About Us
The Birth of a Classic
It all started with a casual conversation at a restaurant in 1991, when Bob and Eleanor Stanton came up with the idea of hosting a party to raise money for charity.
After a chance encounter with a wine auction in the northeast, the Chesapeake Bay Wine Classic Foundation was born. It has since raised $16 million for organizations supporting the education of youth in South Hampton Roads.
Our Vision
With a serious commitment to the education of young people, the Chesapeake Bay Wine Classic Foundation (CBWCF) strives to support the futures of students in South Hampton Roads. By organizing events that appeal to wine enthusiasts and philanthropists alike, the CBWCF has raised millions of dollars for organizations such as the Access College Foundation.
Since its inception in 1991, the Foundation has distributed $14 million towards the cause of empowering young people to pursue meaningful careers and fulfilling lives. With continued dedication and support from its community of board members, sponsors, donors, and volunteers, the CBWCF aims to make a lasting impact on the lives of the youth in the region.
Fundraising Events
Staying true to our belief that education is key to a prosperous future, the Chesapeake Bay Wine Classic Foundation hosts wine events that not only offer a chance to enjoy exquisite wines but also provides several opportunities to support the education of our youth.
Join us in our mission to help thousands pursue meaningful careers and fulfilling lives while indulging in fine wine and giving back to the community.
Foundation Board
The Foundation Board oversees the Chesapeake Bay Wine Classic Foundation’s mission and strategy, ensuring effective fundraising and distribution of charitable funds.
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- Robert M. Stanton, Founder
- Taylor Franklin, Chairman and President
- Dave Jester, Vice President
- Lisa Eure, Vice President
- Rodney Duckworth, Vice President
- Bob Dardenne, Treasurer
- Jennie Capps, Secretary
Directors
- Steve Burke
- Crystal Cameron-Schaad
- Linda Church
- Kevin DiBona
- Dennis Ellmer
- David Hadder
- Jeff McWaters
- Laura Morrison
- Mark Nelson
- Tom Rich
- Cynthia Rickman
- Dag Zapatero
- Jennie Capps, Executive Director
Board of Governors
The Board of Governors collaborates to plan and execute successful events, manage funds, and make impactful charitable contributions to South Hampton Roads’ youth education programs.
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- Stephen W. Burke
- Crystal Cameron-Schaad
- William Campbell*
- Mary Anne Kellam-Canada*
- Jennie Capps
- Linda Church
- Shana Cole
- Robert Dardenne
- Kevin DiBona
- Stephanie Douglas*
- Rodney Duckworth
- Patrick Duffeler*
- Amanda Einhorn
- Dennis M. Ellmer
- Lisa Eure
- Taylor Franklin
- Bill Gambrell
- Stephan Gordon*
- Joni Greene
- David Hadder
- Finn Host
- Tim Houck
- Bob Howard
- David Jester
- Tom Johnston
- Todd Jurich
- Caitlin Liebler
- Tony Nero
- Mark Nelson
- Cindy McGann*
- Connie McKenzie
- Jeffrey L. McWaters
- John Melley
- Matthew Meyer
- Norman Miller, MD*
- Alex Mitchum
- Laura Morrison
- Edward Oldfield, III, MD*
- Gordon E. Parker, Jr.
- Russell Proctor*
- Gray Randolph*
- Cynthia Rickman
- Ben Rountree
- Virginia Rountree
- Will Russell
- Tom Rich, MD
- Gene Ross
- Eleanor Stanton
- Robert M. Stanton
- Robert L. Stein*
- Joe Takach
- Elsa Tiritilli
- Ross Vierra
- Robert H. Wells
- Terry Profilet Yates
- Dag Zapatero
- Greg Zimpel
Learn More
- Robert M. Stanton, Founder
- Taylor Franklin, Chairman and President
- Dave Jester, Vice President
- Lisa Eure, Vice President
- Rodney Duckworth, Vice President
- Dag Zapatero, Vice President
- Mark Nelson, Treasurer
- Jennie Capps, Secretary
Directors
- Steve Burke
- Crystal Cameron-Schaad
- Linda Church
- Kevin DiBona
- Dennis Ellmer
- David Hadder
- Alex Mitchum
- Laura Morrison
- Tom Rich
- Cynthia Rickman
- Jennie Capps, Executive Director
- Elizabeth Chapman, Legal Councel
Learn More
- Stephen W. Burke
- Crystal Cameron-Schaad
- William Campbell*
- Mary Anne Kellam-Canada*
- Jennie Capps
- Linda Church
- Shana Cole
- Alex Dale
- Robert Dardenne*
- Kevin DiBona
- Stephanie Douglas*
- Rodney Duckworth
- Patrick Duffeler*
- Amanda Einhorn
- Dennis M. Ellmer
- Lisa Eure
- Taylor Franklin
- Bill Gambrell
- Stephan Gordon*
- David Hadder
- Lindsey Haught
- Finn Host
- Tim Houck
- Bob Howard
- David Jester
- Tom Johnston
- Todd Jurich
- Caitlin Liebler
- Tony Nero
- Mark Nelson
- Cindy McGann*
- Connie McKenzie
- Jeffrey L. McWaters
- John Melley
- Matthew Meyer
- Norman Miller, MD*
- Alex Mitchum
- Laura Morrison
- Edward Oldfield, III, MD*
- Gordon E. Parker, Jr.
