Philanthropic St. Helena winery in its third year of offering 30-40 annual scholarships for talented first-generation low-income students in partnership with Stanford
NAPA VALLEY, Calif. (February 11, 2025) — Now in its third year providing scholarships for underprivileged students at Stanford University, Vida Valiente raised over $2.34 million at its third annual auction, held at Montage Los Cabos, in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico on Friday, January 24th. The annual event is now thought to be the highest grossing wine auction in Mexico. Vida Valiente is a St. Helena-based wine label as well as a philanthropic foundation, building bridges for first-generation low-income students with tuition and unparalleled resources to help them succeed.
The Vida Valiente Foundation is partially funded by its eponymous Napa Valley winery’s flagship wine – a critically acclaimed Cabernet Sauvignon blend called The Movement™, crafted by 100-point winemaker Sam Kaplan. $100 from each bottle sale directly supports the Vida Valiente Foundation (the wine retails on release for $250 per 750ml bottle).
Through mentorship, financial scholarships and annual leadership offsites, the Foundation gives admitted college students unprecedented exposure to professionals who grew up in similar circumstances, all of whom have made brave moves and can open doors to what’s possible. Meet some of the current Vida Valiente scholars here.
“We are deeply humbled and gratified by what Vida Valiente was able to accomplish at this year’s Napa in Cabo fundraiser,” said Susana Cueva Drumwright, CEO and co-founder of the Vida Valiente Foundation. “In just our third year of the event, we have seen it evolve from a world class wine weekend with a philanthropic mission to a gathering of like-minded and like-hearted people coming together in support of our foundation’s mission. The incredible generosity we’ve received from the top wineries in Napa and Bordeaux, coupled with the beautiful setting of the Montage Los Cabos, enables us to create a phenomenal experience for our attendees who believe in the power of uplifting our VV Scholars on their valiant journeys toward higher education. We believe that this annual cycle of giving will have a lasting impact on hundreds and ultimately thousands of deserving low-income, first-generation students. It’s truly a dream come true.”
Tropical desert breezes welcomed 170 guests to Montage Los Cabos for the three-day series of events, set amid a stunning seaside backdrop at the southern tip of the Baja peninsula. Highlights included a master class on 2019 Bordeaux and Napa Valley Cabernet, led by Master of Wine Lisa Perrotti-Brown and a six-course dinner paired with wines from some of Napa Valley’s most sought-after labels.
“It was an honor to support Vida Valiente’s mission to aid and elevate these bright, awe-inspiring college students toward becoming our next generation of creators, humanitarians, and leaders. Meeting a few of the Vida Valiente scholars and hearing their against-all-odds stories was both heart-wrenching and joyous. The sense of purpose and altruism that Susana, Hayes, and their team are weaving into the wine community with this fun and incredibly sophisticated event make it a must-do for anyone who adores wine and philanthropy.”
– Lisa Perrotti-Brown, MW, Wine Independent
The main event was the Great Gatsby-themed Gala, held at the world-renowned Twin Dolphins Golf Club. Alongside Vida Valiente Cabernet Sauvignon, a curated selection of Napa Valley wines – including Hundred Acre, Eisele Vineyard, Cardinale, Schrader Cellars, Fortunate Son Wines, Memento Mori, and MAXEM – flowed throughout the live auction event, alongside inspired dinner pairings, flappers, and fireworks.
“Vida Valiente isn’t a philanthropy it’s truly a movement and we feel blessed to be a part of it.”
– Landon Patterson, CEO, Hundred Acre
Auction lot highlights included Directors Box seats for a Chelsea Football Club match in London, an exclusive dinner hosted by Salma Hayek Pinault and Francois-Henri Pinault at the Kering Foundation’s Caring for Women event in New York complete with Pomellato jewelry styling and dressing for the gala, sumptuous luxury hotel packages at J.K. Place in Paris, The Berkeley in London, Four Seasons in Jackson Hole, Castle Hot Springs in Arizona and The Montage Los Cabos, ultra-exclusive dinners at The French Laundry and Charlie’s in Napa Valley, Casa Cipriani in New York, and Casa Tua in Paris, a two-hour blending session with Winemaker Sam Kaplan that sold for $70,000 and a barrel of 2024 Vida Valiente The Movement™ Cabernet Sauvignon that sold for $125,000.
“It’s an honor to support the brilliant and inspiring scholars who, without a doubt, will be leaders and changemakers thanks to Vida’s work in supporting them with needed resources.”
