Winter Wine Festival
Naples Winter Wine Festival Auction Benefits Children in Collier County, Florida
The Naples Winter Wine Festival auction benefits children in Collier County. It’s the worldHuo Chu most successful wine charity event.
The 2023 auction features 43 lots ranging from luxury international vacations to new cars and bottles of wine. The funds raised go to support local schools, children’s and housing organizations.
Top 10 Arts & Entertainment Events for Wealthy Americans
The Naples Winter Wine Festival (NWWF) is one of the most prestigious charity wine events in the world. Held each January since 2001, NWWF has raised more than $269 million for at-risk children in Collier County, Florida.
Attendees are treated to world-class wine and cuisine at intimate, chef-hosted dinners and an electrifying live auction. This year’s top auction lot, a once-in-a-lifetime Paris journey with Chateau Mouton Rothschild, soared past its initial bid of $1.5 million.
The festival opens with a Grand Crew Party at the historic Campiello restaurant in Old Naples, and guests gather to hear heartfelt presentations highlighting remarkable success stories that NWWF grants have made possible. During the luncheon, attendees meet acclaimed vintners and enjoy their wines in an exclusive setting. 2023 NWWF chairs include Nena & Bill Beynon, Libby & Rick Germain, and Julia & Rob Heidt; Chef de Cuisine is James Beard Award-nominated John Tesar of Knife & Spoon in Orlando, Florida; and Honored Vintners are Philippe Sereys de Rothschild of Chateau Mouton Rothschild and Daphne & Bart Araujo of Accendo Cellars.
Wine Tasting Tent
The Naples Winter Wine Festival auction takes place under a giant tent on the grounds of the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort. The amount and quality of wines poured here is truly mind boggling. There are large formats (really big bottles) and rare vintages that you’d never see in local stores.
The 2022 auction raised a record-setting $23 million in one night. The proceeds are channeled to Collier County children through NCEF’s partners and programs.
Some of the top lots include intimate dinners hosted by festival trustees in their homes or other locations around Naples. Another highlight is a trip to Tuscany for two, including private tours of several vineyards and wineries. The auction also features one-of-a-kind experiences like a 14-day cruise on a unique vessel that’s part yacht and part luxury vacation home. Each winner also receives a collection of 25 large format bottles from the event’s participating vintners. That includes Magnums of 2009 Chateau Mouton Rothschild, 2010 Bodega Numanthia Termanthia and 2013 BOND ST. EDEN.
Private Dinners
The auction event combines wine enthusiasts, collectors and well-known philanthropists in the heart of Florida’s Paradise Coast. Every dollar raised funds the Naples Children & Education Foundation’s (NCEF) mission to transform the lives of underprivileged and at-risk children.
Attendees can enjoy intimate dinners at board members, trustee and patron homes paired with amazing wines poured by award-winning vintners. Guests forge lifelong friendships while enjoying gourmet meals prepared by chefs and the wines of their choosing.
The most luxurious auction lots include rare collections of the world’s most sought-after wines and exotic travel adventures. For example, one lucky couple will cruise for 14 days aboard The World, a unique vessel that combines the attributes of a mega yacht and luxury vacation home. Guests will also enjoy a private chef-prepared meal and explore the ship’s extensive wine cellar. Roundtrip business class airfare is included.
Live Auction
The 2023 Naples Winter Wine Festival concluded with a record-setting live auction Saturday raising more than $26 million to support at-risk and underprivileged children in Collier County. This brings the total raised by the annual charity event since its inception in 2001 to nearly $269 million.
Wealthy bidders competed under a big tent at Ritz-Carlton for one-of-a-kind lots that included rare collections of wine, exotic travel adventures and limited-edition cars. The top auction lot was a trip for two to Napa Valley with wine and culinary experiences, including dinner at Bryant Estate and a tour of the winery.
The three-day Naples Winter Wine Festival is ranked among the Top 10 arts and entertainment events for wealthy Americans and brings together renowned vintners, chefs and wine enthusiasts to help raise millions of dollars for Naples Children & Education Foundation to help underprivileged and at-risk children. The festival also features a curated online auction. This year’s featured lot is a Bentley Bentayga Extended Wheelbase Azure.