Help Nicole After Eaton Fire

Help Nicole After Eaton Fire

It's heartbreaking to share that our dear friend Nicole, owner of Pasadena Wine Shop and lover of her community, lost her home in the Eaton Fire on Wednesday January 8th. She was in South America with her father at the time, so she was unable to take any of her treasured belongings before the fires took hold. By the time she returned home to Altadena, the structure was completely gone, nothing but ashes remained.

Nicole is known in her community for being the first one to extend a helping hand. She spends every day face-to-face with her community - her wine shop she self-describes as "Cheers where all the bottles are closed". It's truly the place you can go and be known.

It's on trend for a small business owner to put everything into their business and forget to take care of themselves. Sadly, Nicole didn't make the time to get renter's insurance on her home and will have to recover the cost of all her belongings. Much more importantly, she will have to recover the feeling of "home", which will take years to find again.

What's most inspiring is since the fires, Nicole has focused all her energy into bringing free wine to those who lost their homes or businesses in the Eaton Fire. She's created "Relief Wine Sets" through a combination of donating her shop's inventory and collecting donations from partnering wineries. She is the sole owner of her business without investors or partners, and carries the financial weight of her future. Rather than reel in her resources at this time to weather the storm ahead, she is giving more than ever to her community. Nicole has decided to keep her business closed to the general public in the immediate aftermath of the fires, in order to concentrate her efforts in giving back through her Relief Wine Sets.

In giving to Nicole you'd be supporting one of our communities brightest stars in a time where the sky seems darker than ever. Help us help Nicole shine her brightest for the years to come as she continues to bring great wine and genuine hospitality to our community. Thank you!