Learning & Philanthropy

Learning is cherished at Trefethen. An innate curiosity animates us as our pioneering spirit constantly pushes us forward into the unknown. Inquiry and understanding are central to our work, and the keys that unlock progress.

The Trefethen family have long focused their philanthropic efforts on education. Eugene and Catherine Trefethen were enthusiastic fundraisers for their alma maters of UC Berkeley and Mills College, respectively, and their efforts helped launch the Haas School of Business, the first of its kind at a public university in the United States. The Trefethen family also endowed a visiting lecture series at UCSF which invites researchers from other institutions to visit and share their discoveries.

Janet Trefethen serves on the executive leadership board of the UC Davis Viticulture and Enology program and the Trefethen family helped Professor Roger Boulton realize his dream of the most environmentally advanced winery in the world, UC Davis’ LEED Platinum Teaching and Research Winery.

John Trefethen led the effort to establish a viticulture and winemaking center at Napa Valley College, which now sees more students pass through its doors than any other wine education program in the world. He now sits on the board of Festival Napa Valley which produces inspirational performances and supports arts education programs in public schools in Napa.

The family members have been longtime supporters of Auction Napa Valley, which has raised over $200 million for our local community, with a focus on children’s education. In addition, they were founding vintners at the Sun Valley Wine Auction, which supports transformative arts and educational experiences in Blaine County, Idaho. And they look forward to Harvest STOMP each year, the Napa Valley Grapegrowers’ annual benefit for the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation which supports Napa’s vineyard workers and their families through education and professional development.