When Jack Wolf was eight years old he wanted to be an astronaut and explore space. But by 10, his reach was restrained. That’s when he lost the ability to walk and was confined to a wheel chair.
Wolf is impacted by Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and Napa Valley vintners took up the cause recently, helping organizers raise $1 million for research.
The vintners took part in a wine auction gaining momentum, one that reconfigures geography – placing Napa squarely in Newport Beach – at least for one day every year.
Napa in Newport, now in its third year, was March 4 at the Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel. More than 40 Napa vintners poured their wines to help organizers with their mission — to raise money for Duchenne muscular dystrophy research and help those impacted by it. The genetic disease weakens the muscle strength of those affected.
Wolf said it’s not easy to live with the disease, but it’s possible with supportive parents. Here’s the link to a touching video about this teenager who has surmounted incredible odds to live a full life. http://bit.ly/2mQWol3
The deLeuze family of ZD Wines was the honorary chair this year, and CEO/Partner Robert deLeuze, said “We are honored to be able to help fund and support an important treatment and ultimately a cure for this terrible disease. The caring winemakers of the Napa Valley and all of the attendees of the auction know that a real difference is within reach. We look forward to continuing to support Napa in Newport in the future.”
CureDuchenne’s mission to extend and improve the lives of those affected by Duchenne, a fatal genetic disease that causes muscle degeneration in children, typically boys. Those with Duchenne often lose their ability to walk by their mid-teens and the disease claims their lives by their mid-20s. Over the years, CureDuchenne has become the force behind considerable advances in Duchenne treatment. At this time, there is no cure for Duchenne.
In addition to ZD Wines, other participating wineries included Anomaly Vineyards, Arkenstone, Arrow&Branch, Blackbird Vineyards, BOND Estates, Bure Family Wines, Continuum Estate, Crocker & Starr, Darioush, David Arthur Vineyards, Davis Estates, Fairchild Napa Valley, Fait-Main Wines, Freemark Abbey Winery, Gandona Estate, Gemstone Vineyard, Handwritten Wines, Hill Family Estate, Hundred Acre, Italics Winegrowers, JCB by Jean-Charles Boisset, Joseph Phelps Vineyards, Melka Wines, Memento Mori Winery , Morlet Family Vineyards, Nellcôte, PATEL Napa Valley, Quintessa, Realm Cellars, Relic Wine Cellars, Reynolds Family Winery, Sodhani Vineyards, Sojourn Cellars, St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery, Truchard Vineyards, Trujillo Wines, and Vineyard 29.
