Though a charity auctioneer’s fast-paced gibbering can raise a hefty sum for a worthy cause, he’s usually just trying to further his country-rap career. Today's Groupon gets you a far more intelligible way to give: for $45, you get $100 worth of wine and merchandise online from OneHope Wine. OneHope, which donates half of its profits to a variety of causes, was plugged on the Today Show with Kathie Lee and Hoda.

The young crew behind OneHope Wine believes wine can do more than dance with flavor and stain frocks fashioned from fine white camel hair. Each bottle has been instilled with beauty and a rich taste to complement its selflessness. A OneHope gift box yields one bottle each of California merlot, cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay, zinfandel, and sauvignon blanc ($120 for the gift box or $18.99 each). The 2009 merlot is aged in a combination of French and American oak barrels, resulting in flavors of toasty spice and a versatile drinkability.

Several times per year, OneHope donates half of all profits generated from each of its award-winning California wines to charities, including the AIDS/LifeCycle, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, and Act Today!. The company has garnered distribution at big events such as the 2010 Oscars and has seen its cause championed by celebs including Lisa Rinna and Sharon Stone and a slew of others. Today's Groupon makes a fine gift for the humanitarian vineyard enthusiast previously accustomed to stomping grapes for veterans.

Reviews

OneHope Wine has received plenty of media coverage. Entrepreneur magazine has this to say about the company:

• The idea is simple: OneHope, a for-profit company based in Irvine, Calif, tries to sell as much quality wine as possible, and 50 percent of its profits go to charity. Sales of the merlot go to AIDS research, the sauvignon blanc supports the environment, and the zin goes to causes that support U.S. troops. – Jason Daley, Entrepreneur