Zinfandel is king in California wine country. So it’s only natural that one of Sonoma County’s most beloved charity wine events, Project Zin 2025, returns for its 15th anniversary on Saturday, August 16, 2025 at Bricoleur Vineyards in Windsor, California.
What began as a modest $25,000 fundraiser in 2010 has today evolved into one of Northern California’s most beloved charitable traditions. Founded by Mauritson Wines proprietors Clay and Carrie Mauritson — along with James Beard Award-winning Chef Charlie Palmer — Project Zin galvanizes a passionate community of acclaimed wineries, celebrated chefs and extraordinary auction lots to support Down Syndrome Connection of the Bay Area.
Showcasing 21 Zinfandel producers — symbolizing Trisomy 21, the medical term for Down Syndrome — alongside multiple Michelin-starred chefs and an exclusive auction lineup, the celebration raised nearly $400,000 in 2024 and more than $3 million since inception.
A deeply personal cause, Project Zin celebrates the Mauritson’s journey with their son Brady, the heart of Project Zin’s mission following his Down Syndrome diagnosis at the age of 2 ½. The Mauritson family — who had been growing grapes in Sonoma’s Dry Creek Valley since 1868 — chose to transform their challenge into action. “Brady has taught us that our differences are our greatest strengths, and that community support can move mountains,” said Clay Mauritson, whose family’s 350-acre vineyard operation represents six generations of winemaking heritage.
Close friend and renowned James Beard award-winning Chef Charlie Palmer has been Mauritson’s partner since the event’s inception. Chef Palmer, whose restaurants have earned more than 20 Michelin stars, brings his culinary expertise to Project Zin through his Dry Creek Kitchen at Hotel Healdsburg.
“Clay and Carrie’s commitment to their son, his peers, and the cause represents everything I believe in about hospitality and human connection,” says Chef Palmer. “Working with the Mauritson family and supporting DSCBA has been one of the most rewarding partnerships of my career.” says Chef Palmer.
The 2025 event will showcase an impressive lineup of 21 Zinfandel producers, including Aperture Cellars, A. Rafanelli Winery, Bedrock Wine Co., Bella Vineyards + Wine Caves, Bricoleur Vineyards, Carlisle Winery, Flambeaux Wine, Gamba Vineyards and Winery, Hartford Family Winery, Lambert Bridge Winery, Limerick Lane Cellars, Martinelli Winery, Mauritson Wines, Nalle Winery, Once & Future Wine, Portalupi Winery, Ridge Vineyards, Robert Biale Vineyards, Turley Wine Cellars, Seghesio Family Vineyards, and Zialena Winery.
The culinary program features an extraordinary collection of Michelin-starred talent and local favorites. SingleThread Farms, helmed by Chef Kyle and Katina Connaughton, brings their three-Michelin-star expertise to the event, joining fellow participants including Chef Palmer’s Dry Creek Kitchen, Acorn Cafe, Appellation Healdsburg, Bird & the Bottle, Catelli’s, Diavola Pizzeria, Montage Healdsburg, Soco Cheese Boards, Sweet T’s Restaurant + Bar, Taylor Lane Organic Coffee, The Parish Café, and The Matheson.
Franco Finn, the Golden State Warriors’ beloved hype man, returns to host a live auction full of one-of-a-kind lots, including a V Foundation package at Madison Square Garden, a European/Mekong river cruise with business class flights, an exclusive bourbon and wine dinner with Julian Van Winkle, and a “Winemaker for the Weekend” experience at Limerick Lane Cellars. Additional highlights include a Family Rafting Adventure on the Ruby-Horsethief in Moab, Utah, a Healdsburg Weekend with Winemaker Henry de Lambert, and an LPGA tournament package.
“Project Zin has given me a chance to share my story and show that people with Down Syndrome can achieve anything they set their minds to,” said Brady Mauritson, now 17 and a passionate advocate for inclusion. “Every year, I see how this event brings people together and shows that our community is stronger when everyone is included.”
WHERE TO STAY: VIP weekend packages elevate the experience with overnight accommodations at Hotel Healdsburg ($3,600) and Harmon Guest House ($3,100), featuring exclusive access to Saturday events, including a new event combining the acclaimed SingleThread Farms experience with intimate tastings at Mauritson Wines. General admission tickets are $200, with VIP event tickets at $350. Tickets and VIP packages are available at www.projectzin.org.
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Vicki Arkoff
Based in Los Angeles, Vicki Arkoff is Editor at Large for Pursuitist and a founding editor for Holiday Goddess, the online destination for chic women travelers from the editors of Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Grazia, Conde Nast Traveler, and BBC. Her travel and lifestyle reports can also be been seen in Atlas Obscura, The Awesomer, DaySpa, The Chicago Tribune, CNN Travel, JustLuxe, Lonely Planet, Los Angeles Times, New York Daily News, Toronto Star, WellSpa 360, WestJet Magazine, Where Traveler, Where Guestbook, Yahoo News, and dozens more. She’s co-author of the bestselling Holiday Goddess books (HarperCollins and iTunes) including ‘The Holiday Goddess Guide to Paris, London, New York, Rome,’ a travel Top 10 staple. As editor, Vicki’s other books include ‘Sinatra’ (DK), ‘Inside Mad’ (Time-Life) and ‘Virgin Los Angeles’ (Virgin Books). She is one of the Usual Gang of Idiots for MAD Magazine, an entertainment reporter (Daily Variety, Entertainment Weekly, Los Angeles Magazine, CREEM), and authorized biographer for pop culture icons from the Beach Boys to Beastie Boys, Paul McCartney to MC Hammer.
Dining and Cooking