The V Foundation for Cancer Research continues to boost the fight against cancer, raising $10.5 million during its annual V Foundation Wine Celebration. Held in beautiful wine country, August 1-4, the 26th annual event welcomed over 500 guests and was hosted by Mike “Coach K” Krzyzewski, the legendary former head coach of the Duke University men’s basketball team and V Foundation Board Member. V Foundation founder Jim Valvano’s iconic “Don’t give up … Don’t ever give up!” philosophy was highlighted throughout the long weekend.
The V Foundation Wine Celebration kicked off on Thursday with the popular Dinner with the Docs, a unique opportunity to dine and meet with both V Foundation grantees and the world class oncology experts who lead the V Foundation’s Scientific Advisory Committee.
Friday began with the President’s and Vintner Grant Honoree Luncheon at Stanly Ranch, celebrating 2024 Vintner Grant honoree Ellie Anest, founder & CEO of Eleven Eleven Winery. The luncheon also included a surprise announcement: a grant named in honor of Wine Celebration board member and Tony award-winning Broadway performer Christian Hoff to recognize his contributions to the cancer research community. The grant was awarded to Jonathan Peled, M.D., Ph.D., at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
The day culminated with Rock the V, the biggest party of the Wine Celebration weekend held at the luxurious Estate Yountville. The event featured famed restaurateurs, award-winning chefs, renowned regional vintners, an exciting barrel auction, and the ever-popular Silent Disco in the Estate Yountville’s historic Barrel Room.
Saturday started off with the Krzyzewski Family Answer for Cancer Symposium where guests learned firsthand from V grantees about advances in cancer research.
The Gala Dinner & Auction, held at Nickel & Nickel Winery, capped off the event weekend, hosted by Mike Krzyzewski, along with Shane Jacobson, CEO of the V Foundation; Amy Marks Dornbusch, chairwoman, Wine Celebration; and Chris Spatola, ESPN college basketball analyst.
They were joined by gala chef Dustin Valette, owner of The Matheson, Valette Restaurant, and Valette Wines, for an incredible gala dinner paired with Nickel & Nickel wines. A rousing standing ovation ensued as the Spirit of Jimmy V Award was presented to George Bodenheimer, former ESPN president, to honor his decades of service and passion for the V Foundation’s mission.
“I am at a loss for words,” Bodenheimer said from the stage. “I’m so honored and humbled to receive this award. I love the V Foundation, and to receive this award, it’s truly special. When Jimmy announced the V Foundation at the inaugural ESPYs he said, ‘We are going to need your financial support to fund this world class research, because the life you save may be somebody that you love.’ Let’s please remember that powerful thought and get after it.”
The live auction included dozens of incredible lots up for bid. The evening’s top lots included a VIP experience for eight at the U.S. Open Semifinals and Finals in New York, hosted by renowned vintner Beth Nickel with a winning bid of $1.6 million; a country music festival and barbeque with Blakesley and Cyril Chappellet at $300,000; and a VIP Super Bowl LIX experience for four in New Orleans with the Staglin family, coming in at $200,000. A winner was also selected for the Legend Motor Co. Sweepstakes, who took home a custom-built Signature Series 4×4 vehicle.
The generosity continued through the Fund-a-Need paddle raise for colorectal cancer research, and when the final gavel came down at the end of the auction, $10.5 million had been raised to support lifesaving cancer research.
Since 1999, the Wine Celebration has raised over $168 million to support the V Foundation and its game-changing research, led by all-star scientists who are working to accelerate Victory Over Cancer® and save lives.
The 27th Annual V Foundation Wine Celebration will be held July 31-August 3, 2025.