The Inimitable Soirée du Vin: Friendship, Generosity, and Fine Wine

David Graves of Saintsbury Winery led INTL* parents in a rousing rendition of a traditional Swedish drinking song.

Spirited INTL parents chanted each other’s names, as they encouraged each other to raise their auction numbers.

The “bon vivant of Au Bon Climat” took to the stage to entice guests with an additional 2-night stay at his personal ranch.

Friends laughed, hugged, toasted each other, and high-fived as the bidding went ever higher.

Four INTL moms bid on and won a 7-night stay in Strasbourg, France, where they plan to run away for an INTL moms-only getaway!

David Graves even offered bidders the chance to drive his winery’s forklift.

All these unexpected and joyful scenes could be found at last night’s annual Soirée du Vin Wine Auction.

It was an evening of fun, friendship, and community celebration in the name of a good cause. The night featured the liveliest auction we have seen in years, and the spirited bidding inspired incredible generosity from our guests.

Ada Wong, one of the excited INTL moms heading to Strasbourg, France, said, “This was my first time at Soirée du Vin. It was a great pre-gala event, for a great cause.”

In addition to the excitement of the auction, the evening also offered the sensory pleasures of wine tasting with our 8 pouring vintners. The Soirée du Vin has proven very popular with our vintners, who despite receiving no monetary reward, continue to return year after year.

Randall Grahm of Bonny Dune Vineyard explains, “It is lovely to meet school parents who are oenophiles. I have been to so many events where parents are not well educated about wine, so it is truly a pleasure to serve the parents at INTL, who really know their wine.”

Paul Draper of Ridge Vineyards, who has attended Soirée du Vin every year since it began in 2005, echoes Randall’s sentiment. “Each year, there is always a sophisticated crowd that appreciates fine wine. That makes it fun to pour at this event. Also, it’s a wonderful cause.”

In fact, this commitment to INTL’s mission reinforces our vintners’ dedication to making sure the Soirée du Vin continues for years to come.

When Jim Clendenen made an unexpected trip to the podium to tout his lot, he explained that he had come because he felt a responsibility to the cause of international education.

This commitment to INTL’s educational mission was the underlying sentiment that united all our guests last night, and it was a wonderful feeling.

*In 2020, the International School of the Peninsula (ISTP) formally changed its name to Silicon Valley International School (INTL) to better reflect its bilingual programs, location, and international values.