Christopher Kostow, David Duncan and Jeff Gargiulo embody the best of Napa Valley. Kostow, the man responsible for earning The Restaurant at Meadowood its three Michelin stars, is defining the art of Napa-specific cuisine. Longtime vintner pals Duncan and Gargiulo produce some of the Valley’s best wines — Silver Oak and Twomey for Duncan, 575 OVX, Money Road Ranch, G Major 7 and Aprile for Gargiulo – and are members of one of the Valley’s best bands: both play together in the rockabilly outfit the Silverado Pickups. What each of these men has in common is an unwavering love of the place that they call home. This, in addition to their respective award-winning talents, is what has led each to play such instrumental roles in cultivating Napa’s most important fundraising event of the year: the 34th Annual Auction Napa Valley: The American Wine Classic.
Duncan, alongside wife Kary, and Gargiulo, alongside wife Valerie, are co-chairing this year’s event, an affair that, since its inception in 1981, has donated more than $120 million to nonprofit organizations in Napa County. Kostow is in charge of curating the menu of gourmet farm-to-table offerings from the Valley’s winemakers, growers, foragers, hunters, millers and purveyors that guests will enjoy during the live auction celebration on June 7. Together, this powerful trifecta will come together to top last year’s record-shattering $16.9 million and, of course, to eat, drink and be merry on the lush grounds of H. William Harlan’s luxe Meadowood resort. Find out why, for these three, this year’s Auction theme couldn’t be more apt: it truly is a ‘Sweet Home Napa Valley.’
