Considered one of the top 10 arts and entertainment events for wealthy Americans by the Luxury Institute based on exclusivity, quality and prestige, the Naples Winter Wine Festival is set to kick off on January 23, 2015 at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort in Naples, Florida.
According to Wine Spectator, the event has also become one of the most successful charity wine auctions in the nation since 2004. Annually, the three-day event brings together some of the globe’s finest chefs and vintners together with collectors and the world’s most affluent guests.
Attendees will be treated to meals prepared by celebrity chefs including Tom Colicchio and Barbara Lynch. Besides drinking fine wines and dining on delectable fare, the event also aims to raises millions of dollars for underprivileged and at-risk children each year.
This year’s auction items include rare collections of some of the world’s most sought-after wines; a 2015 Mercedes SLS AMG GT Final Edition, one of only 350 in the world; an around-the-world tour in a private jet; dinner at the venerable Château Margaux with wine director Paul Pontallier; and a chance to meet the Queen of England among other hot-ticket items.
There will also be travel experiences to bid on including a 10-day trip through Florence, Venice and Istanbul based on Dan Brown's “Inferno.” Or attendees can bid on five rounds of golf at top-notch courses across North America in five separate time zones, in a single day. One of the coolest auction items is the Krug Experience, which features a collection of Krug’s most notable bottles. The winner will also receive a private, multi-day visit to the Champagne house’s French estate.
In previous years, the auction has raised tens of millions of dollars to support the Naples Children & Education Foundation, the festival’s founding organization. The organization has provided 200,000 children with services and resources necessary for them to excel through annual grants.
Because of its prestige, however, ticket package prices aren’t for the faint of heart. Couples can score a package for $8,500 or $20,000 for reserved seating for a party of four under the tent and at the same vintner dinner. If you are interested in purchasing tickets, contact Barrett Farmer at 239-514-2239 or barrett@napleswinefestival.com.
