Sour Lake bike ride, wine tests helps Humane Society for 10th year

“It was just perfect,” she said.

It’s the fourth year for Carter to coordinate the five-hour event, which began at Bruno & George Winery, which is located at 400 Messina and where Carter works.

“Working out here, I enjoy any of the events,” Carter said. “They are just so much fun and you meet new people. The Humane Society is taking care of animals all the time. I can’t imagine what they go through to keep up with the little animals there.”

“It’s a good community service and it brings out people,” she continued. “Everybody enjoyed being out here all morning. We’re all hot and sweaty, but we had the best time.”

Last year, the event was canceled due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. Carter believes the current spike in cases had an impact on this year’s attendance, which was about half what they see in an average year.

“We are very happy to do it and it’s only once a year,” Winery Owner Shawn Bruno said. “When you do it only once a year, it stays special. We have had as many as 175 on a good year and as little as 50, but it doesn’t matter to us. We love having the event.”

Despite the pandemic, Carter said people came together to have some family-friendly fun that began with a trumpet player, who heralded the start of the race with The National Anthem.

“In a time of what we are going through now, there are so many people depressed and worried about things,” Carter said. “This is a day where we are not worried, and everybody is out having a good time.”

The longest ride stretched 31 miles, while the shorter ride logged 17 miles. At least one 6-year-old girl proudly accomplished 7-mile ride. The route includes a stop for drinks and snacks.

“It’s literally my most favorite event in Beaumont,” said 35-year-old Beaumont resident Natalie LaRocca. “It’s something I’m really interested in. It’s a great bike ride, it’s not very competitive. It’s beautiful scenery.”

“It supports the humane society, which I love — I think it is a great cause,” LaRocca continued. “And of course, you get to finish with wonderful wines in a beautiful setting. It’s just a really great event, and I encourage everybody to join next year.”

The Sour Lake Police Department and Sour Lake EMS volunteered time to make sure all the riders were safe during the event. The event also included sponsorships and support from others like Kickstand, which assists people if they get a flat tire, and Valero, which provided lunch.

“They like to give back to the community,” Carter said. “They’re a big help.”

While the total funds raised by the event are still being tallied, Carter knows the event raised over $1,000 through in-person and online registration.

She hopes to continue to host the event, which is held once a year in August ahead of the fall football season.

In addition to celebrating the 10th year of the event, Bruno said the winery is in its 21st year.

The winery ships all over Texas. It also hosts parties, weddings, tastings, an annual bonfire night and fencing tournament, along with regular tastings throughout the year.

“We are known far and wide for some of our berry wines — they are some of the best in the state,” Bruno said. “Our tastings and tours are by appointment only. We find that is a good avenue to take, all you have to do is call our number and we will set it up.”

meagan.ellsworth@beaumontenterprise.com

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