The 21st Annual Soirée du Vin was a tremendous success, raising over $160,000 for the Charlotte de Géry Endowment Fund, the most money ever raised at a Soirée du Vin in support of Silicon Valley International School (INTL). With more than 100 guests in attendance, Soirée du Vin brought together wine lovers, curious experience-seekers, current parents, alumni, alumni parents, and seven talented pourers.
This year’s Soirée du Vin theme turned the page on a new chapter with Well Red, celebrating the strength of our school’s roots, the generosity of its community, and the boundless potential of its students.
A Night of Well Red
Guests were welcomed into an evening inspired by the rich colors, traditions, and stories of wine. From subtle touches of crimson and burgundy to vibrant ruby hues, attendees embraced the Well Red theme with their attire, creating a beautiful sea of red throughout the evening. The colors of the night paired perfectly with the red wines that took center stage throughout the celebration.
An Exquisite Wine Tasting
The wine tasting hour gave guests the opportunity to mingle, reconnect, and discover an exceptional selection of wines from our lovely pourers: Calligraphy, Clif Family Winery, Domaine Dardagny, Euclid, Inversion Wines, Ridge Vineyards, and Thomas Fogarty Winery.
The sun was shining bright over Fremont Hills Country Club, but the smiles outside were just as brilliant. The tasting set the tone for an evening filled with great wine, wonderful food, and the unmistakable spirit of the INTL community.
Honoring a Dream: The Story of Inversion Wines
One of the most meaningful moments of the evening came from guest speaker Anne Leyrat, who shared the moving story of how she continues to carry on the dream of her late husband, Gilles Leyrat.
Gilles envisioned a retirement rooted in the earth, with the dream of growing grapes and making his own wine. Inspired by the high-altitude terrain near Montevina Ridge, he hoped to produce a Syrah that could rival the Côtes-Rôties of France that he loved so dearly.
Although Gilles passed away in 2022, before the official launch of the winery, his dream continues through Anne, the vines he lovingly tended, and the wine they created together. Today, that shared legacy lives on through Inversion Wines.
Before Anne took the stage, guests watched a tribute film honoring Gilles and the dream that continues to shape the winery. Her story offered a particularly poignant reminder that wine is about more than what is poured into a glass, it can preserve memories, connect generations, and carry a story forward.
While Gilles left us too early to tell his own story, the wine enjoyed by guests during dinner offered a beautiful way for his legacy to connect with everyone in the room.
Following Anne’s moving tribute, guests enjoyed a delicious dinner before the evening shifted into another memorable part of the celebration: the live auction. With full glasses, full hearts, and plenty of excitement in the room, guests were ready to raise their paddles in support of INTL and the future of its students.
An Auction Full of Energy and Generosity
As the evening continued, the energy in the room grew. The spirited bidding brought laughter, excitement, and plenty of memorable moments to the room. As winning bids were announced, triumphant bidders raised their arms in celebration, sharing their excitement with the room and adding to the lively energy of the auction.
This record-breaking result highlighted the incredible generosity of the INTL community and underscored the enduring impact that Soirée du Vin has in advancing education year after year. From the first pour of the evening to the final raised paddle, the night was a powerful celebration of what can happen when a community comes together around a shared purpose.
A Toast to the INTL Community
The 21st Annual Soirée du Vin was more than an evening of exceptional wine, delicious food, and spirited bidding. It was a celebration of the people who make INTL such a special community, and of the generations of students and families who continue to shape its story.
Thank you to everyone who joined us, shared in the celebration, contributed to the auction, and helped make this year’s Soirée du Vin such a memorable evening. Your generosity, enthusiasm, and commitment to INTL made this record-breaking celebration possible.
We raise our glasses to the INTL community and to the many chapters still to come!
Cheers to Well Red!
