Wine Circle

This exclusive assortment features a selection of wines enjoyed at the Lycée Français de San Francisco Wine Circle 2025—a perfect memento of the evening’s exceptional pairings.

The Endowment Fund
Financial Aid

In 2024, the Board of Trustees established the MIND Endowment Scholarship: Merit, Inclusivity, Need-Driven Endowment Fund.

This scholarship is dedicated to high school students who have demonstrated exceptional academic merit and are subject to economic constraints. It ensures their access to the Lycée quality education.

The MIND Scholarship exemplifies the Lycée’s commitment to fostering a nurturing and inclusive educational environment, where financial barriers are minimized, and every deserving student has the opportunity to thrive.

L’Aventure Estate Reserve 2022, Paso Robles Willow Creek District (Magnum)
A remarkable expression from one of Paso Robles’ most acclaimed estates, the 2022 Estate Reserve showcases both power and finesse from the renowned Willow Creek District.

Benom “Contrast“ 2024, Paso Robles (Magnum)
Crafted by the Fabre brothers, this limited-release 2024 “Contrast” embodies a bold, modern vision of Paso Robles winemaking, uniting French heritage with California innovation.

Donors:
L’AVENTURE Winery & BENOM Wines

Enjoy an Intimate Journey Through Napa Valley's Premier Cabernet Sauvignon Terroir

Discover the art of winemaking from vine to barrel with this exclusive experience for up to 6 guests at Handwritten Wines in the heart of Napa Valley.

TASTING: Step into the working winery—not a tasting room, but the actual barrel cellar where the magic happens. Surrounded by rows of French oak barrels, you'll taste directly from the barrel with winemaker Andrew Wright: pure, unblended 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley's most distinguished AVAs.

This is wine in its rawest, most honest form—before bottling, before blending, when each barrel tells the unique story of its terroir. Explore the remarkable distinctions between Napa's renowned appellations—from the elegance of Oakville to the power of Howell Mountain, from the sophistication of Stags Leap to the depth of Rutherford.

BREAD AND BUTTER PAIRING: Then, continue your journey at the Handwritten Wines tasting room for an elegant Bread & Butter pairing, where finished wines meet artisanal accompaniments in a relaxed, convivial setting.

This full-day experience offers both the raw intensity of barrel tasting and the refined pleasure of wines in their final form—a complete immersion into what makes Handwritten Wines' single-AVA approach so distinctive.

More than a tasting—this is a day-long passage through wine country, moving from the intimate cellar to the welcoming tasting room, and an unforgettable experience to share with your closest friends or family.

Experience includes:

• Private barrel tasting with winemaker Andrew Wright for up to 6 guests
• Guided exploration of multiple Napa Valley AVA Cabernet Sauvignons
• Bread & Butter tasting at the Handwritten Wines tasting room
• Exclusive access to Handwritten Wines' working winery and barrel cellar

Donors:
Andrew WRIGHT, Winemaker
HANDWRITTEN WINES

TWO NIGHT STAY AT THE EXCLUSIVE POETRY INN: Perched above the valley floor in the Stags Leap District, the inn offers sweeping vineyard views, exceptional privacy, and personalized service. Each suite features a private terrace, deep soaking tub, and a gourmet breakfast prepared with seasonal, locally sourced ingredients.

MERLOT MASTERY EXPERIENCE: Your getaway includes an immersive Merlot Mastery experience at Sullivan Rutherford Estate, Juan-Pablo’s boutique winery celebrated for its world-class Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Following a guided tour of the estate grounds, guests will enjoy tastings of rare and reserve Merlots paired with small bites crafted by local chefs.

TEQUILA TASTING: Return to Poetry Inn for a private Loco Tequila tasting, featuring Mexico’s first luxury sipping tequila, crafted from estate-grown Blue Weber agave and aged to perfection at the historic Hacienda La Providencia in Jalisco’s UNESCO-protected Tequila Valley.

This is a one-of-a-kind Napa experience, curated exclusively for the Lycée Français de San Francisco Wine Circle Event.

Donor:
Juan Pablo TORRES-PADILLA, Owner, SULLIVAN RUTHERFORD ESTATE
POETRY INN and LOCO TEQUILA

Treat 24 guests to an in-home tasting of boutique French wines. Frédérick Boelen, an expert sommelier, will tailor this experience to your expectations with wines that you will select beforehand with him. Typically reserved for wine club members only, this rare opportunity offers a private tasting of estate wines from small producers across some of France's most renowned regions - Champagne, Burgundy, Loire Valley, Provence, Rhône, and Bordeaux, just to name a few.

Whether you're a wine connoisseur or simply love sharing great moments with friends, this tasting is the perfect way to elevate your next gathering at home.

Donor: 
Frédérick BOELEN, Owner of LA CAVE

Known as the Premier Food & Wine Tasting Experience in the Napa Valley, this private, seated lunch for up to 8 guests offers an unforgettable immersion into the world of Château Potelle. Each course is artfully paired with VGS wines— renowned for their purity, balance, and expressive character— served in individually selected Riedel glasses designed to enhance the unique character of every wine.
A multi-course menu prepared by acclaimed chef Ken Frank from La Toque Restaurant, creates a perfect harmony between wine and cuisine; each bite and sip reflecting the balance, creativity, and craftsmanship that define Napa Valley at its best. This is not merely a meal, but a curated sensory journey, where exceptional winemaking meets Michelin starred gastronomy in an intimate, elegant settings.

Donor:
Jean-Noël DE FOURMEAUX DU SARTEL, owner & founder VGS Château Potelle
LA TOQUE RESTAURANT

TASTING: Enjoy an exclusive tasting for four at Hyde de Villaine (HdV)
with Winemaker Guillaume Boudet—renowned for his elegant Pinot
Noir and Chardonnay—and Camille Gaïo or Anne Fogerty.

LUNCH: Follow with a private lunch at Maison Fayard, catered by
Grace’s Table, a celebrated Napa Valley restaurant. Over lunch, enjoy a blind tasting of old French and California wines, guided by the wine-makers themselves.

WINE TO TAKE HOME: Magnum Hyde de Villaine Chardonnay 2022 which showcases Hyde Vineyard’s terroir with vibrant fruity notes, refined minerality, and depth from 18 months of aging. Magnum Belharra Syrah, Los Carneros “Las Madres“ 2017 offering rich violet, cassis, and olive tapenade notes with supple depth and a long, savory finish from French oak aging.

Donors: 
MAISON FAYARD
Anne FOGERTY and Camille GAIO
Guillaume BOUDET, HYDE DE VILLAINE  

Take home six bottles of Tajj 2022, a limited-production reserve Merlot lovingly crafted by Jihane and Simon for their children — Talia, Jude, and Justin.

Named for them, Tajj is a 100% Merlot (mono-cépage) produced in the Pauillac style. Aged for 18 months in French oak, then transferred to new French oak barrels for a further 6 months, this wine shows depth, structure, and refined elegance.

Annual production is limited to 3,600 bottles, with the majority retained for the proprietors’ personal cellar, friends, and family. As such, this lot represents a rare opportunity to acquire a private reserve bottling of exceptional quality and limited availability.

Donors:
Jihane KHAWAM & Simon KHALAF
NAPA VALLEY FAMILY ESTATE