Lake Forest Wine Bar Teams Up with Local Charity to Fight Human Trafficking

As owner of the Wine Artist Winery in Lake Forest, MJ Hong says she believes in connecting with the community. So when Hong was asked by Kimberly Clifton and Saundra Cerutti if they could use the winery to launch their nonprofit organization 4-THE-1 on April 1, Hong said yes. 

"Saundra reached out to me and asked if I could help," said Hong. "I feel that business is about connecting. It's about relationships ... not just about a sale."

The Wine Artist Winery is a hidden gem in a corporate park on Bake Parkway north of Trabuco. Within a glass and steel facade is a warm and glowing Tuscan-themed suite with overstuffed sofas, bistro-style seating, a dining area and bar.

(Check out our slide show of photos at the top of this story showing a recent wine and fondue party there.)

The 2,500-square-foot facility is used for private and corporate gatherings including team building, bridal and fundraising events, wine tasting and wine bottling. Custom wine labels can be created in-house for use at special occasions.

One day, Saundra Cerutti visited the Wine Artist and liked what she saw. Cerutti told her friend/business partner Kimberly Clifton about the winery. The two decided to use the facility for the launch party of their nonprofit organization 4-THE-1.

4-THE-1 will sell fair-trade products from its website, 4the1.org. Sales from these items will fund global safe houses for women and children in Costa Rica and Nepal. According to the 4-THE-1 website, "Fair trade empowers artisans from villages, underdeveloped communities, and those rescued or at risk of human trafficking, by taking their products to a global marketplace."

Cerutti and Clifton met in a Bible study group. They found that they both had had similar experiences that made them passionate about ending human trafficking.

"We've both been a breath away from being taken," Cerutti said.

By being "taken," she means stolen—made to vanish—forced into a different life against their will.

Clifton and Cerutti attended the Global Forum on Human Trafficking in Yorba Linda last year. Through the Global Forum, the two then were connected with women living in safe houses, one in Nepal and one in Costa Rica. The safe houses provide shelter to minors and women who are being rescued from slavery or in danger of becoming slaves.

"There is slavery in the cotton, chocolate, coffee, sugar and tea industries,"  said Clifton. "Where poverty is, there are people at risk."

Clifton said that 4-THE-1 is faith-based, and the name refers to working "for God." But it also refers to the possibility of rescuing one person, Cerutti said.

The duo hope that the Wine Artist launch party will allow them to start working on their goals. They are hoping to get corporations involved in their work, and they would like to host home parties and work on fundraisers with larger organizations.

"Each of us has to step up," Cerutti said. "Refuse to 'do nothing.' We can be part of the change and the solution."

The Wine Artist is at 21064 Bake Pkwy. in Lake Forest. The launch party will be held Friday, April 1 from 6:30 to 9:30 pm. Tickets are $40 for general admission and $50 for VIP admission which includes bottling your own wine with a customized event label.

RSVP through the Wine Artist at thewineartist.com or by calling 949-297-3656.

Cerutti and Clifton can be contacted at their website 4the1.org.