V Foundation Wine Celebration raises nearly $7 million for cancer research

The V Foundation for Cancer Research Wine Celebration team celebrates $6.87 million raised at the 2026 event. V Foundation photo

The 28th annual V Foundation for Cancer Research Wine Celebration, held in and near Yountville last weekend, raised nearly $7 million during the four-day event.

Taking place July 30 through Aug. 2, the annual fundraiser brought together more than 350 guests, vintners, researchers and philanthropic leaders to support cancer research. Since its inception in 1999, the Wine Celebration has generated more than $188 million for the V Foundation’s mission to fund breakthrough cancer research.

“The Wine Celebration is so much more than a beautiful weekend in Napa Valley,” said Brandi Williams Broome, CEO of the V Foundation. “For 28 years and counting, it’s been a driving force behind the V Foundation’s mission and the extraordinary progress we’ve made together. Because of the unwavering generosity of our dedicated supporters, vintner partners and the entire Napa Valley community, we’ve been able to fund the bold science that gives families more time, more hope and more answers.”

The foundation has awarded more than $500 million through nearly 1,500 research grants nationwide, including more than $37 million in 102 grants to researchers and institutions in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Krzyzewski Family Cancer Research Symposium 2026 at The Social at The Estate Yountville. V Foundation photo

TONY AWARD® Winner Christian Hoff at the Krzyzewski Family Cancer Research Symposium at The Social at The Estate Yountville. V Foundation photo — Krzyzewski Family Cancer Research Symposium 2026 at The Social at The Estate Yountville. V Foundation photo

Weekend events included Dinner with the Docs at Paraduxx, a luncheon at the newly renovated Robert Mondavi Winery, the Rock the V party and concert, the Krzyzewski Family Cancer Research Symposium at The Estate Yountville, and the gala and auction at Nickel & Nickel Winery.

The gala featured remarks from ESPN college basketball analyst and V Foundation board member Jay Bilas, Williams Broome, as well as a 13-year-old cancer survivor, Harper Harrell, and her mother, Heather Hindin.

“Harper is alive because of cancer research,” Hindin said. “She participated in a clinical trial during her treatment, and the trial was so successful it has now been implemented as front-line treatment for her type of cancer. It’s incumbent upon all of us to support cancer research because there is so much that wouldn’t be funded without organizations like the V Foundation.”

The live auction featured luxury travel, golf and wine experiences, including a seven-night stay in Spain’s Sierra de Gata wine region that sold for $280,000 and a Ryder Cup package in Ireland that raised $200,000. A Fund-A-Need paddle raise helped bring the weekend’s total to $6.87 million.

The 29th annual V Foundation for Cancer Research Wine Celebration is scheduled for July 29-31, 2027.

Editor’s note: The Estate Yountville is part of the parent company that owns the Yountville Sun.

All photos courtesy the V Foundation for Cancer Research Wine Celebration