We look forward to celebrating with you at WineFest No. 29—A Toast to Children’s Health, a legacy poured with purpose: an annual weekend of events focused on the art of wine and food to benefit lifesaving research and care at the University of Minnesota and M Health Fairview Masonic Children's Hospital.

WineFest No. 29—held on May 8 and 9—will spotlight the Department of Pediatrics’ revolutionary advances in pediatric health while celebrating the Napa Valley’s Highway 29, a legendary route through the heart of wine country. At WineFest, you can indulge in exceptional wines, savor California-inspired dishes, bid on exceptional auction packages, and mingle with acclaimed Honorary Winemasters.

We’ve loved WineFest since we started attending in 2017. Our appreciation for its mission expanded exponentially when Mia developed some troubling symptoms six months into a pregnancy. Our urgent search for a diagnosis brought her to one of Masonic’s rare disease experts, who helped us find answers in a difficult time. So, as a former patient family—and as the parents of two bright, energetic kids (ages 1 and 3)—we feel an even deeper commitment to supporting M Health Fairview Masonic Children's Hospital’s innovative care and research.

The name of our St. Paul–based clothing brand, UNRL, captures that sense of wonder when something is so extraordinary, so unbelievable, that it seems unreal—a term that also describes how the M Health Fairview Masonic Children’s Hospital team extends the boundaries of what seems possible through transformative research, education, and care. Our motto at UNRL, Leave a Legacy, encapsulates our commitment to this vital—not to mention exceptionally delicious and fun—philanthropic event.

Plus, full disclosure: We’re aiming to make WineFest No. 29 a record-breaking fundraiser to fuel the University of Minnesota and M Health Fairview Masonic Children’s Hospital’s legacy of innovation and healing. Will you join us? Your WineFest ticket purchases, auction bids, and generous donations will help children survive and thrive. That’s the real prized vintage of WineFest—a legacy of trailblazing discoveries and stellar care.

We can’t wait to welcome you to WineFest No. 29—A Toast to Children’s Health.

CHEERS!

Mia and Michael E. Jordan

Nate Weis, Senior Winemaker & General Manager

Beaulieu Vineyard

Nate Weis grew up in the Napa Valley with a winemaker father and a collection of T-shirts emblazoned with winery logos. After an undergraduate degree in biopsychology and neuroscience, Nate was drawn to winemaking, so he advanced his education with an MS in viticulture and enology at UC Davis. Before joining Beaulieu Vineyard in March 2025, he worked for several well-respected Napa Valley wineries, including Silver Oak Winery, where he led winemaking and grape-growing operations for The Family of Silver Oak portfolio. Nate’s passion for terroir-driven winemaking and his ongoing commitment to quality shines through at Beaulieu Vineyard as he balances large-scale strategic leadership with hands-on artisanal winemaking.

Georgia Taylor, General Manager

Blackbird Vineyards

Georgia Taylor’s wine journey began in her father’s boutique wine shop in a small village in the southeast of England. After graduating from the University of Warwick with degrees in French and Italian, she accepted a marketing job with Dom Perignon in France’s Champagne region. In 2010, she moved to the Napa Valley, where she has since held positions at Newton Vineyard, Domaine Chandon, and Amizetta Vineyards. In 2021, acclaimed winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown handpicked Georgia to relaunch and rebrand Post Parade Wines. Then in January 2025 she began a new chapter as general manager of Blackbird Vineyards, a known for its Bordeaux-style wines. At Blackbird, Georgia spearheads strategy, marketing, sales, and operations.

Jason Lede, General Manager & COO

Cliff Lede Vineyards

Drawn to the wine business as a teenager, Jason Lede spent summers working at the family winery—and then built on that early foundation through harvests in Napa and South Australia and industry wholesale and retail experience. He holds a business degree from the University of San Francisco, an MBA from the University of Alberta, and an Advanced Wine Certificate from the International Sommelier Guild. After joining Cliff Lede Vineyards in 2015, Jason worked in sales, operations, and communications before becoming general manager and COO in 2025. He's on the board of Napa Valley Vintners, and he performs as a DJ at BottleRock Napa Valley and other high-profile events.

Nick Goldschmidt, Honorary Winemaster

Goldschmidt Vineyards

Renowned international winemaker Nick Goldschmidt grew up in New Zealand, where he earned a degree in horticulture before moving to Australia to study viticulture and enology. He worked at wineries in Chile and California before becoming the winemaker at Simi in the Sonoma Valley. During his long career at Simi—and its parent companies, first LVMH and later Constellation Brands, Allied Domecq, and Beam Estates—Nick advised grape growers and winemakers in Argentina, Australia, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand, and Spain. In 1998, Nick and his wife, Yolyn Goldschmidt, launched a line of single-vineyard, 100% varietal, small-production artisan wines under two distinct brands: Forefathers and Goldschmidt Vineyards.

