St. George Wine Club becomes nonprofit organization

Wrapping up its first fiscal year as a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization, the St. George Wine Club has distributed nearly $10,000 to local charities and performing artists throughout Washington County. With a focus on supporting local arts, education programs, and underserved members of the community, the wine club donates the proceeds from each month’s social gatherings to a worthy cause.

The St. George Wine Club was founded in 2011 by Phil Loomis, a retired high-tech executive who relocated from Seattle to St. George with his wife, Kit. Seeking to connect with friends who shared their passion for fine wines, the couple originally invited neighbors to visit their home and sample their favorite vintages. Within a year, as those friends invited other friends, the original group grew to approximately 50, meeting monthly at each other’s residences. Since those early days, the club has followed a similar tradition: Each month members bring a bottle of their preferred wine and an appetizer and make a small donation to cover the cost of plates, glasses, and other expenses. Membership in the St. George Wine Club has always been and continues to be free.

In August of 2014, Loomis recruited St. George newcomers Doug and Marianne Hamilton — both Silicon Valley transplants — to take over the management of the club. Given the burgeoning ranks of retirees from other states who enjoy wine, the membership of the club has since seen rapid growth. Today, nearly 1,000 Washington County residents hold membership in the St. George Wine Club with an average of 150 attending the monthly members-only socials held at various public and private venues.

Longtime volunteers and supporters of the arts who wished to make a contribution to their new community, the Hamiltons have since transitioned the St. George Wine Club into a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit entity, the SGWC Foundation. The foundation is registered with A.R.T.S., Inc. which handles all financial transactions for the club and helps distribute funds averaging $500 to local charities each month.

Furthering the SGWC’s support for the arts, each social typically showcases a musical act selected from southern Utah’s diverse talent pool. In 2015, it hosted a dance recital by St. George Dance Company, a performance by electric cello duo Rosin, and a private concert with former U.S. national fingerstyle guitar champion Chris Proctor. Past events also have featured Harry O, Jim Sevy, and Jake Shephard.

In its first fiscal year as a nonprofit, the St. George Wine Club has contributed to such organizations as Switchpoint, the Dove Center, Dixie State University’s art department, P.A.W.S., the Elks Foundation’s scholarship fund, The Space Between Theater Company, St. George Opera Company, Sarah’s Community Art Project for Kids, the Laughing Cactus Puppetry Guild of Southern Utah, and the Southern Utah Song Writers Association.

The St. George Wine Club is currently enjoying its summer recess and will resume its social calendar in September. For information about membership, visit stgeorgewineclub.org, refer to the club’s Facebook page, or send email to info@stgeorgewineclub.org.