[/av_textblock] [av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=” custom_class=”] May 29, 2013
When Eagle Springs Winery opened its doors in late Fall of 2012, a partnership was planned with the American Eagle Foundation. The idea was to produce and bottle 1,000 special labels for the Foundation and donate $5 for every bottle sold.
Sales of the new wine called ‘Sanctuary’ began early this year and they have finally sold out! At a special flag raising ceremony with the local TN Smoky Mtn Marine Corps League Det. 1206, Al Cecere and his daughter Laura Sterbens were there to accept the $5 ,000 check, along with one of the Foundation’s most well-known spokesman, the eagle ‘Challenger.’
“We want to thank Don Collier and Eagle Springs Winery for partnering with us in our efforts to fully restore the Bald Eagle to America’s lands and skies,” said Cecere just after the flag raising and check presentation. “We have plans to release the first eagle of the season this Thursday (5-30-13) out at Douglas Lake, and it’s donations like this that allow us to continue to do what we do.”
Since opening in 1985, the Foundation has released dozens of eagles back into the wild and has successfully performed over 10,000 free flight birds of prey education programs to help raise awareness and respect for these magnificent birds. The idea to include an official American Flag raising ceremony came from one of the wineries’ own crew, David Elrod. A former Marine, Elrod was able to gather members of his league together in full ceremonial attire for the event.
A 13-week-old eaglet flies free.