterans. The foundation does everything from helping veterans obtain service dogs to providing educational scholarships and resources for treating PTSD. It also helps fund research that seeks to heal traumatic brain injuries.
3. Edrington
Edrington makes some of the world’s best-loved Scotch whiskies and has several strategic partnerships with the makers of other premium tequilas, vodkas, rums, and whiskies. While promoting and developing the spirits in its portfolio is the company’s main focus, Edrington remains whole-heartedly devoted to giving back. Edrington donates 1 percent of its pre-tax profits to charitable organizations chosen by its staff. To date, $325.5 million has been donated to various charitable causes. Additionally, the company gives every employee three days of paid time off to use for volunteering, and double matches the amount of money any employee raises for a charitable cause. Support the company’s charitable habits this holiday season by grabbing a bottle of Macallan Whiskey, Partida Tequila, Snow Leopard Vodka, or Brugal Premium Rum.
4. Dreaming Tree Wines
Winemaking requires a lot of energy. When it’s not done right, the process can be incredibly damaging for the planet. This is why Dreaming Tree Wines founders Dave Matthews and Seam McKenzie are committed to making sure their product is a sustainable one. Their winery is a Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing winery and has the largest solar footprint in the U.S. wine industry thanks to the 17,000 solar panels they use. Additionally, Dreaming Tree has donated $1.5 million to environmental organizations like The Wilderness Society, Living Lands and Waters, and the International Rhino Foundation. Give one of the Dreaming Tree Wines gift sets to a wine-lover on your list this holiday season to support the company’s ongoing dedication to making the planet a better place for all of us.
5. Relief Wines
Ryan Waugh is a first-generation winemaker in Napa Valley and the head winemaker at Waugh Family Wines. In 2018, Waugh, alongside his wife Crystal, started Relief Wines a 501(c)3 non-profit that donates 100 percent of its proceeds to causes close to the family’s heart. The brand currently supports three charities: Habitat for Humanity Wildfire Rebuild, Camp Esperanza, and Breaking Cycles. You can choose which cause your money supports by purchasing a bottle associated with the affiliated charity. To date, the company has raised more than $50,000 dollars for these causes, dramatically affecting the lives of hundreds of individuals and their families.
Interested in working at a company for a cause? Explore our BevForce division.