Media Releases
Festival Napa Valley raised a record-setting $4.2 million at its Arts for All Gala on Sunday, July 16, 2023. Proceeds fund inspiring educational programs, free and affordable concerts, original programming for youth, and scholarships for talented young artists.
To date, the annual Gala has raised over $24 million, making it one of the nation’s most impactful fundraisers for the arts.
Held at Nickel & Nickel Winery in Oakville, the gala evening was headlined by eight time GRAMMY® Award-winner Carrie Underwood. Guests enjoyed a lavish dinner by Michelin-star chef Charlie Palmer together with McCalls Catering & Events, exquisite wines from Nickel & Nickel, Bella Union, and Dolce, and champagne provided by Veuve Clicquot. A live auction featured a collection of once-in-a-lifetime luxury lots, most of which included wines from Napa Valley and other renowned wine regions.
One of the evening’s most memorable moments came when students from American Canyon High School delighted guests with a performance from the musical Newsies.
“This year’s Arts for All Gala was a tremendous success and exceeded our expectations,” said Leslie Frank, Festival board member and Gala Chair. “Thanks to the spirited generosity and passionate commitment of our donors and sponsors, Festival Napa Valley is having a profound impact on the quality of life in Napa Valley and beyond.”
Top lots included “Angels of the Arts,” an elegant evening honoring legendary composer, vintner and philanthropist Gordon Getty at the San Francisco War Memorial Green Room on Thursday, March 7, 2024; an adventurous trip to New Zealand with vintners Leslie and Rich Frank; and a luxury tour of the Antinori Family’s Tuscan estates.
Glamour was the focus of other top lots including a trip to the French Riviera for the 2024 Cannes Film Festival hosted by renowned jewelry house Pomellato; a weeklong journey through the heart of Italy culminating at Fashion Week in Milan with Dolce & Gabbana; and a 2023 Audi Q4 e-tron Premium Plus SUV along with a luxury stay at 1 Hotel San Francisco.
Vintner hosted experiences included a trip to Italy’s famed Chianti Classico region and 2024 running of Il Palio di Siena courtesy of Treasury Wine Estates; a voyage on a private yacht along Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast with Alpha Omega’s Robin and Michelle Baggett; a trip to Australia curated by winemaker Chris Carpenter and Jackson Family Wines; and a dinner for 10 at Colgin Cellars with Ann Colgin and Joe Wender.
Fabulous buy-a-spot lots included a coveted spot on a trip by private jet to Switzerland to celebrate the debut of the Rachmaninoff International Orchestra; a trip to England to explore Britain’s wine and festival scene; a women’s luncheon hosted by Shahpar and Sally Khaledi at Darioush Winery; and a men’s BBQ at Alpha Omega Winery.
Festival Napa Valley’s 18th summer season takes place July 12-21, 2024. The Arts for All Gala is part of the Patron Experience and will be held on Sunday July 14, 2024. A limited number of passes for the Festival’s 2024 summer season are available through the 2024 pre-sale, now through August 15, 2023.