Maja Jeramaz, Manager, Export and California Chains

Grgich Hills Estate

Maja Jeramaz is part of Grgich Hills Estate’s multigenerational legacy of winemaking, combining tradition with innovation. She joined the sales team at Grgich Hills Estate after graduating from UC Santa Cruz in 2015. After quickly establishing a reputation for deep knowledge of the winery and its wines, Maja grew into her current role overseeing global exports and sales of Grgich Hills Estate wines to California chains. The position continues to deepen her appreciation for wine’s ability to connect people across experiences, cultures, and geographies.

Tony Gatti, Regional Sales Manager–Midwest Region

HALL Wines

In 2019, Tony Gatti joined HALL Wines, where he oversees sales across 20 markets in the Midwest, Great Lakes, and Caribbean regions. A certified sommelier by the Court of Master Sommeliers, Tony holds a Level 4 Diploma from the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET), and he teaches the French Wine Scholar and WSET curriculums for the American Wine School. Before entering the wine industry, Tony spent over a decade in adventure tourism, living in and traveling to more than 80 countries.

Matt Taylor, Winemaker

Ink Grade

Matt Taylor was born and raised in Sonoma County. He was part of a Pac-10 championship team at the University of Washington before a back injury prompted him to pursue winemaking rather than football. After two years working and studying wine in Cádiz, Spain, he earned a postbaccalaureate degree in viticulture and enology from Fresno State University. He has held positions at Joseph Swan Vineyards, Domaine Dujac, Araujo Estate Wines, Reuling Vineyard, Front Porch Farm, Chamboulé, and 32 Winds Wines. He’s also the founder of Matt Taylor Wines. In 2020, Matt joined Lawrence Wine Estates in the Napa Valley as winemaker for its new label, Ink Grade.

Caitlin Kenefick, Second Generation Proprietor

Kenefick Vineyards and Winery

Caitlin Kenefick partners with her brother, Chris Kenefick, to build on her father’s vision for Kenefick Ranch, a site the family purchased in 1978. Growing up around the Calistoga vineyard was a hands-on part of Caitlin’s childhood, and she says a passion for farming is a legacy of her family’s Irish heritage. “I watched my dad, Dr. Tom Kenefick, a Minnesota native and physician, build this property from the ground up. His passion turned a special piece of land into a phenomenal vineyard.” In 2002, the ranch began producing its own portfolio of award-winning wines. Today, Caitlin strategizes key business decisions in collaboration with her brother and travels around the country to showcase the brand at wine events.

DLynn Proctor, Vintner

PENSMAN ESTATE; PENSEN ITALICO

DLynn Proctor, the dynamic proprietor of PENSMAN ESTATE; PENSEN ITALICO, crafts wines that resonate with seasoned collectors and casual enthusiasts alike. He trained alongside top winemakers in Australia, California, and Italy before being named Best New Sommelier in America in by Wine & Spirits Magazine and one of Wine Enthusiast’s 40 under 40 Tastemakers. DLynn is a celebrated media personality who has shared his passion for wine with the SOMM films, on Kevin Hart’s talk show Hart to Heart, and with Uncorked, a Netflix original film. As a co-founder of the nonprofit Wine Unify, DLynn works to welcome and elevate the voices of people of color and underrepresented communities in the wine industry.

Heather Kormos, Sales & Hospitality Manager

Saint Helena Winery

In her more than twenty years of experience supporting luxury clients in the wine industry, Heather Kormos has collaborated with an array of luminary vintners, including the Wagner family of Caymus Vineyards and winemaker and entrepreneur Heidi Peterson Barrett. In 2011, she joined the team at the Napa Valley’s Saint Helena Winery—a small private winery specializing in estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignons—where Heather is responsible for allocations, events, and wine member relations.

Brooke Shenk, Winemaker

St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery

Brooke Shenk is committed to producing high-quality, diverse wines at St. Supéry Estate Vineyards, where she joined the team in 2006. Since her first Sonoma Valley harvest as an intern, Brooke has held various lab and production roles in California and, for two years, in New Zealand. Today, as St. Supéry’s winemaker, she leverages her experience and passion to coordinate the complex factors that influence cellar activities for St. Supéry’s estate-grown, -produced, and -bottled wines. Brooke also has a Minnesota connection: Her parents lived in New Prague for 15 years while her father was part of the executive management team at Mystic Lake Casino.

