2024 NAPLES WINTER WINE FESTIVAL LIVE AUCTION ACHIEVES NEW MILESTONE

2024 NAPLES WINTER WINE FESTIVAL LIVE AUCTION ACHIEVES NEW MILESTONE RAISING MORE THAN $33 MILLION FOR AT-RISK AND UNDERPRIVILEGED CHILDREN

The record-breaking day includes the highest amount for a single live auction lot – $2.7 million for a seven-night Mediterranean cruise for six couples onboard the 312-foot super yacht M/YWhisper, plus an amazing $1.4 million for a 2024 Rolls-Royce Spectre, the automaker’s inaugural all-electric vehicle and the only one to be auctioned off in the U.S. this year

 The record-breaking day includes the highest amount for a single live auction lot – $2.7 million for a seven-night Mediterranean cruise for six couples onboard the 312-foot superyacht M/YWhisper, plus an amazing $1.4 million for a 2024 Rolls-Royce Spectre, the automaker’s inaugural all-electric vehicle and the only one to be auctioned off in the U.S. this year

The 2024 Naples Winter Wine Festival (NWWF) “Generosity in Full Bloom” culminated this weekend following an amazing live auction, raising a new record of more than $33 million to support at-risk and underprivileged children in Collier County. This brings the total amount raised by the NWWF to almost $302 million since its inception in 2001.

Festival attendees once again came together under the big tent just outside The Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón to bid on 50 unique, one-of-a-kind wine, travel and culinary live auction lots, many of which included wines from some of the world’s most revered vineyards. All proceeds will support close to 90 of the most effective nonprofit organizations in the community that have provided more than 300,000 local children with the services and resources they need to excel.

Among this year’s top auction lots were:

• “Sailing the Turquoise Waters of the Mediterranean” for $2.7 million: Six couples will cruise the Mediterranean for seven nights on the 312-foot superyacht M/Y Whisper (formerly Kismet), enjoying every comfort and convenience while visiting exotic ports and out-of-the-way destinations. The seven spacious Staterooms are equipped with King beds and ensuites, and there is a crew of 27 to attend to their every need. The yacht includes multiple lounging and dining areas, formal dining room, fold-down sea terrace, double height main saloon, cozy cinema room, world-class gym, full spa and salon, an impressive range of tenders and toys and a top deck 12m pool, perfect for gazing the stunning coastlines.

• “Driving on the Wings of a Cloud” for $1.4 million: The winning bidder will be among the first in the United States to own a 2024 Rolls-Royce Spectre, the automaker’s inaugural all-electric vehicle. The automobile offers a bespoke design specifically for the 2024 NWWF, with an Arctic White and Tempest Grey two-tone exterior including a Tailored Purple coach line, 23” wing spoke part polished wheels and Grace White leather interior accented with Tailored Purple and Black. When it comes to speed, the car boasts 577 hp and 664 ft-lbs of torque, enabling it to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds. The interior features the starlight headliner as well as starlight doors and fascia and is the most connected Rolls-Royce ever.

• “25 Years of Wine, Music and Generosity” for $1 million: 40 couples each contributed $25,000to take part in this exclusive one-of-a-kind event at D’Amico’s The Continental. The evening will begin with a cocktail reception followed by a multi-course sit-down meal. The wines being poured will hail from former NWWF Honored Vintners, representing a selection spanning the past 24 years. The event will conclude with a remarkable musical performance by The Silverado Pickups, a kickoff to the 25th anniversary season of the Naples Winter Wine Festival.

• “Million Dollar Meal… ALL for the Kids!” for $1 million: 40 couples also each contributed $25,000 for a once-in-a-lifetime, exclusive dinner at The Surf Club Restaurant at the Four Seasons in Surfside, Florida on Thursday, November 21, 2024. Few Florida restaurants have been as hotly anticipated as The Surf Club by Chef Thomas Keller and the 40 winning couples will enjoy the best meal of the year with the satisfaction of knowing that all the money raised will be channeled directly to children in need in Collier County. The experience will include a cocktail and wine reception with passed canapés and an elegant, multi-course wine paired tasting menu.

• “Cruising the Islands of Croatia” for $800,000: Four couples will join hosts Kelley and Jim Bailey, proprietors of Knights Bridge Winery, for eight nights on an unforgettable exploration of the wonders of Croatia. They will spend one night in a luxury hotel in either Dubrovnik or Split before boarding the 122-foot yacht Navilux, an elegant vessel with every possible comfort and convenience, including an experienced crew of eight. During the seven nights onboard, the couples will visit islands only accessible to small luxury vessels such as Brač, Hvar, Korčula, Mljet and Šipan. With a coastline bordering the Adriatic Sea and a rich culture of art, music, food and wine, the country has something to delight everyone. Each couple also will receive a Magnum of 2021 Draco Dormiere. One-Way Private Air and one-way Business Class Airfare are included.

• “Unbelievably Utah” for $800,000: Three couples or six individuals will travel Roundtrip, Private Air on a Global 6000 from Naples, Florida to Salt Lake City, Utahwhere they will spend a week in the luxurious 7,000-square-foot Deer Valley penthouse owned by Shelly and Ralph Stayer. The Penthouse features four bedrooms, plus an eight-bed bunkroom, six full baths, multiple fireplaces, cigar room, ski-in/ski-out access and priceless views of the mountains. Guests will have access to all Montage Deer Valley amenities, as well as four days of ski passes at Montage and one day at Deer Crest Club. They also will visit top local restaurants, including tupelo, La Stellina and Apex, and indulge in the Alpenglobe dinner experience. This lot includes one Louis Vuitton Horizon Soft Duffle 55. The winners also will enjoy 10 assorted Magnums of wine.

