Celebrated Vintners and Chefs Unite for Record-Breaking Night.
Food and wine lovers gathered at Bricoleur Vineyards in Sonoma County August 16th to celebrate the 15th anniversary of Project Zin. Founded by Clay and Carrie Mauritson, alongside Chef Charlie Palmer, the annual event features an extraordinary collection of top vintners and Michelin-starred chefs all in support of Down Syndrome Connection of the Bay Area (DSCBA).
Raising over $500,000 in one evening, the 2025 auction cements Project Zin’s position as one of Northern California’s most impactful charitable traditions with a total of over $3 million raised since its inception.
Rooted in Clay and Carrie Mauritson’s personal journey of navigating their son, Brady Mauritson’s Down Syndrome diagnosis, Project Zin has excited a community dedicated to supporting life-changing programs, services, and advocacy efforts that empower individuals with Down Syndrome and their families.
Partnering with James Beard award-winning Chef Charlie Palmer, the Mauritson’s transformed their initial challenge into a powerful force for change that has touched countless lives over 15 years.
“The one word that continues to resonate with us is potential,” said Clay and Carrie Mauritson. “Every year we are able to bring together a group of people that advocate for a community that haven’t been given the chances they deserve. With Project Zin, we’ve created educational opportunities, awareness, and acceptance within the Down Syndrome Community.”
Chef Charlie Palmer, who has been Mauritson’s partner since the event’s inception, expressed his continued commitment. “Clay and Carrie’s dedication to their son, his peers, and this cause represents everything I believe in about hospitality and human connection. Working with the Mauritson family and supporting DSCBA has been one of the most rewarding partnerships of my career.”
The live auction, conducted by NBA Hypeman Franco Finn of the Golden State Warriors, generated nearly $350,000 through an impressive lineup of exclusive experiences, including a standout moment when Elizabeth Montana spontaneously offered two tickets to an exclusive Super Bowl party with her father, NFL legend Joe Montana, complete with a signed jersey and an assortment of Mauritson wines, sparking an intense bidding.
Upon selling for $40,000, Elizabeth spontaneously tripled the donation, ultimately providing six tickets which raised a total of $120,000. Additional highlights included a one-of-a-kind multi-destination “Passport to Appellation” experience across Charlie Palmer’s hotel properties, an intimate dinner with Julian Van Winkle featuring rare Pappy Van Winkle bourbon from his personal cellar, a Jimmy V Week experience in New York City complete with a court experience at Madison Square Garden, a European/Mekong River cruise with business class airfare and an array of behind-the-scenes vintner experiences and rare bottles from all participating producers.
The evening ended on a paddle raise generating an additional $125,000+ in direct donations and a silent auction total of $65,000 demonstrating the deep commitment to supporting individuals with Down Syndrome and their families.
Project Zin 2025 showcased wines from 21 distinguished Zinfandel producers, symbolizing Trisomy 21, the medical term for Down syndrome, 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 featured a collection of Sonoma County’s finest restaurants, including SingleThread Farms, Chef Palmer’s Dry Creek Kitchen, Acorn Cafe, Appellation Healdsburg, Bird & the Bottle, Catelli’s, Diavola Pizzeria, John Ash & Co., Montage Healdsburg, Soco Cheese Boards, Sweet T’s Restaurant + Bar, Taylor Lane Organic Coffee, The Parish Café, and The Matheson.
Brady Mauritson, now 17 and a passionate advocate for inclusion, has become a living example of the unlimited potential of Project Zin. “Together, we’re proving that everyone has something special to offer,” he says, through excitement as he speaks about scouting colleges.
