NAPA, CA, JUNE 27, 2023 – In honor of its 25th Anniversary, the V Foundation Wine Celebration will pay tribute to all of the event’s previous Vintner Grant honorees at a special luncheon during the Wine Celebration Weekend, August 3-6 in the Napa Valley. The 2023 theme, “Ignite Impact” celebrates 25 years of raising money to fund game-changing research and all-star scientists to accelerate victory over cancer and save lives. Funds raised will support research on therapeutic resistance for all cancer types.
Over the past 24 years, the V Foundation Wine Celebration has acknowledged the efforts and support of a participating vintner by awarding a Vintner Grant in their honor. For its special 25th Anniversary, the V Foundation is celebrating all previous grant honorees to acknowledge their collective efforts in the fight against cancer. Through these Vintner Grants, each honoree designated an area of focus with a cancer research grant in their name. The V Foundation is fortunate to have an accomplished Scientific Advisory Committee whose members are leaders in the cancer research field and are responsible for evaluating and selecting the most promising research projects to receive funding.
Previous Grant Honorees include Lauren Ackerman, Karen Aldoroty (in honor of Neil Aldoroty,) Robin & Michelle Baggett, Mark Beringer, Gina Gallo, Cyril & Blakesley Chappellet, Mary Constant (in honor of Fred Constant), Mitch Cosentino, David & Kary Duncan, Rich & Leslie Frank, Jeff & Valerie Gargiulo, Dick & Ann Grace, Dirk & Charlie Hampson, Joe & Pat Harbison, Janet Herrero (in honor of Lowell Herrero), Rick & Elaine Jones, Teri Kuhn, Robin Lail, Larry & Karen Maguire, Chuck & Anne McMinn, Beth Novak Milliken, Dave Miner (in honor of Emily Miner), Beth Nickel, Erik Nickel, Suzanne Pride Bryan, K.R. Rombauer (in honor of Joan Rombauer), Samantha Rudd, Fred & Sally Schweiger, Garen & Shari Staglin, John “Launny” & Louise “Weezy” Steffens, and Todd Zapolski.
“We are so happy to be acknowledging these past Vintner Grant awardees,” said V Foundation CEO, Shane Jacobson. “Because of their dedication, commitment, and support, we have been able to accelerate the pace of cancer research today, which means more lives saved tomorrow.”
The 2023 Vintner Grant Luncheon will be held at Spottswoode Family Wine Estate and hosted by Beth Novak Milliken, along with V Foundation co-chair Derek Reisinger and Board Member Frank Lonergan. Olympic Medalist, World Rowing Champion and breast cancer survivor Kate Johnson will speak with special guest Suleika Jaouad on ‘How to Thrive in the Wake of Life’s Unexpected Interruptions.’ Jaouad is a New York Times bestselling author for Between Two Kingdoms, creator of the Emmy Award-winning series Life, Interrupted, and one of the ten most popular Ted Speakers of 2019 with nearly 5 million views.
The V Foundation Wine Celebration, one of the top-rated charitable events in the country, has helped to fund numerous grants at medical research institutions across the country. Each year it attracts attendees to Napa Valley from all over to the country for a gala weekend of special events and activities with a serious purpose – advancing the Foundation’s efforts to support cancer research.
To attend the Wine Celebration weekend, please visit http://www.
For more information on the 2023 V Wine Celebration, please visit www.winecelebration.org.
About the V Foundation Wine Celebration
Since 1999, the V Foundation Wine Celebration, benefiting the V Foundation for Cancer Research, has raised over $137 million for cancer research and related programs. This three-day signature series of events in the stunning Napa Valley demonstrates that commitment, passion and giving become the catalyst for positive change. For more information, please visit winecelebration.org.
About the V Foundation for Cancer Research
The V Foundation for Cancer Research was founded by ESPN and the late Jim Valvano, legendary North Carolina State University basketball coach and ESPN commentator. Since 1993, the Foundation has funded more than $310 million in cancer research grants nationwide. The V Foundation awards 100% of direct donations to cancer research and programs. The V Foundation’s endowment covers administrative expenses. The Foundation awards peer-reviewed grants through a competitive award process strictly supervised by a Scientific Advisory Committee. For more information on the V Foundation or to make a donation, please visit v.org.
