Annual, world-famous Naples Winter Wine Festival is this weekend: Here's what to know
The 24th annual, world-famous Naples Winter Wine Festival kicks off this weekend, raising funds that benefit local children’s charities.
And the event serves a significant purpose for Collier County because not one penny of the $1.4 billion collected from Collier County’s tax dollars goes to social services for anyone at any age.
Concurrently, Collier ranks second among Florida's 67 counties with the most significant wealth disparities among residents.
How much raised so far?
In 2023, Naples Children & Education Foundation (NCEF) ― the nonprofit that launched the Festival ― distributed a record-breaking $25.6 million in proceeds distributed to 49 children’s charities in Collier County.
Through the years, $269 million has been raised affecting 300,000 local kids.
Since NWWF’s 2001 debut, “Wine Spectator” magazine notes the Festival is America’s top wine charity auction.
This year's theme is "Generosity in Full Bloom."
What to look for
If you’ve never been, here’s what to know.
The traditional components of the three-day event include fun, food and copious wine from the world's best vintners.
The schedule is as follows:
Jan 26. is Meet the Kids Day which precedes the Vintners Lunch this year at Artis—Naples.
At night, attendees dine at a “Vintner Dinner” with meals featuring the world’s most prestigious fine wines. This year's designated "Honored Vintner" is Veronique Boss-Drouhin.
The food? Prepared by celebrity chefs, this year’s starry roster includes “Top Chef” judge Tom Colicchio.
Coincidence or not, according to our sister newspaper The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, the show's next season is set in Wisconsin, home to the Festival's 2024 "Chef de Cuisine" Paul Bartolotta.
On Jan. 27, the famous auction at The Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón, starts with 50 spectacular lots up for bids, offering rare access to the finest of the finer things in life. One biggie to keep an eye on: A week-long Mediterranean cruise for a dozen guests aboard former Google CEO Eric Schmidt’s 312-foot superyacht M/Y Whisper with a crew of 27 attending to every need.
Nourishing guests before the auction, chefs from other Ritz-Carlton properties and J.W. Marriott’s resorts showcase delicious nibbles. Outdoor tents are arranged like a food festival, but much fancier.
The auction’s highlight for this reporter in 2023 was seeing the divine Sela Ward, whose headshot was on my phone to inspire my stylist at the hair salon. I still hope Ward didn’t think it was too creepy to share my phone photo with her.
Post-auction Saturday caps off with a party at the resort.
On Jan. 28, Sunday brunch at The Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón, wraps up the celebration.
Admission price
Ticket prices for 2024 start at $17,000 for two to attend. "Jeroboam" packages for four to attend are $40,000.
The Vintage Cellar wine-centric luncheon at Bleu Provence for 40 on Jan. 25 requires a separate ticket purchase.
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Dress code
The suggested dress code is resort casual, but many glam it up for the festivities.
What will this year bring? Although funds are distributed to the charities in March, we’ll report live from the auction this weekend and keep readers posted at naplesnews.com.
Food and restaurant writer Diana Biederman is covering the Festival this weekend and will wear the same dress as last year, a Michael Kors Collection shift scored on Poshmark for $100.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Naples Winter Wine Festival returns this weekend: What to know
