Passes are going fast for annual event being held March 21– 24, 2024
January 24, 2024, Napa, CA – Registration is open and passes are selling fast for the 3rd Annual V Foundation Sonoma Epicurean weekend, to be held March 21 – 24, 2024 in Sonoma County’s renowned wine country. Sonoma Epicurean is a signature series of events of curated and hands-on experiences, featuring a star-studded cast of television, sports and music celebrities, along with award-winning chefs, local artisans and world-class vintners focusing on lifestyle, wellness and sustainability. Proceeds from the event will fund colorectal cancer research and related programs benefitting the V Foundation for Cancer Research.
The weekend kicks off on Thursday, March 21 with the Vintner Showcase Reception at Montage Healdsburg, followed by the Epicurean Winery Dinners, featuring Northern California’s finest chefs, including Charlie Palmer, Dustin Valette, Jason Pringle and David Frakes. Each chef will create a menu perfectly paired with wines from top Sonoma County vintners, including Arista Winery, Benovia Winery, Kistler Winery, and Lynmar Estate. Thursday’s festivities conclude with the Epic After Party at Roof 106 at The Matheson on the Healdsburg Square.
Friday features the Epicurean Experiences, where guests will have their choice of a variety of fully immersive experiences including:
• Survivor Mindset with Ethan Zohn, Survivor Africa winner and The Garden Society founder, and Erin Gore at Durell Vineyards, featuring Three Sticks Wines.
• Culinary Theater at The Matheson with Chef Dustin Valette and Tara Jasper, Founder, Sipsong Spirits. Actor Teri Hatcher and musical producer and former American Idol judge Randy Jackson will join the fun!
• Golf at world-class Mayacama. Will your golf game match those of San Francisco Giant’s legend Buster Posey or LPGA major champion Cristie Kerr?
• Through Your Lens at Aperture Cellars with renowned photographer Andy Katz and Chef Duskie Estes.
• Taste Regenerative Agriculture luncheon at Little Saint paired with wines from DuMOL, Medlock Ames, Sixteen 600, and Jackson Family wineries. Emmy award-winning personality Leslie Sbrocco of Check Please! and wine expert Debbie Zachareas will co-host this fun and informative event.
• Yoga & Wellness at Bricoleur featuring legendary yoga icon Bex Urban and Chef Thomas Bellac.
Friday concludes with the Epic Party at Bacchus Landing in historic Healdsburg, where many of the world’s most notable vintners will pour their wines alongside gourmet delights from award-winning chefs. Guests will have the opportunity to bid at the exclusive barrel auction showcasing WALT Wines, Ridge Vineyards, Lasseter Family Winery and Ramey Wine Cellars. Emceed by gifted country artist and charismatic entertainer Coffey Anderson and featuring The Foodie Magician, Josh Beckerman , the evening includes songs by Coffey, as well as Nella – named Best New Artist at the 2019 Latin GRAMMY® Awards, and renowned American pop rock singer-songwriter and record producer Jon McLaughlin.
Saturday’s agenda begins with the Wellness Breakfast and EpiCUREean Symposium, where V Foundation-funded grantees will engage guests in an enlightening discussion on research highlighting colorectal cancer. The breakfast will feature a presentation by Greg Simon, former Executive Director of the White House Cancer Moonshot Task Force. Speaking at the Symposium are the best and brightest minds at the forefront of cancer research, including Dr. Nancy Davidson, Chair of the V Foundation Scientific Advisory Committee, Dr. Wenhan Zhu of Vanderbilt University, Dr. Maayan Levy of the University of Pennsylvania and Dr. Selma Masri of UC Irvine.
The main event on Saturday evening is the Gala & Auction at wine country’s premium destination, Montage Healdsburg. Guests will gather for the pinnacle event of the Sonoma Epicurean series at a seated multi-course food and wine-paired feast prepared by Executive Chef Jason Pringle, featuring auctioneer and Emmy Award-winning radio & TV personality Liam Mayclem.
“We are so happy to gather together this March in Sonoma’s wine country for this important weekend,” said Stuart Bryan, 2024 Co-Chair of Sonoma Epicurean. “Not only will we be raising significant funds for colorectal cancer research, the Sonoma Epicurean weekend also allows us the opportunity to share important information on the vital work the V Foundation is doing to accelerate Victory Over Cancer®.”
The V Foundation’s wine country events have raised nearly $165 million for cancer research over the last 25 years. The V Foundation for Cancer Research has funded over $353 million in cancer research grants nationwide.
Registration for Sonoma Epicurean is open, and passes are limited. For more information, and to register for the event, please go to sonomaepicurean.v.org or contact Tara Green tgreen@v.org.
About Sonoma Epicurean
Sonoma Epicurean is a signature series of events featuring curated and hands-on experiences with Michelin-star and award-winning chefs, local artisans, and world-class vintners with focus on lifestyle, wellness, and sustainability. Proceeds from the event will fund cancer research and related programs to benefit the V Foundation for Cancer Research. For more information on the V Foundation or to make a donation, please visit sonomaepicurean.v.org.
About the V Foundation for Cancer Research
The V Foundation for Cancer Research was founded in 1993 by ESPN and the late Jim Valvano, legendary North Carolina State University basketball coach and ESPN commentator. The V Foundation has funded over $353 million in game-changing cancer research grants nationwide through a competitive process strictly supervised by a world-class Scientific Advisory Committee. Because the V Foundation has an endowment to cover administrative expenses, 100% of direct donations is awarded to cancer research and programs. The V team is committed to accelerating Victory Over Cancer®. To learn more, visit v.org.
