Raise a glass! The Southampton Hospital Foundation Summer Gala (Aug. 5) is back and better than ever. We sat down with event sponsors Sarah Wetenhall--President, CEO and Co-Owner of The Colony Palm Beach---and Joey Wölffer, Co-Owner and Chief Brand Officer of Wölffer Estate Vineyard, to get an exclusive sneak peek of the evening.
The Colony Hotel president, CEO and co-owner Sarah Wetenhall
Congratulations on the return of the Southampton Hospital Foundation Gala, which benefits Stony Brook Southampton Hospital (southampton.stonybrookmedicine.edu)! Can you tell us about your history with the foundation?
SW: My husband, Andrew, and I have been spending time in the Hamptons for over two decades, and he grew up coming to the East End as a child. Having reliable medical care for our family gives us such peace of mind, as does supporting an essential asset that the entire South Fork community depends on.
JW: In 2020, when COVID had such a significant impact on the hospital with the influx of patients, it was a critical time to step up and support in any way we could! That’s the first year Wölffer Estate (wolffer.com) became a title sponsor for the summer fundraiser, and we have remained in support ever since. Hosting in person for this year’s Summer Gala is very special, and we are pleased to continue to do our part!
How did you become a founding member of the new Vision Board, and what does that mean to you?
SW: Philanthropy and community engagement are important to our family and are a core tenet of The Colony Hotel (thecolonypalmbeach.com). As we looked at Hamptons philanthropic events and various East End engagement opportunities, the Southampton Hospital Foundation Gala stood out. As the foundation leadership and I spoke in more detail, I realized there was an essential long-term opportunity to make a lasting generational impact on the hospital and to help my summer community at large.
Wölffer Estate Vineyard co-owner and chief brand officer Joey Wölffer
JW: When I was asked to participate in the Vision Board, I was honored and wanted to do our part as members of this community to support and bring awareness to others.
What is the foundation’s primary goal or hope for the Hamptons community?
SW: In my view, the critical mission of the Vision Board is to engage a much wider cross-section of the East End community and to increase awareness of the hospital’s many resources. Stony Brook Southampton Hospital is an essential health resource for residents and visitors in all of the villages of the Hamptons.
JW: To see access to healthcare for the community of the East End, ensuring those who live here can get the proper care they need.
The Colony Hotel in Palm Beach
How do you relate to the cause, or what drives your passion?
SW: When my husband and I took over The Colony Hotel, it was a venerable institution, but many around us did not see its potential or transformative power. We guided the property into a new era that will serve the community for many more generations, and we are motivated to work with Southampton Hospital Foundation as they face similar transitions.
JW: I have lived here my whole life; the hospital provides care for not only myself but to my children and my whole family.
Why do you think the Southampton Hospital Foundation resonates so much with Hamptonites?
SW: It resonates because the hospital transcends all superficial cultural and socioeconomic barriers. Health is the great equalizer, and we are all humbled when tragedy or illness strikes. The Southampton Hospital Foundation is a rare organization in that every single member of the community benefits from its success—and the hospital’s many resources keep our community healthy and enjoying all the East End has to offer.
Summer in a Bottle ice buckets
JW: To see all the great work the hospital is doing, the foundation gives our community a way to get involved and give back.
Let’s dive into the gala! I know The Colony Hotel is a sponsor of this year’s event. What can guests expect from its takeover?
SW: Get ready to be immersed in the Pink Paradise! We are transporting much of the iconic furniture and even the famous beach buggy up from Palm Beach specifically for this event. Expect to lounge under scalloped umbrellas, take pictures in front of our famed de Gournay mural, and sip signature cocktails like the Spicy Socialite with small bites from famed eatery Swifty’s, a New York favorite now at The Colony Hotel.
Are there any other sponsors you would like to call out?
SW: We are so happy to partner with Wölffer Estate Vineyard. As female-led family businesses, we have much in common, and I have so much respect for Joey as a businesswoman, athlete and mother.
JW: We are pleased this year to see The Colony Hotel, a place I know and love, be a part of the Summer Gala! With their beautiful decor and our Summer in a Bottle rosé, it is sure to be a successful evening. Walk us through the evening.
Sunset at the Wölffer wine stand
What does the party look like? What is the pinnacle of the event?
SW: Guests will arrive at an immersive Colony Hotel cocktail experience brought to life in Southampton, complete with scalloped umbrellas and the seagrape beach buggy. Famed Manhattan and Palm Beach florist Lewis Miller will bring his whimsical touch to the florals and decor to create The Colony Hotel’s signature look, and Swifty’s Restaurant will create small bites and dinner comprised of bestloved Swifty’s dishes paired with Wölffer wines. Dancing to DJ Oli Benz will follow.
JW: Between the iconic Colony Hotel poolside vibes, paired with our rosé, it’s everyone’s summer dream evening!
Photography by: PHOTO: BY NICK MELE, COURTESY OF WÖLFFER ESTATE VINEYARD, COLONY HOTEL PHOTO BY LESLEY UNRUH,
