Tickets on sale August 15, 2025

Raise a Glass for Literacy

A Community Fundraiser for Monterey County Free Libraries

Make an Early Impact. Enjoy VIP Access.
Choose a Donor or Sponsor package to support literacy and unlock exclusive event perks.

Meet the Authors who Love our Libraries

Event Tickets Include

  • 2 Wine Tickets

  • Light Bites, Dessert, and Coffee

  • Meet our Keynote Speaker: Rachelle Escamilla

  • Library Tour of Carmel Valley Library

  • Meet Local Authors sharing their work and book signing at our Garden Story Telling Stations

  • Exclusive and Unique Auction

Raise a glass and wander through a garden of Storyteller Stations, where local authors—each with a deep love for libraries—bring their books to life through conversation, signing, and connection.

Looking for the perfect gift? Visit our local author Storyteller Stations and pick up a personally signed book—just in time for holiday giving!

Elevate Your Support as a VIP Donor

As a VIP Donor, you’re not just supporting libraries—you’re stepping into an exclusive experience at Words & Wine. Enjoy premium drink tickets, a special welcome package featuring signed books and a branded tote, plus exclusive invites to library tours, priority registration for author talks and special events, and regular impact updates throughout the year.

Elevate Your Impact as a Words & Wine Sponsor

As a Sponsor, you're not just promoting your business—you’re aligning with a powerful cause at Words & Wine. Enjoy VIP seating, premium drink tickets, and a custom welcome package featuring signed books and branded materials. Sponsors also receive year-round visibility, invitations to exclusive library events, and the chance to showcase your commitment to literacy, learning, and community across Monterey County.

Keynote Speaker

Rachelle Escamilla

Monterey County Poet Laureate

Rachelle received a philanthropist of the year award from Friends of the San Benito County Library in 2019. 

Rachelle Escamilla is a Chicana poet from the Central Coast of California. She is the author of three books of poetry: Imaginary Animal (Willow Books, 2015 & 2021), Me Drawing a Picture of Me[n] (Willow Books, 2019) and Space Junk from the Heavenly Palace (Nomadic Press/Black Lawrence Press 2023). Escamilla is the founder of a number of organizations and international literary programs including: The Poets and Writers Coalition and Legacy of Poetry Day at San José State University; The English-language Center for Creative Writing at Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou, China; and the Latinx Poetix Symposium at California State University Monterey Bay.

Learn more about how libraries have played a critical role in Rachelles life, and her involvement with the Friends of the San Benito County Library.

“My mom was a teen mom,” Rachelle said in a recent article, “She wanted me to be educated. And in order to do that as a migrant farm labor mother, she took me to the library … that’s why I’m sitting here, it’s books.”

A Garden Full of Storytellers

This fall, we're transforming a quiet garden into a vibrant gathering place where stories come to life. Picture winding paths, a sparkling pond, and tucked beneath the trees—local authors at intimate storytelling stations, ready to share their words, sign books, and spark conversations. From poetry to memoir, fiction to lived experience, these storytellers are more than writers—they're advocates for literacy, champions of libraries, and members of our own community. Join us in this unique celebration where literature blossoms in every corner and every connection helps grow the future of our libraries.

Our Curated List of Local Authors is Growing

Calling all local authors! We’re looking for passionate storytellers to join our upcoming events. Share your work, connect with readers, and support literacy in your community.

Check back in August for a full list of authors - Early ticket holders will be the first to know, so get your tickets as soon as they go on sale