2026 NAPLES WINTER WINE FESTIVAL RAISES OVER $30 MILLION

2026 NAPLES WINTER WINE FESTIVAL LIVE AUCTION RAISES OVER $30 MILLION BENEFITTING VULNERABLE CHILDREN IN COLLIER COUNTY

Highlights include a “Million Dollar Night of Country” with a private dinner and concert with Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Thomas Rhett; a 2026 Aston Martin Vanquish Volante convertible paired with a VIP driving experience in Miami; seven nights of lakeside luxury and Italian splendor in Lake Como with a stay in Villa Polli; a “Million Dollar Meal” at Prime Social Reserve with acclaimed Chef Dustin Valette; and an eight-night luxurious voyage along the Greek islands aboard the 164’ ORIY private charter yacht courtesy of Knights Bridge Winery.

The 26th annual Naples Winter Wine Festival (NWWF) “Picture This” culminated this weekend following an exhilarating live auction, raising more than $30 million to benefit the most vulnerable children in Collier County. This incredible support brings the total amount raised by the NWWF to more than $366 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 51 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 some of the most effective nonprofit organizations in the local community that have provided 385,000 children with the significant services and resources they need to excel.

Among this year’s top live auction lots were:

• “Million Dollar Night of Country with Thomas Rhett” for $1.375 million: 55 couples each contributed $25,000 to attend an exclusive evening event in November 2026 featuring Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter Thomas Rhett. Born in Valdosta, Georgia, multi-Platinum artist Thomas Rhett has spent just over 10 years gathering 24 Number One singles, 16 billion streams and armfuls of awards including the 2020 ACM Award for “Entertainer of the Year.” The special gathering will be held at the Naples Jet Center in Naples, Florida, and will include a cocktail reception followed by a delicious multi-course meal served with exceptional wines.

• “Vanquish Velocity: Waves and Wheels” for $1.1 million: One lucky bidder took home a brand new 2026 Aston Martin Vanquish Volante convertible with an Iridescent Sapphire exterior and Glacier White leather interior color, highlighted with Gloss Black carbon fiber and Pale Blue contrast stitching. In addition to this incredible vehicle, the winning couple will enjoy a one-night VIP driving experience in Miami, including one night’s accommodation in an Ocean Bungalow at the Five-star Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club, Surfside; a four-hour driving experience at The Concours Club, followed by a multi-course wine-paired meal at Verge, helmed by award-winning Chef Brad Kilgore; and one multi-course wine-paired tasting menu dinner at Lido Restaurant at The Surf Club.

• “The Beauty and Majesty of Lake Como with Black Book Villas” for $1.1 million: Four couples will experience seven nights of lakeside luxury and Italian splendor in Lake Como with a stay in Villa Polli. The villa features seven ensuite bedrooms, a heated pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, hammam, fitness room, cinema and game rooms, lush gardens and full daily service from a private chef and butler, plus 24-hour concierge to cater to guests’ every need. The winning couples will also enjoy a private three-hour Giuditta boat tour, then a multi-course dinner at Hotel Passalacqua – named “Best Hotel in the World.” The couples can expect additional surprises and bespoke experiences throughout their stay.

• “Million Dollar Meal … ALL for the Kids!” for $1 million: 40 couples each contributed $25,000 to indulge in an exclusive rooftop dinner on November 17, 2026 at Prime Social Reserve overlooking iconic Fifth Avenue South in Naples, Florida. The evening will begin with a cocktail and wine reception with passed hors d’oeuvres followed by a multi-course dinner prepared by 2026 NWWF Chef de Cuisine Dustin Valette in collaboration with Prime Social Reserve’s Executive Chef Alejandra Bringas and served with fine wines. Valette is the Chef-Owner of Valette and The Matheson in Healdsburg, California, and Owner of Valette Wines. His cuisine is a true representation of wine country, blending bold, dynamic ingredients with strong community ties and collaborations with local farmers and purveyors. Evening musical entertainment will be provided by award-winning singer-songwriter and Southwest Florida native Kelly Neff.

