Join the Cornerstone Society:
Be a Catalyst for Napa’s Future
The Cornerstone Society is the Land Trust’s principal giving circle, uniting visionary individuals and organizations who contribute $10,000 or more annually. These philanthropic leaders are the foundation of our mission to preserve the character of Napa County by permanently protecting its land, ensuring clean water, thriving ecosystems, and vital wildlife habitats for generations to come.
Why Your Support Matters
As a Cornerstone Society member, your generosity fuels our most ambitious conservation efforts, from securing critical wildlife corridors to restoring native ecosystems. Your commitment creates a lasting legacy of preserved open spaces and sustainable landscapes benefiting the Napa community.
Exclusive Member Benefits
Cornerstone Society members are celebrated through:
- Invitations to exclusive events, including our Annual Cornerstone Celebration, where you’ll connect with fellow conservation champions.
- Special updates on key projects and achievements, offering a behind-the-scenes look at our impactful work.
- Recognition as a cornerstone of our conservation success.
How to Join or Learn More
To explore membership or for further details, please contact:
- Doug Parker, CEO
- Kimberly Howard, Philanthropy Operations Director
Together, we can ensure Napa County’s lands are protected and cherished forever.
Expand a year below to relive the highlights of our Annual Cornerstone Celebrations.
Celebrating Conservation: A Night with Our Cornerstone Society
On September 14th, Land Trust Cornerstone Society members gathered for an unforgettable evening at Hess Persson Estates Winery on Mount Veeder, celebrating another year of remarkable conservation achievements and collective impact.
We are deeply grateful to our generous hosts, Tim and Sabrina Persson, whose unwavering commitment to sustainability is reflected throughout their estate. Their vineyards and winery facilities are proudly certified sustainable by the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance, exemplifying the kind of stewardship we honor and uplift.
During the evening, we shared an exciting update: the permanent protection of thousands of additional acres since last year’s gathering. With the ongoing support of our Cornerstone Society members, the Land Trust has now protected over 90,000 acres of Napa Valley’s breathtaking landscapes. These protected lands preserve vital wildlife corridors, safeguard watersheds, and ensure the resilience of forests and open spaces for generations to come.
To our 2024 Cornerstone Society members—thank you. Your generosity powers our mission and fuels transformative land conservation in Napa County. Your impact will be felt long into the future by both people and nature.
We extend heartfelt appreciation to Tim and Sabrina Persson for their warm hospitality and for modeling the values we hold dear. CEO Doug Parker, the Board of Trustees, and the Land Trust staff join in expressing sincere gratitude to all who share in our vision of a protected, thriving Napa Valley.
Together, we are safeguarding Napa’s natural legacy—forever.
Celebrating Conservation: A Night with Our Cornerstone Society
On October 13th, Land Trust Cornerstone Society members gathered at Castello di Amorosa for a festive evening celebrating another successful year in land conservation. The event was generously hosted by Dario and Irina Sattui at their authentically styled 14th-century Tuscan castle and winery, set in the hills of Napa Valley.
During the dinner, we proudly announced the protection of more than 4,000 additional acres since last year’s celebration. Since the Cornerstone Society was formed just nine years ago, members have helped make possible the permanent protection of over 40,000 acres across Napa County—an extraordinary legacy of impact.
Our host, Dario Sattui, is a lifelong steward of the land. To date, he has placed 600 acres into conservation easements with the Land Trust, ensuring these lands will remain free of development and protected forever. The winery’s vineyards are certified organic, and the estate holds Napa Green certification, reflecting a deep and ongoing commitment to sustainable practices.
The Land Trust extends its sincere thanks to the members of the 2023 Cornerstone Society. Your generous support is instrumental in preserving Napa’s incredible biodiversity, wildlife corridors, watersheds, forests, and rare natural resources for generations to come.
We are especially grateful to Dario and Irina Sattui for their warm hospitality and vision. CEO Doug Parker, the Board of Trustees, and Land Trust staff express their heartfelt appreciation to the far-sighted families, individuals, and organizations who continue to make long-term conservation in Napa possible.
Together, we are protecting the land that defines and sustains Napa Valley—forever.
Cornerstone Society Gathers to Celebrate Conservation Progress in St. Helena
On September 24th, members of the Land Trust’s Cornerstone Society came together at Alpha Omega Winery for an elegant evening honoring a shared commitment to land conservation in Napa Valley. Hosted by Robin and Michelle Baggett at their scenic winery in St. Helena, the event marked a joyful close to another year of tangible conservation progress.
As guests gathered among the vineyards, we shared the news that more than 3,000 additional acres had been permanently protected since our last celebration. It was also a moment to reflect on the broader impact of the Cornerstone Society’s support: since its founding eight years ago, this dedicated group has helped the Land Trust conserve over 35,000 acres across Napa County—forever safeguarding a mosaic of open space, habitat, and working lands.
Robin and Michelle have long demonstrated their deep care for Napa’s landscapes. Together, they placed over 4,400 acres into conservation easements with the Land Trust, ensuring that the land will remain undeveloped and ecologically intact in perpetuity. Their winery, Alpha Omega, embodies these values—family-owned, boutique in scale, and both vineyard and winery certified through Napa Green, a rigorous program that integrates sustainable practices from soil health to water use.
