Behind the Scenes at Vida OLE’s Wine Country Fete

OLE Health Foundation’s annual Napa fundraiser paired food and wine with philanthropy and Graff diamonds

Words by LESLEY McKENZIE

Napa County Supervisor Alfredo Pedroza, Branda Pedroza, Napa Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Jeri Hansen and former Yountville Mayor John Dunbar at the Vida OLE Dinner and Auction at Sullivan Rutherford Estate, May 20, 2023.

Talk about raising a glass to good health. Vida OLE!, the annual fundraiser hosted by the OLE Health Foundation, brought together supporters of Napa County’s only federally qualified health center for a celebratory multiday affair in Napa Valley from May 18 to May 21, brimming with exquisite food-and-wine pairings and music. A total of $2.3 million was raised in the name of supporting OLE Health’s operations at its five health centers and mobile health program.

Festivities kicked off with the Visionaries Luncheon, hosted by Jean-Charles Boisset and Gina Gallo at their Wappo Hill home. Guests including vintners Darioush Khaledi and Chuck McMinn, as well as OLE Health’s CEO Alicia Hardy and operating board chair Pete Richmond, gathered to toast vintner Rick Jones of Jones Family Wines, who was recognized for his dedication to OLE Health’s mission with the inaugural John Shafer Visionary Award.

The gala table at the Vida OLE Dinner and Auction at Sullivan Rutherford Estate, May 20, 2023.

Merrymaking spilled into Friday as Darioush and Louis Martini wineries opened their doors to weekend guests for intimate vintner dinners, which included specially curated wine pairings, while OLE Health’s medical directors told stories of their work on the front lines. Attendees at Darioush also had the opportunity to try on and shop for diamonds with a sneak peek of the Graff collection.

At Darioush, the wines weren’t the only things that sparkled. Guests were also treated to a sneak peek of Graff jewelry, including showstopping pieces from the Tilda’s Bow collection, featuring knots and loops of diamonds set in white gold, fashioned to resemble an ornate, hand-tied silk bow. Over an alfresco dinner, attendees had a chance to try on sparklers from the London-based jewelry house, and admire a sapphire-and-diamond necklace featuring delicate flowers punctuated with clusters of royal blue gems designed to conjure up images of grapes on the vine – a perfect complement to the event’s exquisite surrounds.

The revelry reached a crescendo the following evening in the bucolic setting of Sullivan Rutherford Estate with the dinner and auction. Well-heeled vintners, growers, local luminaries, and OLE Health’s supporters turned out to indulge in a multicourse meal by Meadowood’s culinary team, served with Sullivan vintages and Loco Tequila, while bidding in a spirited auction. Hot-ticket items were quickly snapped up with the flick of a paddle, including a $100,000 art and culinary journey through Mexico City from Loco Tequila and a three-day experience in Montana hosted by Yellowstone’s Cole Hauser for $80,000. Partygoers also generously opened their wallets to raise $720,000 for Fund a Need, earmarked for upgrades to OLE Health’s Napa Valley Vintners North Napa Campus, before a lively performance by Ozomatli that brought the crowd to its feet.

The weekend culminated with the French-themed Farewell Brunch at Sinegal Estate Winery, as guests put their boule skills to the test while savoring the property’s namesake wines. Santé!