Media Releases
$1 Million Gift from Tatiana and Gerret Copeland of Bouchaine Vineyards Ignites a Historic Night at Festival Napa Valley
Festival Napa Valley’s Arts for All Gala raised a record-breaking $5 million on Sunday, July 13, further cementing its place as one of the nation’s leading fundraisers for education and the arts.
Held at Nickel & Nickel, part of the House of Far Niente, the sold-out gala featured a stirring performance by seven-time Grammy® and Oscar®-winner Jon Batiste, a high energy live auction led by celebrated auctioneer and author Lydia Fenet, and an elegant dinner curated by James Beard Award-winning chef Rogelio Garcia of Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley, paired with exceptional House of Far Niente wines.
Notable attendees included Marchese Piero Antinori, Robin & Michelle Baggett, Athena & Timothy Blackburn, Gina Gallo & Jean-Charles Boisset, Steph & Tim Busch, Tatiana & Gerret Copeland, Suzanne Deal Booth, Tracy & Darryl Curry, Olivia Decker, Leslie & Rich Frank, Kathryn & Craig Hall, Jane & Bert Inch, Arlene Inch, Darioush & Shahpar Khaledi, Lt. Governor Eleni Kounalakis, Monica Mancini & Gregg Field, Maryam & Oran Muduroglu, Merle Mullin, Kathleen and José Luis Nazar, Kenneth & Deborah Novack, Maggie & Stephen Oetgen, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi & Paul Pelosi, Mary Beth & David Shimmon, Maria Manetti Shrem, Ramirra & Jerry Stackhouse, Claire & Steven Stull, and Bob and Maria Torres.
“Each year, the Gala hits a resounding note of joy and highlights the profound role the arts and education play in transforming lives,” said gala chair Mary Beth Shimmon. “It was a special treat this year to experience the brilliant talent and energy of Jon Batiste, whose own passions align with our mission, and in particular with Music & Wellness, Festival Napa Valley’s bold new initiative dedicated to music’s power to enhance mental health, spark creativity, and build resilience in our youth. The artists, sponsors, vintners, and patrons whose generosity fuels our mission truly make the arts accessible to all and we are deeply grateful.”
Proceeds from the Gala fund Festival Napa Valley’s programs that empower youth through music education and wellness, as well as free and affordable concerts, and scholarships. The Gala has now raised over $33 million cumulatively.
Auction Highlights
This year’s auction featured a dozen once-in-a-lifetime experiences including Music of Manhattan with Cardinale featuring a private concert with Wynton Marsalis, a luxury journey to Hong Kong and Shanghai with VIP access to Art Basel, a Parisian escape with accommodations provided by Kathryn and Craig Hall and a private dinner at the home of Jean-Charles Boisset, and a glamorous US Open experience with J.P. Morgan suite seating and a private clinic with tennis legends. Other top lots included a dazzling journey to Cabo and Milan with Pomellato, Milan Fashion Week with Dolce & Gabbana, and the ultimate Napa Valley automotive adventure with exotic cars and a rare wine dinner.
Jean-Charles Boisset and Kathryn Walt Hall surprised the crowd during a heated bidding war by doubling the exclusive Parisian lot at $170,000 each.
Buy A Spot experiences were equally in demand, including an inspiring luncheon at Trefethen Family Vineyards with a performance by Monica Mancini and the fashions of Lafayette 148, a joyful magnum party honoring vintners and philanthropists Robin and Michelle Baggett, and a transcendent evening at Darioush Winery with opera star Angel Blue and pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet.
Record Breaking Fund A Need
The evening culminated in a powerful Fund A Need moment to support innovative music and education programs that empower youth and the Festival’s new Music & Wellness initiative.
Bouchaine Vineyards proprietors Tatiana and Gerret Copeland kicked off the Fund A Need with a generous $1 million donation, inspiring an outpouring of support from fellow guests.
Education and Community Engagement
Festival Napa Valley’s commitment to education was on full display when American Canyon High School’s a cappella ensemble, PDA (Public Display of A cappella), gave a standout performance coached by members of Aeternum Choir, who led Festival-supported mentorship sessions in the students’ music classroom earlier this spring.
Over the past year, Festival Napa Valley awarded over $1 million in scholarships, engaged 250 artists, supported 90 emerging musicians through tuition-free summer academies, presented 30 masterclasses, and promoted 125 local wineries, restaurants, hotels, and culinary businesses. The Festival presented 70 concerts in Napa Valley, San Francisco, and nationwide that brought music to more than 25,000 attendees, including over 8,500 children, seniors, and veterans at admission-free events, reaching all Napa County public schools and Boys & Girls Clubs. Visit our Education webpage for more information on Festival Napa Valley’s impact.
High Standards of Impact and Accountability
Festival Napa Valley is proud to maintain a Platinum rating on GuideStar, underscoring its commitment to transparency, fiscal responsibility, and measurable community impact.
Looking Ahead
Festival Napa Valley’s 20th Anniversary Season runs July 4-19, 2026. The Arts for All Gala is part of the Festival’s Patron Experience and will be held on Sunday, July 12, 2026. A limited number of Patron Passes for the 2026 summer season are available by reservation starting July 21, 2025.