• “Eight Knights on a Grand Greek Odyssey” for $850,000: Four couples will journey on an eight-night luxurious private yacht voyage along the Greek islands courtesy of Knights Bridge Winery from either Friday, July 10, 2026 to Saturday, July 18, 2026 or Saturday, July 18, 2026 to Sunday, July 26, 2026. Guests will enjoy one night’s accommodation at a luxury hotel in either Corfu or Zakynthos based on dates of travel and then a seven-night journey aboard the 164-foot ORIY private charter yacht. A carefully curated itinerary includes stops in locations such as Corfu, Parga, Antipaxos, Lefkada, Kastos, Ithaki, Paralia Atheras, Argostoli, Keri, Preveza and Zakynthos. Through the duration of their stay, the couples will enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner, prepared by the onboard private chef. Also, depending upon the dates of travel, the couples will travel either One-way, Private Air from New York, New York or Boston, Massachusetts to Corfu, Greece or from Corfu, Greece to New York, New York or Boston, Massachusetts on a Citation Longitude; and One-way, Business Class Airfare from New York, New York or Boston, Massachusetts to Zakynthos, Greece or from Zakynthos, Greece to New York, New York or Boston, Massachusetts. The couples also will share several wines, including one 6 Liter 2022 Knights Bridge Draco Dormiere; four 1.5 Liter 2022 Knights Bridge Estate Cabernet Sauvignon; four 1.5 Liter 2022 Knights Bridge Linville Cabernet Sauvignon; four 1.5 Liter 2023 Knights Bridge Haggerty Road Red Blend; four 1.5 Liter 2023 Knights Bridge Kelley Chardonnay; and four 1.5 Liter 2024 Knights Bridge Fairview Sauvignon Blanc.

• “Isle Be Back: Adventures in the Galapagos” for $800,000: Four couples will embark on a nine-night journey to Ecuador with a private Galapagos yacht experience. Their journey will begin with two nights in Plaza View rooms at 5-star Casa Gangotena in Quito, including a guided visit to Ciudad Mitad del Mundo and Old Town with lunch, plus an evening at Fundación Guayasamín with folk ballet and a multi-course Ecuadorian dinner. Then, they will enjoy seven nights aboard the 124-foot Galapagos Explorer, stopping at Santa Cruz, San Cristóbal, Española, Floreana, Bartolomé, Genovesa and Daphne Major. This spectacular yacht features Suites and Luxury Cabins, indoor/outdoor dining, Jacuzzi, snorkeling, kayaks and a crew of 11 plus two bilingual naturalists to attend to guests’ every need. All meals, beverages, fuel, dockage and port fees are included in the package.

• “Luxury and Wildlife on the African Savannahs” for $650,000: Two couples will travel on a nine-night indulgent African expedition with Belmond. The journey begins with Roundtrip, Business Class Airfare from any major U.S. city to Cape Town, South Africa, where guests will enjoy three nights in Junior Suites at Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel, Cape Town. During their stay, they will enjoy a three-course dinner at Amura by Ángel León; a full-day private pool cabana experience and a full-day open-top Jeep Constantia winelands tour. The couples will then travel Roundtrip, Highest Class Airfare from Cape Town, South Africa, to Maun, Botswana, for three nights in Luxury Tented Rooms at Eagle Island Lodge, A Belmond Safari, Botswana. Inclusive activities will include twice-daily game drives, seasonal boating, fishing, mokoro water tour, bird watching and star-gazing. Then, the couples will enjoy three nights’ accommodations in Luxury Tented Rooms at Savute Elephant Lodge, A Belmond Safari, Botswana. While there, they will experience a private remote pop-up dinner by helicopter along with inclusive activities like twice-daily game drives, bird watching, San Bushman rock art hike, visit to the baobab grove, boma and star-gazing. All-inclusive meals and select wines, alcoholic beverages and non-alcoholic beverages are included during the couples’ stays in Botswana.

