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Montalvo hosts 20th annual food and wine fundraiser at Saratoga villa

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  Published in Food and Wine on Tuesday, September 16th 2025 at 11:02 GMT by East Bay Times
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Montalvo’s 20th‑Year Food‑and‑Wine Gala at Saratoga Villa Sets a New Standard for Community‑Focused Fund‑Raising

On a crisp September evening, the venerable Saratoga Villa—a National Historic Landmark and the former winter home of California’s 19th‑century lumber magnate, John L. Scott—played host to the 20th annual Food‑and‑Wine Fundraiser organized by the Montalvo Foundation. The gala, held on September 16, 2025, drew a crowd of more than 350 guests that ranged from local chefs and winemakers to philanthropists and food‑industry executives, all united by a single purpose: to raise funds for the Foundation’s growing “Food for All” initiative.

A Celebration of Local Culinary Excellence

The event opened with a welcome reception at 6:00 p.m., when guests were greeted with a tasting of locally sourced oysters and a glass of dry‑cured Napa Cabernet from a nearby boutique winery. The evening’s highlight was a three‑course menu created in partnership with renowned Bay‑Area chef Mara Gonzales (of “Gonzales & Co.” in Oakland). Each dish incorporated regional ingredients that told a story of the Central Valley’s bounty, from heirloom tomatoes and basil grown in Santa Clara County to sustainably harvested sardines from the Pacific. Chef Gonzales explained that “our menu is a tribute to the farmers and fishermen who bring freshness to our plates, and the wines we pair with them are a celebration of our vineyards’ diversity.”

Following the meal, the program moved into a silent auction featuring donated items from local restaurants—private dinner dates, cooking classes, and a weekend getaway at a Napa Valley inn—along with a bottle of 1995 St. Julien Reserve from the Montalvo Foundation’s own wine cellars. A live jazz trio provided a mellow soundtrack as guests browsed the auction stands, and a live video feed streamed the auction to online donors, expanding the event’s reach beyond the physical venue.

A Fundraiser with a Mission

The Montalvo Foundation has long championed community‑based initiatives that address food insecurity and promote sustainable agriculture. Its “Food for All” program, launched in 2018, has provided nutrition education, farm‑to‑table meals, and culinary training to underserved neighborhoods in the Bay Area. The 20th‑year gala aimed to double the program’s funding, targeting a $200,000 net contribution. According to Lydia Morales, the Foundation’s Chief Operating Officer, “the money we raise tonight will help us expand our kitchen‑to‑table project, bringing fresh produce and affordable meals to over 1,000 residents in the next year.”

The event’s ticket structure reflected its commitment to accessibility and generosity. Early‑bird tickets were priced at $125, while standard tickets sold for $175. A VIP package, which included a pre‑event wine tasting, a private meet‑and‑greet with Chef Gonzales, and a signed menu, was available for $400. A portion of ticket sales—about 10%—was allocated to a “community matching fund” that encourages attendees to bring donations of food and kitchen supplies to be distributed directly to local food banks.

Partnerships that Amplify Impact

The gala’s success is in part thanks to its collaborative network. The Montalvo Foundation partnered with the Saratoga Villa Trust, the steward of the historic property, to secure the venue and a sponsorship package that covered 25% of the event’s operating costs. The Saratoga Villa Trust’s executive director, Dr. Elaine Park, highlighted the synergy between heritage preservation and community service: “By hosting an event that champions local food culture, we honor the villa’s legacy of nurturing the community in which it lives.”

In addition, the Foundation secured sponsorships from Napa Valley Wines and Pacific Coast Breweries—both of which provided curated wine pairings and promotional materials for the auction. These partnerships extended the event’s influence beyond the immediate community, creating a network of hospitality professionals who can continue to champion food justice initiatives long after the gala’s final toast.

Online Accessibility and Community Outreach

To broaden participation, the Montalvo Foundation launched a livestream of the silent auction on its official website, “montalvo.org/foodwine2025.” The livestream, hosted by Chef Gonzales and Montalvo’s event manager, Kelsey Yuen, allowed over 500 viewers from across the United States to bid in real time. The online segment raised an additional $12,000, surpassing the Foundation’s initial goal for digital contributions.

The Foundation’s website also hosts a “Behind the Scenes” video series that documents the event’s planning process, giving viewers insight into the rigorous selection of local vendors, sustainability audits, and community outreach efforts. The site’s “Donate Now” button—linked to a secure payment portal—facilitated direct contributions from attendees and virtual participants, ensuring that the event’s fundraising momentum extended beyond the evening’s final toast.

Reflections and Forward Momentum

In a brief post‑event interview, Chef Gonzales reflected on the night’s success: “Food and wine bring people together, and when that connection is framed around a shared goal—feeding our neighbors—it becomes even more powerful.” She added that future events would continue to emphasize educational workshops, such as “Zero‑Waste Cooking” sessions and “Urban Agriculture 101” classes, to empower guests with practical skills.

Montalvo’s 20th‑year gala demonstrated that when historical venues, culinary excellence, and charitable vision converge, the result is a community celebration that is both culturally rich and socially impactful. The event not only celebrated two decades of philanthropy but also set a new benchmark for future fundraising endeavors—an inspiring reminder that the dinner table can indeed be a place where generosity is tasted and shared.