Although we’ve just entered a new decade, we still face many of the same challenges that we have been battling for centuries. To be sure, cancer remains near the top of the list, especially as it continues to affect the lives of so many individuals. Personally, I have seen cancer claim far too many loved ones in recent years, not to mention the other folks I know who have successfully battled this disease. When it came time to determine a worthy cause for this charity raffle, the American Cancer Society seemed like a simple choice.

The idea for this raffle developed after my Q&A with Matt Taylor last month. Shortly after I had posted my blog entry, I had a discussion with Matt’s brother, Sean, about offering their exclusive Matthew D. Taylor Pinot Noir as a means of raising some money for charity. Seeing that Matt and Sean were graceful enough to donate this wine from their own small library, I decided to reach out to my readers and (hopefully) beyond. This raffle presents a great opportunity to win a delicious Pinot Noir that is otherwise available only through strict allocation. Originally, this wine was offered at $45 per bottle, and it was quickly scooped up via the winery’s limited mailing list.

As for the raffle itself, we’re not asking for much, especially considering the terrific prize at stake. The cost is only $3 for a single raffle ticket, which can be purchased via PayPal at the bottom of this page. Naturally, folks can purchase as many tickets as they wish, simply by increasing the donation amount accordingly. We will accept PayPal submissions through February 2010, at which point we will conduct the drawing in March. Although you will receive an email confirmation of your donation, the raffle tickets themselves will be held here in our offices for the drawing.

We have decided to give away each bottle of Matthew D. Taylor Pinot Noir individually, so there may be up to six winners for this contest (however, folks who buy extra tickets may win more than once). We felt that it would be best for this wine to reach as many people as possible, and we hope that you enjoy it with friends and family. We will notify winners via email shortly after the drawing.

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Most people who discover this contest may not be familiar with Matthew D. Taylor wines. The wine pictured above is, in fact, the product of a brand new wine label, and the 2006 Matthew D. Taylor Michaud Vineyard Pinot Noir is the label’s inaugural bottling. When he is not making small lots of delicious terroir-driven Pinot Noir, Matt Taylor is the vineyard manager and winemaker for the famed Araujo Estate, which produces some of the Napa Valley’s top Cabernets every year.

This first offering from Matthew D. Taylor is a tiny, 150-case production, so the wine itself definitely has collector’s potential. The grapes are sourced from the Chalone Appellation of Monterey County, in one of California’s most unique vineyard sites. Here are the wine notes from TaylorCellars.com. Please click on the image below to zoom:

Click on the image above to zoom...

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Simply click the PayPal button below to purchase raffle tickets…

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NOTE: Although all proceeds from this raffle will benefit the American Cancer Society (ACS), it is important to clarify that the ACS is not affiliated with this contest in any official way. Also, only persons 21 years of age or older may enter this contest. The wine will be delivered via UPS, and will require the proper identification and signature before it is released to the winning party. This contest is only available to residents of the United States, and due to strict shipping laws, PA and UT residents are excluded.

Please email any questions to raffle@thirstyreader.com.