Exclusive Wine Dinner Draws V Foundation Supporters

High atop a hill overlooking the verdant Napa Valley, glamorous guests, many swathed in Rubin Singer designs, softly clinked Baccarat crystal flutes sparkling with JCB Haute Couture French bubbles as the blazing sun was slightly diffused by a soft breeze.

Hosted by vintners Gina Gallo and her husband, the ebullient Jean-Charles Boisset, at their historic Wappo Hill home (previously owned by the late Margrit and Robert Mondavi), the cause on this recent summer’s eve was cancer – for those touched by its cruelty and others fighting back by fundraising for the V Foundation.

Since 1999, the V Foundation Wine Celebration (founded 20 years ago by venture capitalist and foundation trustee Julie Allegro) has raised more than $80 million for national research programs at its three-day, valley-wide gathering, symposium and gala.

[…] 52 lucky guests alighted at their Cliff May-designed ranch residence for a gourmet, four-course chef Victor Scargle feast paired with primo valley vino created by female Napa vintners, all gorgeously kitted out in couture Rubin Singer creations.

Gina Gallo (senior winemaking director for her family’s Ernest & Julio Gallo wine dynasty); Beth Nickel (Nickel & Nickel, Far Niente); Blakesley Chappellet (Chappellet Winery and author of the recently released coffee-table book “Napa Valley Entertaining”); Michelle Baggett (Alpha Omega Winery); Helen Keplinger (Keplinger Wines) and her mentor, Heidi Barrett (La Sirena Wines, Barrett & Barrett), the Cabernet queen who created the cult classic Screaming Eagle.

“Gina and I were returning on a plane from the (Naples Wine Festival in Florida) with Amy and Adam Dornbusch, when Amy suggested we join forces on a fashion show featuring gorgeous, talented Napa Valley women who also make wine,” he toasted.

According to Allegro, the V Foundation, which donates 100 cents of every dollar raised to cancer research, was one of the first organizations to fund cutting-edge studies and doctors from around the nation under a single umbrella.


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