Hosted by the all-time winningest coach in NCAA basketball history, Mike “Coach K” Krzyzewski, ESPN college basketball analyst Jay Bilas, ESPN’s SportsCenter Anchor Sage Steele, and Emmy award-winning auctioneer John Curley, the annual gala event featured six one-of-a-kind auction items, celebrity and musical appearances by Andy Grammer, Michael Franti and Christian Hoff, and the chance to raise a glass with fellow V Wine Celebration guests, all coming virtually together to raise critical funds for cancer research.
The day began at 9:00am PDT with the Answer for Cancer Symposium, followed by V for Victory, a one-hour television special on ABC hosted by ESPN’s Kevin Negandhi and Hannah Storm.
The Virtual Auction Gala followed, featuring spirited bidding on six one-of-a kind lots, including exclusive experiences at the Superbowl and the ESPYs with Far Niente Brand Wines, a sail-fishing competition with Emeril Lagasse, an ultimate escape to Sonoma Wine Country, and a five-night stay with Exclusive Resorts. The top lot of the evening was a collaboration between Gemstone Vineyard and Stephen Silver Fine Jewelry featuring a ruby encrusted 3L of 2019 Gemstone Ruby Barrel Selection which garnered $300,000.
The event concluded with the fund-a-need, supporting the V Scholar Grants that advance the establishment of independent research programs for innovative young scientists, starting with an extremely generous challenge donation of $1 million dollars by long-time event supporters Wayne and Nan Kocourek. The challenge was met and more, bringing the total for the day to over $3.6 million.
“We may have been separate by distance, but we were together in heart,” stated Julie Maples, Chairwoman of the V Foundation Wine Celebration. “The overwhelming generosity of our sponsors, donors, and bidders has been even more amazing as we endeavored to conduct our first ever virtual event. We could not be happier with the outcome and we look forward to getting together in the Napa Valley in person next year for the 2021 V Foundation Wine Celebration Weekend!”
The 2021 V Foundation Wine Celebration will be held August 5 – 8 in the Napa Valley.
The V Foundation Wine Celebration has raised more than $118 million for cancer research over the last 22 years. The V Foundation Wine Celebration is sponsored in part by ESPN, Lilly Oncology, Nickel & Nickel, Far Niente, JaM Cellars, Bentley, Stephen Silver Fine Jewelry and Constellation Brands.
25th Anniversary V Foundation Wine celebration raises $21 Million – a record amount for the annual fundraising event.
The V Foundation for Cancer Research, a top-rated cancer research charity, announced the 2022 V Foundation Wine Celebration raised more than $6.5 million during a full weekend of events in the Napa Valley, with proceeds supporting early detection research.
The V Foundation for Cancer Research, a top-rated cancer research charity, announced the 2021 V Foundation Wine Celebration raised more than $12 million during a full weekend of events in the Napa Valley.