Distinguished Vintners

• Jesse Morrow - Cline Family Cellars
• Katie Stenson - The Calling
• Paul Kochevar - Dutcher Crossing Winery
• Neil Maiers - Repris
• Dodds Delzell - Sangiacomo Family Wines
• Allisun Grandy - Schramsberg Vineyards
• Jason Heintz - Skipstone Winery

WineFest No. 29 - Emcees

Magnum Meander

Grand Tasting

Bubbles & Brunch

Fine Wine Dinner

Maney Happy Heart Fund

After a concerning ultrasound while expecting their second daughter, Kristen and Matt Maney were directed to M Health Fairview Masonic Children’s Hospital. There they found life-saving care and support—from innovative surgery when Kiera was one week old through a 40-day hospital stay and follow-ups.

Today Kiera is in peak toddler mode, tantrums and all, as she plays with her sister, 4-year-old Makenna. “This experience taught us to live each day like it’s a blessing, not a given,” shares Kristen.

“We get to watch Kiera grow and succeed,” Matt adds. “We started the Maney Happy Heart Fund to pay our gratitude forward.”

The fund supports promising research into rare cardiac diseases in children, including the ground-breaking work of Kiera’s surgeon, Dr. Pranava Sinha, co-director of the hospital’s Heart Center.

Zac Bartz

“How much does a miracle cost?” Zachary Bartz asked. “I don’t know,” his mom told him, “but we’re sure going to try.”

At 19 months old, Zac was diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1), a rare genetic disorder that causes benign and malignant tumors. He came to M Health Fairview Masonic Children’s Hospital, a leader in NF treatment, where for years he battled recurring tumors with a never-give-up attitude.

After Zac’s passing in 2013, his family launched the Zachary NF Research Fund to fuel the miracle Zac sought—a cure for NF and related cancers. The money raised helps Dr. Christopher Moertel and Dr. David Largaespada—members of Zac’s care team and leaders in the field—conduct cutting-edge NF research in search of new therapies.

Zac Strong | zacharynfresearchfund.com

Ben’s Buddies

In 2005, Ben Hanson was born six weeks premature with a rare lymphatic disorder. Although not expected to survive his first night, Ben lived for two months in the NICU, where he was cared for by a team led by Dr. Catherine Bendel and U of M neonatology fellows.

To memorialize Ben, his parents, Brian and Kate Hanson, created the Benjamin Walker Hansen Neonatology Fund to advance neonatology education and research.

The Hansons celebrated Ben’s life and raised money through the Ben’s Buddies Golf Tournament, sunsetting this September, and the Ben’s Buddies Birthday Bash.

According to Kate, creating a lasting legacy in Ben’s name helped his family channel their loss. “We found establishing the fund incredibly healing—knowing that we’re supporting better outcomes for babies and that we’ll see Ben’s name forever.”

LEAD THE WAY FOUNDATION

Imagine Award presented to Chad and Jenni Greenway

Chad and Jenni Greenway launched the Lead the Way Foundation in 2008 to ease the challenges of serious pediatric illness for patients and families.

“We’ve been so fortunate,” says Chad, a former Vikings linebacker. “This is a way to give back.”

Chad’s Lockers—piloted at M Health Fairview Masonic Children’s Hospital—brings technology libraries to 11 Midwest hospitals. Foundation programs also create memory-making events and experiences for kids and families.

“We do it for the families we’re impacting,” Jenni explains. “We do it for our daughters. And because we love it.”

HUNTINGTON BANK

Corporate Citizen Award

Huntington Bank’s mission centers on overlapping goals—improving lives, strengthening communities, and helping businesses thrive.

Activating its people-first vision, in 2021 the bank pledged $500,000 toward emergency financial assistance for families with M Health Masonic Children’s Hospital patients facing life-threatening diseases or mental health challenges. It has since surpassed $1 million in giving to the hospital.

“Our purpose is to make people’s lives better,” says Michael Maeser, the bank’s Minnesota regional president. “That’s the legacy we want to build here and across the other regions Huntington Bank serves.”

REBOUND CLUB

Ambassador Award presented to Chad, Kate, Jack & Sam Hetherington

Brothers Jack and Sam Hetherington, Edina teens and enthusiastic Timberwolves fans, launched Rebound Club in 2023 to bring smiles to M Health Masonic Children’s Hospital patients and their families.

Jack and Sam have raised $300,000, and partnered with the TB1 Fund, to provide a luxury suite experience—a safe opportunity for patients who can’t be in a big crowd—for up to 20 patients and 240 total guests each year.

“We want to build a legacy of giving back to others with Rebound Club—and hopefully influence others to do the same,” says Jack.