Sonoma County Vintners Foundation is thrilled to announce Jean-Charles Boisset as Vintner Honoree and Dustin Valette as Chef Honoree for the 2022 Sonoma County Wine Auction (SCWA). Presented by Vintec, the auction will spotlight the philanthropy and community dedication of the recipients during events planned for Thursday, September 15 through Saturday, September 17, 2022.
“We are honored to support the Sonoma County Wine Auction for another year of essential fundraising that directly impacts an amazing range of important causes throughout Sonoma County,” remarked Jean-Charles Boisset, Proprietor of Boisset Collection. “It is our great responsibility to sustain these organizations…they help strengthen our local communities so they can thrive!”
“We strive for prosperity in the soil, sophistication in the glass, and community at the table,” said Dustin Valette. “My family feels lucky to have deep roots in Sonoma County, surrounded by world-class wine and food growers, and we’re honored to be able to give back to the people who make this place so special.”
Jean-Charles Boisset was born into the world of wine in the village of Vougeot (Burgundy), France—the heart and birthplace of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. His passion for historic California estates endowed with heritage and a pioneering spirit led him to Sonoma County in 2003, where he purchased DeLoach Vineyards, an early producer of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Zinfandel in the Russian River Valley. The purchase of Buena Vista Winery, California’s first premium winery, followed in 2011, and the Oakville Grocery (Healdsburg) was added in 2019. His boundless energy and drive for innovation support his leadership of a number of wineries, tasting rooms and lifestyle destinations across Sonoma County, Napa Valley and San Francisco united under the Boisset Collection portfolio. He has a deep commitment to local philanthropy and was an Honorary Event Co-Chair for the 2015 Sonoma County Wine Auction. In addition to SCVF initiatives, Boisset has supported many other charitable organizations in the community.
A Sonoma County native, chef and winemaker Dustin Valette, owner of the acclaimed Valette and The Matheson, began his restaurant career as a dishwasher for Catelli’s in his hometown of Geyserville. He honed his craft in some of the most celebrated restaurants all over the United States before returning to Healdsburg as executive chef at Dry Creek Kitchen. While there, he garnered acclaim for cultivating strong relationships with local farmers and purveyors in search of Sonoma County’s best. Chef Valette strongly believes that supporting community is essential to success. He has been extremely active in many charitable programs throughout the local community, including SCWA where he served as Culinary Chair in 2017 and 2018. From feeding first responders alongside numerous other chefs and business owners during wildfires to raising money for those in need, Dustin and his family embody the wonderful philanthropic spirit of our community.
“We look forward to honoring Jean-Charles and Dustin for their passion, their expertise and incredibly kind hearts,” said Michael Haney, Sonoma County Vintners Executive Director. “These honorees have spent countless hours giving back to our Sonoma County community and we are grateful for their support in making this year’s SCWA a success.”
Funds raised at SCWA allow SCVF to support organizations with a focus on literacy, education, health & human services, the environment, arts & culture, and emergency response. To date, these funds have supported more nonprofits than any other fundraising event in Sonoma County. SCVF was able to make grants to over 90 nonprofit organizations in 2021, assisting thousands of those in need.
“We are thankful for the Sonoma County Vintners Foundation’s generous grant to Side by Side’s YouThrive and Community Counseling collaboration in Petaluma schools,” said Christine Isana Garcia, Chief Executive Officer, Side By Side. “By supporting our new three-tier mental health and early intervention project, SCVF helped us tighten the safety net for youth on the edge of or in crisis after over a year of COVID-19, distance learning, social isolation, and for many families, financial challenges.”
To learn more about the Sonoma County Wine Auction and organizations supported through fundraising efforts, please visit sonomacountywineauction.com. Ticket and event details for the three-day auction event, September 15-17, 2022, will be announced soon.