- Russell Proctor*
- Gray Randolph*
- Cynthia Rickman
- Ben Rountree
- Virginia Rountree
- Dare Ruffin
- Will Russell
- Tom Rich, MD
- Gene Ross
- Eleanor Stanton
- Robert M. Stanton
- Robert L. Stein*
- Joe Takach
- Elsa Tiritilli
- Ross Vierra
- Robert H. Wells
- Terry Profilet Yates
- Dag Zapatero
- Greg Zimpel
Charitable Giving
Charitable Giving is the cornerstone of CBWCF’s mission, enabling thousands of underprivileged students to pursue higher education, meaningful careers, and fulfilling lives.
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First organized in 1991, the Chesapeake Bay Wine Classic Foundation has donated more than $14 million for designated charities, especially those that support educational programs benefiting young people in Hampton Roads.
The Foundation’s primary beneficiary is the Access College Foundation, which helps students attain higher education through counseling, assisting with SAT preparation and securing or providing scholarships.
Many other charitable endeavors are supported through grants from the Chesapeake Bay Wine Classic Foundation, including the Eastern Virginia Medical School’s breast cancer research, which receives all distributable funds from our Wine Women Fishing event.
Access College Foundation
Founded in 1988 by Frank Batten and Joshua P. Darden, Jr., the Access College Foundation helps high school students in South Hampton Roads and Northampton County fulfill their dreams of going to college. Access Advisors work in each of the region’s public high schools to inspire the hope in low-income, underrepresented students that a college education is attainable, support them in achieving the requirements for college acceptance, guide them through the college application process, assist them in gaining the funds to attend college, and provide advising and scholarship support while enrolled in college to ensure that they remain in school and complete their degree programs.
The Access College Foundation is committed to the betterment of our students and to providing them with the tools necessary to be successful in their educational endeavors.
The Access Early College Awareness Program gives 7th and 8th graders a head start in understanding the necessary steps involved in attaining a post-secondary degree/certificate by providing workshops and advising sessions on topics that include but are not limited to future goals, career choices, educational opportunities after high school, financial aid literacy, and how to connect education to career.
The Access High School Program increases the number of students who enroll in post-secondary institutions by providing on-site Advisors in each of the 30 South Hampton Roads and Northampton County public high schools to help guide students through the complicated college application/admission and financial aid processes.
The Access College Success Program extends the Access program’s advisory services to Access Scholars attending the colleges/universities where there are the most concentrated number of Access students, including: Christopher Newport University, George Mason University, Hampton University, Longwood University, Norfolk State University, Old Dominion University, Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia State University, Virginia Wesleyan College, and the four campuses of Tidewater Community College.
Since its inception, Access has assisted 59,000 students and their families in taking college entrance examinations, submitting applications for admission, applying for financial aid and scholarship opportunities, and enrolling in college. In the process, $565 million in financial aid and scholarships from federal, state, college and private sources has been amassed for these students and $9 million has been distributed to students through Access “Last-Dollar” Scholarships. These scholarships are awarded to help bridge the gap between the amount of financial aid received and the actual cost of attending college.
For every dollar spent on advisory services, Access leverages $20 in financial aid and scholarships for our students.
For more information about the Access College Foundation, please call (757) 962-6113 or visit www.accesscollege.org.
