KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Lake County winery Rosa d’Oro Vineyards has built a reputation on growing and crafting unique Italian varietal wines, but over the last year they have also built a reputation for food.

The family owned and operated winery takes the DIY spirit to heart, and their popular “Flight Night” series of global cuisine wine dinners is cooked by their winemaker while the family serves and discusses the wine pairings with guests in their tasting room in downtown Kelseyville.

The Kickstarter platform supports a wide range of creative projects that seek funding within a limited time window and utilizing rewards in exchanged for funding pledges.

Rosa d’Oro’s campaign launched earlier this month had reached 68 percent of its goal, raising $6,161
of its $9,000 goal. They are very encouraged by their most popular pledge being a $500 package rather than the $70 average for the Web site.

When asked about the project winemaker and chef Pietro Buttitta said, “This type of fundraising is really a natural fit for our winery. Over the last year we slowly built our food series and our dedication is being reflected by those who offer their help. Our multi-course menus have been based on different themes and culinary traditions and I am excited to bring more thoughtful historical elements into play, add educational angles to the food and wine traditions, and also begin working on the cookbook project that is part of the popular $500 pledge package. It truly is a creative project as well as a personal journey for me.”

Buttitta also stated that for a creative project like this it is better to reward project investors directly than involve bank loans and compromise the small is beautiful paradigm that the winery is based on.

To learn more about the project please visit the Kickstarter page here: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1174387600/bringing-food-and-wine-together-in-a-unique-way?ref=live .

Rosa d’Oro Vineyards was founded in 2001 by Nick Buttitta who had a fondness for Italian wine and faith in the quality of Lake County grapes.

In 2005 daughter Livia began managing the tasting room and Pietro joined in 2008 and became winemaker in 2009.

Previously Pietro Buttitta had cooked in Portland, Ore., and at Michelin-starred Terra Restaurant in Napa Valley.

Today Rosa d’Oro produces over a dozen Italian varietal wines including Aglianico, Nebbiolo, Montepulciano and many others including their Barbera that has won multiple double-gold medals in wine competitions.