Napa in Newport Returns for Its 11th Annual Celebration of Wine, Culinary Excellence, and Philanthropy
Photos Courtesy of CureDuchenne
Esteemed for its unparalleled showcase of Napa Valleyβs finest wines, Napa in Newport returns for its 11th annual gala on March 1, 2025, at the luxurious Pendry Newport Beach. This yearβs event promises an elevated experience, blending exquisite wine, gourmet cuisine, and an unwavering commitment to philanthropy. Guests will enjoy a Grand Tasting of limited production wines from Napaβs most coveted vintners with Morlet Family Vineyards as the Honorary Vintner Chair, a handcrafted dinner curated by Chef Philip Tessier from PRESS restaurant in St. Helena, and a thrilling live auction offering rare wines, luxury vacations, and one-of-a-kind experiences.
The event will culminate in an exclusive afterparty at the members-only Elwood Club, featuring elevated cocktails, soulful entertainment from The Dave Stephens Band, and a luxurious atmosphere that ensures a perfect ending to the evening. With limited attendance and weekend packages featuring premium accommodations, the evening is set to redefine exclusivity and intimacy for this celebrated event.
This yearβs gala shines a spotlight on Morlet Family Vineyards as the Honorary Vintner Chair. Based in St. Helena, Luc and Jodie Morlet handcraft vins de terroir and unique cuvΓ©es, blending classic French winemaking principles with California terroirs. The Morlet style embodies intensity, richness, and refinement, with each small-production wine crafted to showcase complexity and graceful aging capability.
Adding to the eveningβs prestige, acclaimed chef, author and mentor Chef Philip Tessier, Chef/Partner at PRESS Restaurant in St. Helena, California, will curate a gourmet dining experience. Best known for its modern, reο¬ned American cuisine, PRESS has earned a Michelin star and the distinction of being a Worldβs 50 Best Discovery restaurant. He will bring his acclaimed artistry to craft a one-of-a-kind dining experience, paired with the finest Napa Valley wines.
"Napa in Newport has become more than just a galaβitβs a symbol of hope, progress, and community,β shared Debra Miller, Founder and CEO of CureDuchenne. βFor over a decade, this extraordinary event has united wine enthusiasts and philanthropists in our shared mission to transform the future for those living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Each glass raised and every dollar donated brings us closer to life-changing treatments and, ultimately, a cure. This yearβs gala promises to be our most inspiring yet, and I am deeply grateful to our vintners, sponsors, and supporters for their unwavering dedication to our cause."
The event benefits CureDuchenne, a global leader in research, patient care and innovation for improving and extending the lives of those living with Duchenne, one of the most common and severe forms of muscular dystrophy. It affects roughly 1 in 5,000 male births and is 100% fatal. To date, Napa in Newport has helped raise more than $11 million for CureDuchenne.
Event sponsors include South Coast Plaza and The Caviar Company.
Sponsorships, tables and tickets are available. For more information on tickets, sponsorships, participating vintners, and silent auction, please visit www.napainnewport.org.
About CureDuchenne
Over twenty years ago, CureDuchenne was created with one goal: to find and fund a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, one of the most common and severe forms of muscular dystrophy. Today, CureDuchenne is recognized as a global leader in research, patient care, and innovation for improving and extending the lives of those with Duchenne. CureDuchenneβs innovative venture philanthropy model has advanced transformative treatments for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, including 18 projects that advanced to human clinical trials and multiple projects to overcome the limitations of exon-skipping and gene therapy. In addition, CureDuchenne contributed early funding to the first FDA-approved Duchenne drug, pioneered the first and only Duchenne physical and occupational therapist certification program and created an innovative biobank and data registry, accelerating research toward a cure. For more information on how to help raise awareness and funds needed for research, please visit cureduchenne.org.