To the members of our 2022 Cornerstone Society, we offer our sincere thanks. Your generosity and vision fuel lasting conservation—from the valley floor to the forested ridgelines—and make it possible to protect the places that define Napa.
We extend our warmest gratitude to Robin and Michelle for welcoming us so graciously. On behalf of CEO Doug Parker, the Board of Trustees, and the Land Trust team, thank you to every supporter helping us ensure that Napa’s natural legacy endures for generations to come.
Gathering Again: A Special Evening at Far Niente
The Land Trust’s Cornerstone Society gathered for a beautiful evening at Far Niente Winery, where members reconnected and reflected on the power of conservation in action. The event marked a return to in-person celebration, following a virtual gathering the previous year—both generously hosted by Beth Nickel.
It was a joy to be together again, raising a glass to the Land Trust’s accomplishments over its 45-year history and the continued protection of the landscapes that make Napa County so extraordinary.
Beth has long been a friend and supporter of the Land Trust, and her warm hospitality created a meaningful setting to celebrate all that’s been achieved—and all that still lies ahead.
We are deeply grateful to the members of the 2021 Cornerstone Society for their flexibility, generosity, and steadfast commitment to protecting Napa’s agricultural lands, biodiversity, scenic beauty, and natural heritage for future generations.
With heartfelt thanks to Beth for hosting us two years in a row, CEO Doug Parker, the Board of Trustees, and the Land Trust staff extend their appreciation to everyone who continues to stand with us in the effort to preserve what matters most.
Together, we are protecting the places that define Napa—and ensuring they endure.
Raising a Glass from Afar: A Virtual Gathering with the Cornerstone Society
In 2020, the Land Trust’s Cornerstone Society adapted to an extraordinary year by coming together virtually for its annual celebration. Originally planned as an in-person event at Far Niente Winery, the gathering shifted online in response to the pandemic—and our members graciously embraced the change.
Hosted by Beth Nickel, the virtual event brought warmth and connection across screens. Guests enjoyed a curated tasting of Far Niente and Nickel & Nickel wines paired with artisan cheeses, followed by a special presentation from CEO Doug Parker and a spirited round of Land Trust Bingo—a lively twist that made the evening both memorable and meaningful.
Beth’s generosity helped transform what could have been a missed moment into a joyful one. Her commitment to the Land Trust and to building community, even from a distance, set the tone for a celebration grounded in gratitude and resilience.
We extend our sincere thanks to the members of the 2020 Cornerstone Society for their flexibility, enthusiasm, and continued belief in the importance of our mission. Your support during uncertain times ensured that conservation work carried on—and that Napa’s natural treasures remained protected.
CEO Doug Parker, the Board of Trustees, and the Land Trust staff are deeply grateful to all who helped make this virtual gathering a success and who stand with us in preserving the land we love.
An Evening of Gratitude at The Napa Valley Reserve
In 2019, members of the Land Trust’s Cornerstone Society gathered for a celebratory evening at The Napa Valley Reserve, surrounded by sweeping vineyard views and the tranquil beauty of the Vaca Mountains. The event was graciously hosted by Paul Asmuth, General Manager of The Reserve and a Land Trust board member, along with his wife Marilyn.
Guests dined outdoors on the patio, immersed in the landscape that reflects the very essence of Napa Valley’s agricultural heritage. The Reserve, a carefully tended 80-acre property, is CCOF certified and fully organic—its gardens and vineyards offering a living example of sustainable stewardship.
It was a special evening filled with connection, gratitude, and shared purpose. The Land Trust is deeply thankful to the Cornerstone Society members whose support makes lasting conservation possible—from preserving productive farmland to protecting vital habitat and scenic vistas.
Our heartfelt thanks go to Paul and Marilyn Asmuth and The Napa Valley Reserve for their generous hospitality. CEO Doug Parker, the Board of Trustees, and the Land Trust staff join in expressing appreciation to all who continue to invest in a future where Napa’s natural legacy is protected for generations to come.
Dining Beneath the Redwoods: A Memorable Evening at Turley Wine Cellars
In 2018, members of the Land Trust’s Cornerstone Society were welcomed to a truly exceptional gathering under the towering redwoods at Turley Wine Cellars. Hosted by longtime conservation champions Larry Turley and Suzanne Chambers Turley, the evening began with a champagne reception and continued with an intimate dinner in the grove, paired with wines from the Turley estate.
Set on their private property, the event offered a unique opportunity to celebrate land preservation in a place that reflects deep personal and environmental values. Larry, Suzanne, and Turley Wine Cellars have demonstrated their enduring commitment to conservation through the donation of three easements—permanently protecting nearly 60 acres in Napa County and an additional 150 acres in Paso Robles.
The Land Trust extends heartfelt thanks to the members of the 2018 Cornerstone Society for their generous and ongoing support. Your dedication sustains our mission to safeguard Napa’s agricultural landscapes, natural habitats, and scenic vistas for generations to come.
