April 10, 2026 (Napa, CA) — The T.J. Martell Foundation Napa’s Best Cellars Wine Dinner returns on Thursday, May 21 at the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in St. Helena, California bringing together influential leaders from the wine and music industries for a spectacular charity auction and culinary event dedicated to the fight against cancer. The Foundation also continues to mark its 50th anniversary, celebrating five decades of championing bold, high-risk, high-reward cancer research that has driven lifesaving advancements.
What sets the Napa’s Best Cellars Wine Dinner apart from all other Napa Valley events is its deep connection to the music industry—a force that drives creativity and passion throughout the evening. Supported by the T.J. Martell Foundation’s trustees—leaders shaping the future of music—the event demonstrates how their influence and dedication fuel lasting progress. The event showcases many of America’s most distinguished wine collectors whose cellars are opened to provide Grand Crus and exceptional vintages to accompany a superb gourmet dinner. The evening’s auction also offers a sumptuous array of luxury auction item experiences including deluxe travel explorations and tickets to top concerts.
“This evening is about so much more than a remarkable dinner. It is a reflection of what becomes possible when an entire industry decides to show up, year after year, with purpose. As we celebrate 50 years of Music’s Cure for Cancer, I am inspired by the momentum we carry into the next chapter,” said Lynn-Anne Huck, Chief Executive Officer of the T.J. Martell Foundation. “The honorees, the wines, the music, and the generosity in that room on May 21 represent exactly the kind of force that moves science forward. We are grateful to everyone who makes this night possible.”
The evening will honor husband and wife team Jeff Smith & Carolyn Duryea of Hourglass Vineyards for their leadership and innovation in the wine and design industries and passion for philanthropy, and iconic radio host/producer of the Howard Stern Radio Show and New York Times best-selling author Gary Dell’Abate for his longtime influence in the radio industry and work supporting the fight against cancer. The evening’s entertainment will feature an intimate acoustic performance by acclaimed country blues/roots musician Nat Myers known for his soulful acoustic performances. All of the evening’s participants share deeply personal experiences with cancer and united commitment to advancing cancer research.
The event’s celebrated “La Paulée” style dinner invites guests to share selections from their private wine collections, poured by Napa’s Valley’s finest sommeliers. Table-hopping is encouraged, creating an atmosphere of collaboration and generosity. A luxury auction will showcase rare wines, deluxe travel experiences, and exclusive collectibles from the worlds of music and wine. Tsar Nicoulai Caviar will also serve as the evening’s official Caviar Sponsor.
“The T.J. Martell Foundation’s mission is deeply personal to me. Like far too many families, mine has been touched by cancer repeatedly – I’ve lost loved ones and watched others battle this disease with incredible courage. Supporting this cause isn’t just something I do; it’s part of who I am,” said Marc Reiter, T.J. Martell Foundation Trustee and Co-Chair of the event. “That’s why co-chairing Napa’s Best Cellars Wine Dinner is such an honor. This event is a unique bridge between the music industry and the wine industry – two worlds built on passion, creativity, and community – coming together around one shared goal: funding ground-breaking cancer research. It’s also a fantastic way to kick off the summer here in Napa, celebrating great wine, great music, and, most importantly, real progress in the fight against cancer.”
Wine has always been about bringing people together around something meaningful. The TJ Martell Foundation dinner does exactly that — but with far greater purpose,” said Remi Cohen, CEO of Domaine Carneros and Co-Chair of the event. “What makes this night so special is that it brings together two worlds built on passion and artistry, wine and music, in a way that feels both celebratory and purposeful. The night before BottleRock, surrounded by the best of both industries, we’re not just raising a glass. We’re raising the bar for what’s possible in cancer research.”
The Wine Dinner Committee includes Co-Chairs Marc Reiter and Remi Cohen, Warren Christensen, Danny Cooper, Max Duley, Robert Emmer, Dino Paredes, Diarmuid Quinn, Elizabeth Vianello, Lane Watson.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the T.J. Martell Foundation’s innovative research initiatives, funding early-stage projects that hold the potential to transform cancer treatment and improve patient outcomes.
Tickets are available here.
About The T.J. Martell Foundation
For 50 years, the T.J. Martell Foundation has united the music industry in the fight against cancer, funding groundbreaking research that brings hope to patients and families. Founded by music executive Tony Martell in memory of his son T.J., the Foundation has helped propel some of the most significant advancements in cancer research through philanthropy-driven innovation.
For more information on the T.J. Martell Foundation, visit www.tjmartell.org. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