• “An Oasis of BVLGARI Wonders in Dubai” for $650,000: Two couples will embark on an extraordinary Arabian escape with BVLGARI to Dubai where they will spend five nights at Bvlgari Resort Dubai. During their stay, they will enjoy a couple’s spa treatment with hammam at The Bvlgari Spa Dubai; a private luxury yacht charter in the Persian Gulf around Palm Jumeirah and Burj Al Arab; full-day private tour including stops at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Louvre Abu Dhabi with private guide and Qasr Al Watan; private High Jewelry appointment at BVLGARI Dubai Boutique; and a premium desert safari experience in a vintage Land Rover, including a sunset dinner; a private guided morning tour of Old Dubai; and modern art exploring in Al Fahidi Historical District, Alserkal Avenue and the Dubai Gold Souk. Other experiences include dinner at Two Michelin-starred Italian restaurant Il Ristorante by Niko Romito; dinner at Two Michelin-starred STAY by Yannick Alléno; an intimate dinner at the fine dining Jumeirah Al Qasr’s Pierchic; and a private dinner at one of the hotel restaurants along with access to the Bvlgari Beach Club.

• “Gargiulo: A Journey Through Culinary Italy” for $650,000: Two couples will join Gargiulo Vineyards Proprietors Valerie Boyd and Jeff Gargiulo and traditional Italian Chef Angelo Auriana for a six-night food and wine journey through Italy. The journey begins in Naples, Florida with a planning dinner at the home of Valerie and Jeff prior to the trip. The couples will then travel to Bologna and Emilia-Romagna region in Italy for four nights’ accommodations at a luxury hotel. While there, they will visit the iconic culinary destination Mercato di Mezzo; visit with local chefs to learn about and taste local specialties; and enjoy personally-curated visits to factories where Prosciutto di Parma, Parmigiano Reggiano and Balsamic Vinegar of Modena are produced. Lunch and dinner featuring the food of the region are included daily. Then, it’s off to Bergamo, Italy, for two nights’ accommodations at a luxury hotel. Guests will enjoy a private tour through the city hosted by Auriana with daily lunch and dinner featuring the food of the region. The trip includes Roundtrip, Business Class Airfare from the United States to Italy. The two winning couples also will receive a selection of rare collectible wines (in etched bottles) from Gargiulo Vineyards, including two 3 Liter 2022 Gargiulo Vineyards 575 OVX Cabernet Sauvignon; two 3 Liter 2022 Gargiulo Vineyards G Major 7 Study Cabernet Sauvignon; and two 3 Liter 2022 Gargiulo Vineyards Money Road Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon.

Festival attendees also generously participated in a heart-felt call to action with on-the-spot donations supporting this year’s Fund a Need, “The Picture of Health.” These contributions totaled more than $7 million to support the Naples Children Foundation’s (NCF’s) healthcare initiatives for children, specifically addressing critical gaps in access to mental health, oral health, vision and primary healthcare services.

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 NCF’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, 21 world-renowned vintners and 17 of the world’s elite featured sommeliers paired off to prepare exquisite, intimate dinners at the elegant, private homes of Festival Trustees and other exclusive locations across Naples.

Although this weekend marked the final days of the 2026 NWWF, Festival enthusiasts still have the opportunity to bid for a number of remarkable auction lot items through the 12th annual NWWF online auction as well as to donate to the Fund a Need at nwwfonlineauction.com.

Using the funds raised from this year’s auction, NCF will award grants to nonprofit organizations and fund strategic initiatives supporting Collier County children in need on March 16, 2026.

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 more than $366 million, making a profound difference in the lives of hundreds of thousands of children in Collier County.

About Naples Children Foundation

The Naples Children Foundation (NCF), the founding organization of the Naples Winter Wine Festival, creates transformational change and improves educational, emotional and health outcomes for vulnerable children in Collier County. Through its annual grants and strategic initiatives, NCF has impacted nearly 90 of the most effective nonprofits in the local community, providing 385,000 children with the services and resources they need to succeed. Through bold investments, collaborative partnerships, and data-driven solutions, NCF supports programs that ensure every child can thrive. NCF’s unique approach, which 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 Foundation or the Naples Winter Wine Festival, please contact Lisa Juliano at lisa@napleswinefestival.com or 239-514-2239.