We are especially grateful to Larry and Suzanne for sharing their home and their passion with the Cornerstone Society. CEO Doug Parker, the Board of Trustees, and the Land Trust staff join in expressing sincere appreciation to all those who help ensure that the Napa Valley we know and love remains protected for the long term.
A Celebratory Evening at Rudd Oakville Estate
In 2017, the Land Trust’s Cornerstone Society gathered at the scenic Rudd Oakville Estate for an unforgettable evening surrounded by vineyard views and the quiet elegance of nature. Hosted by the Rudd family, the evening began with a cocktail reception in the organic gardens, followed by an alfresco dinner beside the estate’s tranquil pond.
Leslie and Susan Rudd, along with their daughter Samantha, have long exemplified a deep commitment to land stewardship. Through the donation of a conservation easement to the Land Trust, the family permanently protected 54 acres within Napa’s Agricultural Preserve. Their care for the land, both as vintners and as conservationists, continues to shape the legacy of this exceptional Oakville property.
The Land Trust is grateful to the members of the 2017 Cornerstone Society for their generosity and shared vision. Their support plays a vital role in preserving the agricultural character, biodiversity, and natural beauty that define Napa County.
We extend our sincere thanks to the Rudd family and Samantha Rudd for their gracious hospitality. CEO Doug Parker, the Board of Trustees, and Land Trust staff join in honoring all who contribute to protecting Napa Valley’s landscapes for generations to come.
Celebrating Conservation at Circle R Ranch
In 2016, the Land Trust’s Cornerstone Society gathered at the breathtaking Circle R Ranch for a celebratory evening filled with connection, gratitude, and scenic beauty. The event was generously hosted by Peter Read in his historic barn, where guests enjoyed sweeping views of nearby lands permanently protected through the Land Trust’s conservation efforts.
Surrounded by rolling hills and the timeless charm of the ranch, the evening served as a meaningful reminder of what enduring land protection makes possible. Circle R stands as both a legacy landscape and a symbol of stewardship—a perfect setting to honor a shared commitment to preserving Napa’s most cherished places.
The Land Trust extends sincere thanks to the members of the 2016 Cornerstone Society. Your continued support has made it possible to protect the biodiversity, working lands, and natural beauty that define Napa County.
We are deeply grateful to Peter Read for his warm hospitality and for creating such a memorable experience. CEO Doug Parker, the Board of Trustees, and Land Trust staff join in thanking the many generous individuals and families who help ensure that Napa’s landscapes are preserved now and for generations to come.
Honoring Conservation at the Beckstoffer Residence
In 2015, members of the Land Trust’s Cornerstone Society gathered for a celebratory dinner hosted by Andy and Betty Beckstoffer at their elegant residence in St. Helena. Set against a backdrop of vineyard views and late-summer light, the evening was a heartfelt tribute to the impact that committed supporters can make on the future of Napa Valley.
The Beckstoffers, well known for their leadership in both agriculture and land stewardship, welcomed guests with warmth and generosity. Their residence provided a beautiful and personal setting for conversation, connection, and reflection on the Land Trust’s work and shared vision.
As we celebrated the year’s progress, the gathering served as a reminder that enduring land conservation is not only about protecting places—it’s about people who care deeply for Napa’s legacy. The Land Trust’s ability to permanently preserve working lands, wildlife habitat, and iconic vistas is only possible through the generosity of community members who believe in a thriving and protected future.
We extend our sincere thanks to the members of the 2015 Cornerstone Society for their steadfast support and belief in our mission. Your dedication helps preserve the character and ecological integrity of Napa County for generations to come.
Special thanks to Andy and Betty Beckstoffer for graciously opening their home and sharing in this meaningful celebration. CEO Doug Parker, the Board of Trustees, and the Land Trust staff join in recognizing all those who continue to make land conservation possible through their vision and support.
A Legacy Begins: Inaugural Cornerstone Society Gathering at Vine Hill Ranch
In 2014, the Land Trust of Napa County launched the Cornerstone Society—an inspired new community of donors dedicated to sustaining permanent land conservation throughout Napa Valley. That fall, the Society’s inaugural members gathered for a special evening at Vine Hill Ranch in Oakville, generously hosted by the Phillips Family.
The setting—a working vineyard framed by golden hills and oak woodlands—was a fitting backdrop for the founding of a group committed to protecting the lands that define Napa’s beauty, character, and ecological vitality. The event marked the beginning of what has become a cornerstone of support for the Land Trust’s mission.
The 25 founding members of the Cornerstone Society, including both individuals and corporate partners, pledged gifts of $10,000 or more annually. Their generosity established a strong foundation for the Land Trust’s work to protect agricultural, biodiverse, scenic, and viewshed lands in perpetuity.
We offer our sincere thanks to these visionary supporters who recognized the importance of long-term investment in conservation. Their leadership helped shape what the Cornerstone Society would become: a committed group of conservation-minded individuals working together to safeguard Napa’s natural heritage for future generations.
Special thanks to the Phillips Family for graciously hosting this inaugural gathering. CEO Doug Parker, the Board of Trustees, and the Land Trust staff extend their deep gratitude to these forward-thinking families and organizations for helping launch a lasting legacy of land protection in Napa County.
