We are proud to announce that our Bella Mente, Pinot Grigio, Venezie IGT, Italy, is back to benefit the American Brain Tumor Association® (ABTA). Traveling Vineyard will donate $1 from the sale of each bottle of 2016 Bella Mente to ABTA to help fund brain tumor research and education, a cause that is near to our hearts.
Bella Mente, which is Italian for “beautiful mind,” was named in honor of Ted Bohnert, devoted father and friend, and loving husband to Traveling Vineyard Wine Guide Lori Stryker. Ted bravely battled Glioblastoma Multiforme, or GBM, for more than ten months, before passing away in September 2015. He fought a valiant battle marked by a determination to do everything in his power to support brain tumor research. Ted volunteered to participate in as many phase zero experimental clinical trials and research programs as he could, knowing that although his involvement would not benefit him, it could save others in the future.
Lori and Ted at Traveling Vineyard’s Harvest meeting in 2014, just before Ted was diagnosed with Glioblastoma.
“Ted, my hero, fought so, so hard … for what he knew was a losing battle. But he did it so I could have a few more months with him—and more importantly to raise awareness of GBM,” Lori says.
Ted became a hero to many. He donated his organs to transplant patients, and donated his brain to GBM research in the hope of finding a cure. Ted’s legacy of giving back endures through Bella Mente.
Supporting Beautiful Minds Everywhere
Rick Libby, our Chief Grape Stomper, was inspired by Ted and Lori’s story, and subsequently selected a popular varietal—Pinot Grigio—as a charity wine to honor Ted, and fund brain tumor research via ABTA. The first vintage of Bella Mente was launched in 2015, and went on to sell out. Traveling Vineyard was able to donate $36,000 to ABTA with the success of that vintage, and we’re hoping to do it again with our 2016 Bella Mente.
“This company is one big family, and over the years we’ve worked hard to donate as much as we can to help with the advancement of ABTA’s mission,” Rick says.
Lori, who is now a Director with Traveling Vineyard, continues to be a source of inspiration for our organization, sharing Ted’s story with ABTA supporters and within our wine community. In fact, her story and the relaunch of Bella Mente has hit home for Paul Clark, one of our new Wine Guides, whose father, Don Clark, a “proud Kentucky Colonel who was diagnosed with Glioblastoma in August 2013,” passed away in September 2016 at the age of 63.
“When I joined as a Wine Guide, I was so happy to see that Traveling Vineyard was rereleasing its charity wine, Bella Mente, as a way to remember all of the beautiful minds who have been affected by this horrible disease. I’m so thankful that TV is such a loving and giving company! Each bottle that I promote feels like I’m honoring my father in some small way,” Paul says.
We hope that, together, we can make a difference in brain tumor research and advocacy in a BIG way. Our 2016 Bella Mente, Pinot Grigio, Venezie IGT, Italy, is exclusively sold through Traveling Vineyard Wine Guides. Contact us to find your local Wine Guide.
ABOUT THE AMERICAN BRAIN TUMOR ASSOCIATION
Founded in 1973, the American Brain Tumor Association was first national patient advocacy organization committed to funding brain tumor research and providing education and information for people of all tumor types and all ages. For more information, visit www.abta.org or call 800-886-ABTA (2282).