• “Driving to Victory with Aston Martin and F1” for $650,000: One lucky bidder took home a 2024 Aston Martin DB12 Volante convertible with a Caribbean Blue Pearl 2 exterior, blue roof, smoked taillights, red brake calipers and Glacier White leather interior with Spicy Red contrast stitching. The vehicle offers a 4-liter, twin turbo engine with a top speed of 202 mph and the ability to go from zero to 62 mph in 3.7 seconds. The winner also will spend three days in Miami and receive two tickets to Aston Martin’s F1 Paddock Club with access to the team’s garages, along with fine dining, copious amounts of Champagne and a view of the track unlike any. Exclusive experiences during the race weekend will be planned by the Aston Martin team.

• “Southeast Asian Sojourn through Vietnam and Thailand” for $650,000: Two couples will fly Business Class Airfare to Southeast Asia and Highest-Class Airfare between each location while experiencing a nine-night cultural exploration of Thailand and Vietnam. The journey begins with three nights in Bangkok with a helicopter tour, followed by visits to Wat Pho and Ayutthaya, plus an art and culture tour of the city. Guests will fly to Chiang Rai and stay three nights at Five-Star Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort and spend a night in comfort observing majestic elephants in their natural habitat in a Jungle Bubble. The odyssey will conclude with three nights in Ho Chi Minh City, with visits to historical sites related to America’s Vietnam war years and a sunset cruise along the Saigon River, plus a chef’s table experience at Mia Saigon.

• “The Rarest of the Rare” for $650,000: Two couples will travel Roundtrip, Business Class Airfare for six nights in France with the best of Paris, followed by special insider access in Reims. The journey begins with three nights in Paris, where guests will receive a private tour of the Palace of Versailles and visit Maison Mellerio, the oldest and last family-owned jewelry house in France. They will then transfer to Reims for a private tour of Reims Cathedral. At Rare Champagne, they will be welcomed with a private vineyard and cellar tour, plus a tasting hosted by the chef de cave, Émilien Boutillat, and a splendid dinner at Résidence Eisenhower featuring a collection of older vintages. Each couple will also receive a pair of 2008 and 2014 Magnums.

A heart-felt call to action, on-the-spot donations supporting this year’s Fund a Need, “Putting Down Roots: Early Learning GROWS a Healthy Mind,” brought in contributions of more than $7.8million to support NCEF’s early learning and mental health initiatives. Every dollar will support NCEF’s holistic approach of providing behavioral and mental health supports at an early age, ensuring children receive the necessary resources and services to allow them to grow and thrive.

The 2024 Naples Winter Wine Festival kicked off Thursday evening with an exclusive Grand Crew Party at Campiello restaurant in historic Old Naples. This year, the Festival honored renowned Burgundy and Oregon winemaker Véronique Boss-Drouhin of Maison Joseph Drouhin and Domaine Drouhin Oregon as its 2024 Honored Vintner and four-time nominated and two-time James Beard Award-winning Chef Paul Bartolottaas its 2024Chef de Cuisine.

On Friday, Festival attendees got the opportunity to witness first-hand the life-changing impact of the NWWF during the annual Meet the Kids Day. The morning culminated in heartfelt presentations showcasing remarkable success stories that NCEF’s grants have made possible, followed by a delicious luncheon highlighting fabulous wines presented by acclaimed vintners.

The night before Saturday’s Live Auction, 18 all-star celebrity chefs, over 20 renowned vintners and 18 of the world’s elite featured sommeliers paired off to prepare exquisite, intimate dinners at the stunning private homes of Festival Trustees and other exclusive locations across Naples.

Although today marked the final day of the 2024 NWWF, Festival enthusiasts still have the opportunity to bid for a number of remarkable auction lot items through the online auction at nwwfonlineauction.com or donate to Fund a Need until Tuesday, January 30 at 5 p.m. (EST).

Using the funds raised from this year’s auction, NCEF will award grants to local organizations and fund strategic initiatives supporting Collier County children in need on March 18, 2024.

About Naples Winter Wine Festival
The Naples Winter Wine Festival (NWWF), one of the world’s most prestigious charity wine auctions, offers a weekend of unforgettable memories. Guests enjoy world-class food and wine during intimate dinners in elegant, private homes and other landmark settings throughout Naples and are invited to bid on once-in-a-lifetime travel and wine experiences during an electrifying live auction. Since its inaugural event in 2001, the NWWF has raised almost $302 million, making a profound difference in the lives of hundreds of thousands of children in Collier County.

About Naples Children & Education Foundation
The Naples Children & Education Foundation (NCEF), the founding organization of the Naples Winter Wine Festival, is improving the educational, emotional and health outcomes of underprivileged and at-risk children. Through its annual grants and strategic initiatives, NCEF has impacted close to 90 of the most effective nonprofits in the local community, providing more than 300,000 children with the services and resources they need to excel. NCEF’s unique approach, which emphasizes collaboration between organizations and bridges public and private resources, has become a blueprint for how to transform a community, one issue at a time.

For additional information on the Naples Children & Education Foundation or the Naples Winter Wine Festival, contact Lisa Juliano at lisa@napleswinefestival.com or 239-514-2239.