10th Anniversary Napa in Newport: A Decade of Wine, Philanthropy, and Hope

Marking a significant milestone, Napa in Newport benefiting CureDuchenne will commemorate its 10th anniversary on April 20, at the luxurious Pendry Newport Beach. Esteemed for its unparalleled selection of Napa Valley's finest wines, this year’s gala is a celebration of a decade-long journey of philanthropy, community, and exquisite wine. 

The gala showcases a Grand Tasting, dining tables hosted by vintners, a handcrafted dinner with carefully selected wine pairings, and extraordinary auction items including rare wines, luxurious vacations, and one-of-a-kind experiences. 

The evening is set to be more intimate than ever before, with limited attendance and new, luxurious weekend ticket packages that include hotel accommodations and amenities.

Napa in Newport has become Southern California’s quintessential wine event, blending the prestige of Napa Valley with the passionate pursuit of a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a genetic neuromuscular disease. The journey to this prestigious gala began serendipitously when Paul and Debra Miller, founders of CureDuchenne and parents of a young man with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, attended Auction Napa Valley, the wine-growing region’s extravagant annual wine auction. 

There, a chance encounter with Vineyard 29 proprietors Chuck and Anne McMinn sparked the idea of bringing the best of Napa to Newport Beach for a charity event. This idea rapidly transformed into reality with the inaugural Napa in Newport in 2015, featuring 29 vintners and eventually growing to include 43 of the most prestigious Napa wineries, solidifying its reputation for offering an unmatched collection of high-quality, limited-production wines.

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 $10.6 million for CureDuchenne.

The 10th-anniversary Napa in Newport promises an exclusive experience with meticulously selected vintners, including the distinguished Alpha Omega Winery as the Honorary Vintner Chair, and a gourmet dinner curated by Chef Charles Phan, Executive Chef and Founder of Slanted Door. CureDuchenne will also honor Douglas S. Ingram, president and Chief Executive Officer of Sarepta Therapeutics, for his dedication to advancing treatments and support for individuals with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Sarepta Therapeutics has four FDA-approved therapies, including the only gene therapy for Duchenne.

Debra Miller, founder and CEO of CureDuchenne, shared her reflections: "Over the past decade, Napa in Newport has not just been an event; it's been a movement that has had tremendous impact. CureDuchenne has leveraged the funds raised at Napa in Newport, more than $10.6M, to make strategic investments in promising research and significantly drive scientific progress. There is more hope and progress toward a cure than ever before, including the first gene therapy for Duchenne developed by Sarepta Therapeutics and approved by the FDA, and multiple treatments with potential to delay the progression of the disease in the FDA drug approval pipeline. But we’re not done until everyone with Duchenne has a transformative treatment. This anniversary celebrates hope, progress, and the unwavering dedication of our community toward finding a cure for all."

Alpha Omega is a certified sustainable winery that farms prized grapes from its estate and many of Napa Valley’s most historic vineyards, producing world-class wines utilizing a combination of traditional handcrafted techniques and modern technology.

Event sponsors include Porsche Newport Beach, Porsche Irvine, South Coast Plaza, MWA Luxury, and Caviar Company.

Limited sponsorships and tickets are available. The event’s silent auction will be online and open for public bidding. For more information on tickets, sponsorships, participating vintners, and silent auction, please visit www.napainnewport.org

Image of Paul Miller, Debra Miller, Peter Strelow Courtesy of CureDuchenne