Submitted by Jan Murphy.

Several local artists recently proved that art and compassion make great partners! The A Bear Called Friday Art Sale, Auction and Wine Tasting held at Brickworks June 17 was a huge success, raising over $11,000 to benefit the organization, Animals Asia. The event featured art donated by San Juan Island artists, a silent auction and the wines and ciders of Madrone Cellars.

The money raised go will go toward a goal of $25,000, the amount necessary to sponsor a Moon Bear, rescued from the cruel bile industry in China and Vietnam. The bear sponsored will be named, “Friday” on behalf of the Friday Harbor community and will live out his or her life on a moon bear sanctuary.

Shaun and Amy Salamida, owners of Madrone cellars, have offered to keep the fundraising efforts going and have generously offered to hang several pieces of art donated for the event that are still available for purchase in their tasting room, located at 40 1st Street in Friday Harbor.

Madrone Cellars opened the doors to their tasting room and patio July 4, 2020, offering a wide selection of wines and ciders made in the European way, inspired by French Champagne, Alsatian Dry Whites and Bordeaux Reds. The wines are made with minimal intervention, with a goal of revealing the grape, terroir and story behind each glass.

Madrone Cider works with local farms for their hard cider apples and local ingredients. The local apples are used for special blends and single varietal Hard Ciders. Although the goal is to work with local farms only, Madrone has to source some off-island fruit. For this, they source their apples exclusively from Stemilt Growers in Wenatchee. Only fresh, natural fruits and ingredients are used during production, to preserve the purity of flavor. The tasting room is warm and welcoming and offers wine and cider flights, glass pours, ciders on tap and bottle sales. Visitors can also take advantage of the secluded outdoor wine garden while enjoying a cheese and charcuterie board.

For a limited time, guests can view and purchase artwork by local artists and help save a moon bear life while enjoying Madrone Cellars’ offerings. Tasting room hours are 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday and noon to 8 p.m. Friday through Sunday.