All Beneficiaries
All beneficiaries of CBWCF’s efforts, particularly the Access College Foundation, benefit from the foundation’s fundraising efforts, which have raised and distributed millions of dollars to support youth education in South Hampton Roads.
Learn More
- ACCESS College Foundation
- An Achievable Dream Academy
- Brock Environmental Center
- Cancer Care Connection
- Careers through Culinary Arts Program
- Charles Barker Champions for Children
- Chesapeake Bay Academy
- Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters
- Chrysler Museum of Art
- Combat Wounded Coalition
- Community Foundation Sonoma County
- Eastern Shore Chapel Food Bank
- Eastern Virginia Medical School
- Eliza Hope Foundation
- Equi-Kids
- Families of Autistic Children of Tidewater
- Fear 2 Freedom
- Feast it Forward
- Friends of First Landing State Park
- Grace Family Foundation
- Great Bridge Battlefield Historical Society
- Jamison Animal Rescue Ranch
- Judeo Christian Outreach Center
- Land Trust of Napa Valley
- Lee’s Friends
- Les Dames d’Escoffier
- Lynchburg College Men’s Lacrosse
- Lynnhaven River NOW
- Miguel & Carolina Hernandez Memorial Endowment
- Napa Valley Community Foundation
- Napa Valley Vine Trail Coalition
- Napa Land Trust
- Norfolk Collegiate
- Norfolk Friends of Foster Care
- Horizons Hampton Roads
- Indigo
- Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation
- Saint Francis Service Dogs
- Samaritan House
- Seton Youth Shelters
- The Crop Foundation
- Together We Can Foundation
- Norfolk Academy
- Norfolk Collegiate School
- Muscarelle Museum of Art Foundation
- Tidewater Friends of Foster Care
- Hope for Life Rescue, Inc.
- Old Dominion University Scholarship Fund
- Princess Anne Garden Club
- Priority Charity Bowl
- Relay for Life
- Roanoke Island Historical Association
- Southern Foodways Alliance
- St. Mary’s Home for the Disabled
- St. Matthews School
- St. Francis Service Dogs
- Stop Abuse, Inc.
- Teacher 2 Teacher
- The Crop Foundation
- The Lost Colony
- Johnson & Wales University
- I Need A Lighthouse Foundation
- Hampton Roads Community Foundation
- Virginia MOCA
- Norfolk Public Schools—Strolling Silver Strings
- United Jewish Federation
- Grace Family Foundation
- Vanguard Landing
- Virginia Beach Bluewater Fishing Club
- Virginia Beach Court Appointed Special Advocates, Inc.
- Virginia Beach Neptune Festival
- Virginia Beach Public Schools
- Virginia Beach Rescue Squad
- Virginia Beach SPCA
- Virginia Gentlemen Foundation
- Virginia Maritime Heritage Foundation
- Virginia Military Institute
- Virginia Peninsula Foodbank
- Virginia Supportive Housing
- Williamsburg Hospice and Support Care
- World Central Kitchen
- YESCarolina
Learn More
First organized in 1991, the Chesapeake Bay Wine Classic Foundation has donated more than $12 million for designated charities, especially those that support educational programs benefiting young people in Hampton Roads.
The Foundation’s primary beneficiary is the Access College Foundation, which helps students attain higher education through counseling, assisting with SAT preparation and securing or providing scholarships.
Many other charitable endeavors are supported through grants from the Chesapeake Bay Wine Classic Foundation, including the Eastern Virginia Medical School’s breast cancer research, which receives all distributable funds from our Wine Women Fishing event.
Access College Foundation
Founded in 1988 by Frank Batten and Joshua P. Darden, Jr., the Access College Foundation helps high school students in South Hampton Roads and Northampton County fulfill their dreams of going to college. Access Advisors work in each of the region’s public high schools to inspire the hope in low-income, underrepresented students that a college education is attainable, support them in achieving the requirements for college acceptance, guide them through the college application process, assist them in gaining the funds to attend college, and provide advising and scholarship support while enrolled in college to ensure that they remain in school and complete their degree programs.
The Access College Foundation is committed to the betterment of our students and to providing them with the tools necessary to be successful in their educational endeavors.
The Access Early College Awareness Program gives 7th and 8th graders a head start in understanding the necessary steps involved in attaining a post-secondary degree/certificate by providing workshops and advising sessions on topics that include but are not limited to future goals, career choices, educational opportunities after high school, financial aid literacy, and how to connect education to career.
