Trailblazing Cultural Organization Welcomes First Official Wine Partner in its 92-Year History
January 8, 2026 (Sebastopol, CA) — Kosta Browne Winery and San Francisco Ballet today announce a landmark partnership that unites two California icons devoted to excellence, creativity, and community. For the first time in its 92-year history, San Francisco Ballet has selected an official wine partner. Kosta Browne is proud to support the Ballet’s 2026 Season, including the celebrated 2026 Opening Night Gala, in this inaugural role.
San Francisco Ballet’s new season marks the company’s third year under the leadership of acclaimed Artistic Director Tamara Rojo, whose bold and ambitious vision continues to redefine the organization’s creative future. The season opened in December with Nutcracker, and will be followed in 2026 by the highly anticipated world premiere of Eugene Onegin (January 23–February 1), Balanchine: Father of American Ballet (February 10–15), The Blake Works (February 27–March 8), Don Quixote (March 19–29), La Sylphide (April 10–16), and concludes with Mere Mortals (April 24–May 3). The season officially launches with the 2026 Opening Night Gala at San Francisco City Hall on Wednesday, January 14, 2026.
For generations, SF Ballet’s Opening Night Gala has served as a premier cultural event in San Francisco and is the Ballet’s largest annual fundraiser. Held at the city’s historic City Hall and War Memorial Opera House, the gala brings together civic leaders, artists, business leaders, philanthropists, and cultural patrons for an evening that symbolizes the beginning of the arts season in one of the world’s most vibrant creative capitals. In 2026, Kosta Browne will play an important role at this iconic celebration through special wine selections, thoughtfully crafted guest experiences, and a presence that reflects the winery’s commitment to artistry and community. By pairing the beauty of ballet with the nuance and intention behind its wines, Kosta Browne aims to help contribute to a Gala experience that honors tradition while celebrating the future of this remarkable cultural institution.
Throughout the 2026 Season, Ballet patrons and supporters will be invited to engage with Kosta Browne in memorable ways. Select performances and special events will feature exclusive Kosta Browne tasting experiences, offering an opportunity to explore the winery’s most celebrated Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays. In addition, the Ballet community will receive special wine offerings designed for patrons and supporters. The partnership will also be integrated throughout the season’s performances, celebrations, and donor engagements, bringing Kosta Browne’s presence into the heart of the Ballet’s cultural calendar. To further deepen the connection between the two communities, Kosta Browne members will enjoy special offers tied to the Ballet’s programming and artistic initiatives, creating a dynamic exchange that brings both audiences together.
Said Paige Dana, Kosta Browne’s Estate Director, “For a city and a region shaped by such a rich and culturally significant winemaking history, being chosen as the first official wine partner of San Francisco Ballet is a rare honor. As America’s longest-running ballet company, San Francisco Ballet continues to shape the future of dance through the kind of innovation and imagination that have defined its legacy for more than 90 years. This partnership reflects the profound role that wine and dance play in bringing communities together, and the belief we share with the Ballet that creativity and craft can shape culture and inspire generations. We are honored to partner with such a storied institution and feel privileged to support the Ballet’s 2026 Season.”
Since its inception, Kosta Browne has redefined what is possible for California Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, evolving from humble beginnings into one of the New World’s most acclaimed wineries. Guided by Winemaker Julien Howsepian, whose visionary leadership has ushered in one of the most ambitious periods in the winery’s history, Kosta Browne continues to push the boundaries of craft and expression. Today, the winery is synonymous with some of California’s most iconic wines, sourced from grand cru-caliber sites such as Cerise, Gap’s Crown, Keefer Ranch, Giusti Ranch, and Pisoni. Building on this legacy, the winery also achieved a long-held dream with its Burgundy Series, crafting wines from legendary appellations including Gevrey-Chambertin, Beaune Premier Cru, Pommard, Volnay, Meursault, and Chablis. Founded in Sonoma County, Kosta Browne was the first, and to date only, winery to have a Pinot Noir honored as Wine Spectator’s “Wine of the Year.”
“San Francisco Ballet is pleased to embark on this partnership with Kosta Browne in celebration of what makes our region exceptional,” added Branislav Henselmann, Executive Director of San Francisco Ballet. “This collaboration brings together two disciplines grounded in craftsmanship, heritage, and a commitment to excellence, qualities that define SF Ballet’s 92-year legacy and guide our vision for the future. We look forward to offering our community elevated, tailored experiences as we spotlight innovation and creativity both on stage and off.”
About Kosta Browne Winery
Since its founding more than a quarter century ago, Kosta Browne has earned acclaim as an American icon with one of the world’s most diverse and celebrated portfolios of luxury Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Based in Sebastopol, California, and guided by renowned Winemaker Julien Howsepian, Kosta Browne produces a coveted lineup of appellation and single-vineyard wines from California’s most revered cool-climate vineyards. Learn more at kostabrowne.com.
About San Francisco Ballet
San Francisco Ballet, led by Artistic Director Tamara Rojo, is a world-leading ballet company and a trail-blazing commissioner, collaborator, and presenter in dance. With a deep commitment to new and contemporary works and the classical repertoire, SF Ballet is a catalyst for the future of ballet, investing in commissions and acquisitions; presenting established and emerging choreographers with a breadth of viewpoints; uplifting dancers, artists, and creatives across disciplines; and cultivating the next generation of the world’s top dancers in its School.Learn more at sfballet.org.
