The 20th Annual Soirée du Vin for Silicon Valley International School (INTL) unfolded into an unforgettable evening filled with happiness, camaraderie, and joyful moments at Los Altos Hills’ gorgeous Fremont Hills Country Club. This milestone celebration marked two decades of tradition, standing as a vibrant testament to the enduring fellowship, strength, and evolution of the INTL community.
This year’s theme, Liquid Gold, shimmered throughout the event, inspiring both the atmosphere and attire. Many guests embraced the celebration by arriving in dazzling saris and Indian flair suits, filling the evening with rich color and elegance. The choice of attire perfectly embodied INTL’s spirit of internationalism, enhancing the lively sense of cultural celebration.
Wine Tasting: A Prelude to Delight
Graced by over 100 attendees, Soirée du Vin showcased the finest wines, delectable cuisine, and INTL’s unique community spirit. The event welcomed wine lovers, experience seekers, current parents, alumni and alumni parents, demonstrating how Soirée du Vin continues to bring generations of INTL families together. As the night progressed, the significance of the 20th anniversary was felt deeply, proving that this cherished tradition has truly aged like the fine wine it celebrates.
Guest Speaker: Pooja Gorthy of Calligraphy Wines
A highlight of the evening was the captivating and inspiring speech delivered by Pooja Gorthy, founder of Calligraphy Wines. Having immigrated from India and lived in California for over fifteen years, Pooja’s life is a blend of art, music, and technology. When choosing a name for her wine, she sought to reflect this deep connection between winemaking, symbolism, and artistry. This led her to choose Calligraphy, a name that embodies her philosophy of nurturing every element of farming and winemaking with love and sustainability.
Based in Sonoma County, Calligraphy Wines is a female-owned and run winery producing artisanal, small-lot Pinot Noir from the acclaimed Bootlegger’s Hill Vineyard in the Russian River Valley appellation. With an exciting future ahead, Calligraphy plans to develop the Gorthy-Challa Vineyards, a 24-acre estate in Sebastopol where morning fog blankets the land daily, ideal conditions for Pinot Noir.
Pooja also shared her hope that Calligraphy Wines, as a women-led business, can serve as an inspiration for other women entrepreneurs. She encouraged women to pursue their passions wholeheartedly, even when entering industries that are traditionally male-dominated. Her message resonated strongly with the audience, underscoring the importance of representation, resilience, and the courage to follow one’s vision.
A Gourmet Journey Through India
The Indian flair of this year’s Soirée du Vin continued seamlessly into the dinner portion of the evening, where guests were treated to a gourmet multi-course meal. Dishes such as chaat masala salad, masala-seared sea bass, and Bombay potatoes with greens brought rich flavors to the table, adding both warmth and authenticity to the celebration. The menu delighted palates while beautifully reflecting the evening’s Liquid Gold theme, creating a dining experience that was as memorable as it was flavorful. 
The Live Auction and Honoring Our Teachers
The highlight of the night was the honoring of our teachers. For the first time in Soirée du Vin’s history, an entire table of faculty members joined the celebration, and their presence brought an extra sense of warmth and joy to the evening. When Head of School Barbara Greiner paused during the live auction to recognize their dedication, the room filled with applause. It was a powerful moment that reminded everyone of the tremendous impact INTL’s teachers have on our students and community.
The appreciation continued to flow when the winner of the first wine lot raised their glass and shared champagne with all the teachers. This symbolic toast underscored the spirit of gratitude that defined the evening. Teachers smiled, laughed, and celebrated alongside alumni, parents, and friends, their enthusiasm met with equal energy from the rest of the room.
Throughout the auction, the teachers’ excitement was contagious. Every new bid sparked cheers, and their genuine joy reflected the close-knit spirit of the INTL community. The crowd rallied around them with the same excitement, creating a uniquely uplifting atmosphere.
The evening ended on a particularly special note when the teachers’ table placed a winning bid of their own. Their prize? A gourmet, wine-paired dinner prepared by none other than one of the finest chefs in the INTL community, Véronique Micha. The thought of our beloved faculty sharing another evening of celebration together felt like the perfect conclusion to a night dedicated not only to raising funds for the school but also to honoring the people who give so much of themselves to it.
By the end of the auction, more than $90,000 was raised in support of INTL’s Charlotte de Géry Endowment Fund, ensuring lasting support for the school’s mission and its students. This positive outcome highlighted the generosity of the community and underscored the enduring impact that Soirée du Vin has in advancing education year after year.
An Evening to Remember
From its elegant Indian-inspired attire to the exquisite wines and heartfelt fellowship, the 20th anniversary of Soirée du Vin was a golden celebration. It captured INTL’s community spirit, multiculturalism, joyful stewardship, and a deep commitment to advancing education.
To stay updated on next year’s Soirée du Vin, visit soireeduvin.org.
