{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/62301a5c63c97500122f8a76/6aab73e1315471999b80e886?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Living with purpose w/ Hayes & Susana Drumwright, Vida Valiente","description":"<p>With the goal of living a purposeful life, <a href=\"https://vidavalientewinery.com/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Vida Valiente</a> was founded in Napa as a combination luxury winery and charity.&nbsp; The foundation is focused on providing last dollar scholarships and mentorship to 1st generation college students.&nbsp; The winery is establishing a newly planted vineyard as the next “grand cru” site in Napa.&nbsp; Hayes and Susana Drumwright combine these two elements into a pathway to connect people who have succeeded with grit to the next generation through wine and impactful experiences.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>Detailed Show Notes:&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>Susana’s background: career in tech, now full-time with the foundation and winery</p><p>Hayes’ background: had cancer early, many early failures, then sold a tech company and founded Memento Mori Winery in 2010, Vida Valiente in 2019, and just bought Edge Hill Winery in 2026; just published <a href=\"https://www.amazon.com/Empty-Center-Permission-Connection-Uncertain/dp/B0H9PHNXQ4/ref=sr_1_1?adgrpid=183755570062&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.lvPCdF-X7DP-x15DaquAOeX0hG1_9yr81mmqi8IFX7SLtVM1Kll1RFoHWNI_xfPx67y8d1tf4p9feuOH2zaXDkbCM-GVCYHkj3wT3sa913ODXeBnQ82fYC5WZ-JqWD2I4OYono2VaphKzKK2lP4YPnF2Eo7MVT7OntA5KzkJHBWK2Ir1w-3raVf4D2xnVWoe.-h04pQIYg2BoFxcEHKTrQ1VCbdTFdKkD1Whv0e_pLoM&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;hvadid=779707109459&amp;hvdev=c&amp;hvexpln=0&amp;hvlocphy=9031961&amp;hvnetw=g&amp;hvocijid=1392007911227600968--&amp;hvqmt=e&amp;hvrand=1392007911227600968&amp;hvtargid=kwd-2687407799672&amp;hydadcr=22561_13531225_8196&amp;keywords=the+empty+center+book&amp;mcid=431ea1f38e243c6bafc4ab97f0d0f571&amp;qid=1789621008&amp;sr=8-1\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><em>The Empty Center</em></a></p><p><br></p><p>Vida Valiente (“VV”) overview</p><ul><li>Planted vines to create a “grand cru” wine vs Memento Mori leveraged existing “grand cru” sites</li><li>Has had 5 100 point wines in the last 3 years</li><li>Produced ~3,000 cases in 2025, goal is ~4,500 cases</li><li>Donates $100/btl of every bottle of “The Movement,” the signature blend sold</li><li>Has a guaranteed allocation group “Los Padrinos” (“the godparents”)</li></ul><p>Foundation founded to uplift 1st generation college students at Stanford</p><ul><li>Board member, Memento Mori founder, and friend Adriel Lares went to Stanford</li><li>191 students in the program now, admit 50 students/year of ~100 applicants</li><li>Give each student $5k/year for last dollar scholarships, provide mentorship, and leadership offsites</li><li>Has raised ~$6.5M to date, ~$500k from “The Movement” (goal is $100k/year); goal is $3-4M/year</li><li>Wants to raise ~$2M/year from corporate donors</li><li>Costs ~$1.2M/year to run, could be $2.5M if all applicants accepted</li><li>Many VV customers have done great things and feel alignment with students</li><li>Susana and Hayes are foundation’s only employees</li></ul><p>Napa in Cabo charity event, held by Vida Valiente</p><ul><li>3 days at the Montage in Los Cabos</li><li>Features 10 Napa wineries, e.g. - Scarecrow, Lokoya, Eisele</li><li>Raised $6M, $2.3M in 2025</li><li>1st night meet &amp; greet, 2nd night charity gala, 3rd night to support other wineries (sold $760k of wine for other wineries)</li><li>Exploring a “Napa in Napa” event</li></ul><p>VV marketing</p><ul><li>Not as much crossover from Memento Mori as originally thought</li><li>Napa Valley referrals important</li><li>Hospitality a big driver, including client dinners and impactful experiences</li></ul><p>Arc of 3 Napa projects</p><ul><li>Memento Mori - “remember to live”</li><li>Vida Valiente - “live a purposeful life”</li><li>Ultra Mortem (at Edge Hill site) - “beyond death, do something worth remembering”</li></ul><p><br></p>","author_name":"Robert Vernick, Peter Yeung"}