– Bradley Wasserman, Cardinale
Susana, a talented Hispanic CEO, philanthropist, tech executive, and Napa Valley vintner, is a first-generation daughter of immigrants herself. She and her husband, vintner and entrepreneur Hayes Drumwright, conceived both the Vida Valiente Winery and its Foundation to support students of a similar background who have worked hard to get themselves through school, but who could benefit from direct access to role models who grew up in similar low-income backgrounds.
“The work of Vida Valiente leaves an indelible impact on the lives of so many. I am proud to have been part of this unforgettable event and to support a foundation that embodies courage and compassion.”
Adrien Signorello, Eisele Vineyard
“Our Vida Valiente scholars are persevering through demanding schedules, leaving their communities for the first time, while, in many cases, worrying constantly about how their families will get by financially without their help,” Susana described in her welcome speech. “Our financial support is set up to make it possible for students to not have to worry about working so that they can focus on their studies.”
“Hearing the stories and witnessing the impact that Vida Valiente has on its scholars was truly inspiring. The weekend was filled with incredible events, exceptional wines, and wonderful people, all coming together to support the education and future of some extraordinary kids.”
– Alex MacDonald, MacDonald Vineyards
Six of the current Vida Valiente scholars were in attendance and shared powerful stories about the obstacles they overcame to get themselves to Stanford, and what the Vida Valiente Foundation has meant to them.
“Walking into a space where kindness, love, and faith abounded for strangers to become friends in celebration of the strength and resoluteness of Vida Scholars was magnificent. At the Gala, I shared my story for the first time in my life to a crowd who wanted nothing more than to love and support me as I continue my journey. This event single handedly changed my life through the relationships made and unity of likeminded individuals destined to shape the future.”
– Jaydon Deras, Sophomore, Vida Valiente Scholar
The Vida Valiente Foundation is currently supporting 119 scholars, all of whom will continue to benefit from the scholarships and mentorship through their four-year matriculation at Stanford. Now in its third year, Vida Valiente will introduce a new class of 30-40 freshmen scholars each year. All scholars have one thing in common – a great deal to overcome. Roughly 90% of first-generation low-income students in the United States take over six years to graduate. 33% drop out after three years. Between courses, jobs, a lack of mentorship, and the daunting hurdle of leaving home for the first time, it is a wonder even 10% of these brave young adults make it.
“Every year we receive almost 100 applications from these incredible kids accepted into Stanford,” said Hayes. “I cannot adequately express our joy in raising $1,000,000 more this year at Napa in Cabo than we did in 2024. This allows us to increase our acceptance rate from 40% of the applicants to 70%. Our hope is to continue this trajectory so we can support 1,000 scholars through the program in the next 15 years. Within the past three years, we have gained a profound understanding of the potential for positive global impact represented by even just our current group. We are well on our way to creating a cohort of thousands of brilliant empathic leaders. When this cohort, representing every academic major and discipline, leans on each other to create change over the next two to three decades, just imagine what they can do.”
About The Vida Valiente Foundation
Vida Valiente translates to “Valiant Life,” which speaks to the perseverance, resilience and the bravery it takes to be the first to navigate uncharted territory. The Vida Valiente Foundation was started by Napa Valley vintners and philanthropists Susana Cueva Drumwright and her husband Hayes Drumwright. It supports first-generation students who have worked hard to get themselves through school, but who could benefit from financial assistance and leadership from role models who grew up in similar low-income backgrounds. Funded primarily through proceeds from the founders’ Vida Valiente Winery, the Vida Valiente Foundation grants admitted college students unprecedented exposure to professionals who grew up in similar circumstances, all of whom have made brave moves and can open doors to what’s possible. To learn more about the Vida Valiente Foundation or to donate, please watch its Inspiration Video featuring its current scholars or visit vidavalientefoundation.org.
About Vida Valiente Winery
Vida Valiente is a family-owned and operated Napa Valley winery founded by philanthropists Hayes Drumwright and Susana Cueva Drumwright and winemakers Sam and Nancy Kaplan. The winery debuted in late fall 2021, with its first release of The Movement™ (SRP $250), its flagship Cabernet Sauvignon blend. $100 from each bottle is donated directly to support the Vida Valiente Foundation. The Movement™ is a blend of Vida Valiente’s single vineyard sources (all from virgin vines): the Vida Valiente Estate vineyard in St. Helena, as well as new plantings within Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard in Oakville, High Ranch in Coombsville, and Graveside Vineyard in St. Helena. For more information on the Vida Valiente Winery or to join the mailing list for The Movement™, please visit vidavalientewinery.com.