The Access High School Program increases the number of students who enroll in post-secondary institutions by providing on-site Advisors in each of the 30 South Hampton Roads and Northampton County public high schools to help guide students through the complicated college application/admission and financial aid processes.
The Access College Success Program extends the Access program’s advisory services to Access Scholars attending the colleges/universities where there are the most concentrated number of Access students, including: Christopher Newport University, George Mason University, Hampton University, Longwood University, Norfolk State University, Old Dominion University, Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia State University, Virginia Wesleyan College, and the four campuses of Tidewater Community College.
Since its inception, Access has assisted 59,000 students and their families in taking college entrance examinations, submitting applications for admission, applying for financial aid and scholarship opportunities, and enrolling in college. In the process, $565 million in financial aid and scholarships from federal, state, college and private sources has been amassed for these students and $9 million has been distributed to students through Access “Last-Dollar” Scholarships. These scholarships are awarded to help bridge the gap between the amount of financial aid received and the actual cost of attending college.
For every dollar spent on advisory services, Access leverages $20 in financial aid and scholarships for our students.
For more information about the Access College Foundation, please call (757) 962-6113 or visit www.accesscollege.org.
Learn More
- ACCESS College Foundation
- An Achievable Dream Academy
- Brock Environmental Center
- Cancer Care Connection
- Careers through Culinary Arts Program
- Charles Barker Champions for Children
- Chesapeake Bay Academy
- Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters
- Chrysler Museum of Art
- Combat Wounded Coalition
- Community Foundation Sonoma County
- Eastern Shore Chapel Food Bank
- Eastern Virginia Medical School
- Eliza Hope Foundation
- Equi-Kids
- Families of Autistic Children of Tidewater
- Fear 2 Freedom
- Feast it Forward
- Friends of First Landing State Park
- Grace Family Foundation
- Great Bridge Battlefield Historical Society
- Jamison Animal Rescue Ranch
- Judeo Christian Outreach Center
- Land Trust of Napa Valley
- Lee’s Friends
- Les Dames d’Escoffier
- Lynchburg College Men’s Lacrosse
- Lynnhaven River NOW
- Miguel & Carolina Hernandez Memorial Endowment
- Napa Valley Community Foundation
- Napa Valley Vine Trail Coalition
- Napa Land Trust
- Norfolk Collegiate
- Norfolk Friends of Foster Care
- Horizons Hampton Roads
- Indigo
- Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation
- Saint Francis Service Dogs
- Samaritan House
- Seton Youth Shelters
- The Crop Foundation
- Together We Can Foundation
- Norfolk Academy
- Norfolk Collegiate School
- Muscarelle Museum of Art Foundation
- Tidewater Friends of Foster Care
- Hope for Life Rescue, Inc.
- Old Dominion University Scholarship Fund
- Princess Anne Garden Club
- Priority Charity Bowl
- Relay for Life
- Roanoke Island Historical Association
- Southern Foodways Alliance
- St. Mary’s Home for the Disabled
- St. Matthews School
- St. Francis Service Dogs
- Stop Abuse, Inc.
- Teacher 2 Teacher
- The Crop Foundation
- The Lost Colony
- Johnson & Wales University
- I Need A Lighthouse Foundation
- Hampton Roads Community Foundation
- Virginia MOCA
- Norfolk Public Schools—Strolling Silver Strings
- United Jewish Federation
- Grace Family Foundation
- Vanguard Landing
- Virginia Beach Bluewater Fishing Club
- Virginia Beach Court Appointed Special Advocates, Inc.
- Virginia Beach Neptune Festival
- Virginia Beach Public Schools
- Virginia Beach Rescue Squad
- Virginia Beach SPCA
- Virginia Gentlemen Foundation
- Virginia Maritime Heritage Foundation
- Virginia Military Institute
- Virginia Peninsula Foodbank
- Virginia Supportive Housing
- Williamsburg Hospice and Support Care
- World Central Kitchen
- YESCarolina
- ANCHOR Scholarship Foundation
- Dental Foundation of North Carolina, Inc.
- Hospice House Hampton Roads; Judeo-Christian Outreach Center
- Navy Seal Foundation
- Norfolk SPCA
- River Ellis Foundation
- Vibe Creative District
- Third Option
- Elevate Early Education
- Green Run Collegiate
- Virginia Beach Billfish Foundation
- Horizons Hampton Roads