NAPLES WINTER WINE FESTIVAL Raises More Than $20 MILLION During its 20th Anniversary

The 20th annual Naples Winter Wine Festival came to a grand finale raising over $20 million for underprivileged and at-risk children of Collier County, a record-breaking number.

This brings the total amount raised by the NWWF to more than $212 million since its inception in 2001.

Festival attendees came together under the tent at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort to bid on 61 once-in-a-lifetime auction lots, including wine lots from some of the most revered vineyards across the globe. The Festival opened with a special performance by Kool & The Gang.

Other celebrity attendees included comedian, Sebastian Maniscalco, TV personality, Judge Judy and PGA golfer, Greg Norman, who was so moved by the cause that he generously gave back by supporting an auction lot that included golfing with fellow PGA golfer, Jack Nicklaus.

This year’s top lot was When the Majestic Meets the Mediterranean, a one-week Mediterranean cruise for five couples aboard a 201-foot super yacht, which went for $1,050,000. Additionally, the two first edition automobiles, the 2020 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Volante Convertible and 2020 Bentley Flying Spurs, went for $550,000 and $500,000 respectively.

On the-spot donations supporting this year’s Fund a Need brought in contributions of over $4 million to support NCEF’s seven strategic initiatives focusing on the whole child. These include early learning, healthcare, hunger, mental health, oral health, out of-school time and vision.

Additional auction highlights included: $600,000 for A Royal Affair– Two couples won a 14 day journey across India’s seven cities. After a luxurious overnight in New Delhi, the couples will visit the City Palace at Udaipur and sip afternoon tea with the Royal Family. Continuing to Jodhpur, guests enjoy cocktails and dinners with the Maharaja of Jodhpur and tour scenic gardens. Folkloric experiences follow in Jaisalmer, while tiger safaris command attention in Ranthambore. With three nights in Jaipur, the couples tour the City Palace and the intriguing “Pink City,” dine with royalty and experience Diwali, the festival of lights. The journey concludes in Agra, home of the iconic Taj Mahal.

$520,000 for The St. Barths Vibe avec Cuvée – Four couples will spend five nights at Cuvée’s new villa, Vue de Rêves, a private, ocean-hugging masterpiece in St. Barths with panoramic views and exquisite design. Activities include a catamaran cruise with a private chef, a private cooking lesson at Eden Rock’s culinary school and an in villa dinner prepared by Cuvée’s private chef. With five Masteren suites on four different levels, the villa features thoughtful details and amenities, such as a wine cave carved into natural stone and afire-meets-water infinity pool terrace.

$500,000 for Making Megawaves – Four couples will decide which sea to see for their one week cruise aboard the luxurious Motor Yacht Gitana. A floating hotel, the 158-foot Gitana features five posh cabins, a plunge pool and 10 member crew, including aprivate chef to prepare gourmet meals for the guests. A wonderful collection of Bodega 202 wines will be onboard for the couples’enjoyment.

$480,000 for Win an English Triple Crown – Two couples will spend 11 nights in the United Kingdom with VIP admission to Wimbledon and the British Open, among a trio of amazing destinations. The couples will receive Wimbledon Club Debenture tickets, featuring Centre Court seats for the men’s and women’s finals in singles and doubles competition and access to player and celebrity lounges. The couples will also work on their own game with a private,90 minute lesson with John McEnroe and Stan Smith. The couples’ next stop is a 16th century estate for three nights before the final jewel of the trip, VIP tickets to the British Open.

$480,000 for In Vegas, It’s All About Performance– One lucky couple won the all new, mid-engine Corvette Stingray Coupe or Convertible, customized to their specifications with the amazing Corvette Configurator. The winners will also invite another couple to join them for two nights in Vegas, where one guest learns all about Corvette handling and capabilities at the Ron Fellows Performance Driving School. At night, the couples settle into four VIP stage seats at the table next to Lady Gaga’s piano for her incredible Vegas show on May 16, 2020, complete with backstage access and a meet and greet.

$400,000 for Gargiulo Vineyards 20th Anniversary: Naples, Nashville and Napa – Two couples won a Naples to Napa fine wine and dining experience, along with a musical side trip to Nashville. The experience starts with a special dinner for up to24 guests in the new Club Room at Campiello, Richard D’Amico’s restaurant in Naples, with a tasting of Gargiulo Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon. With three nights in Nashville, the couples join Valerie Boyd, Jeff Gargiulo and their musical friends for music, food and fun. In Napa for four nights, the couples join the festivities at the Gargiulo Vineyards annual harvest party, featuring nonstop entertainment. The couples receive a Double Magnum of three fabulous Gargiulo Vineyards Cabs and three Magnums of its 20thAnniversary Commemorative Cabernet wine upon release.

$300,000 for Soaring Through a Winter Wonderland– The White Turf horse races headline the wintery Alpine adventures for two couples during one week in Switzerland. The couples spend three nights at the luxurious Kulm hotel in St. Moritz with a helicopter sightseeing flight. Guests will indulge in the glitz and glamour of the White Turf horse races, a unique equine festival on a frozen lake. The couples receive exclusive access to VIP lounges, the viewing terrace and dining area. Then it’s a scenic train ride in a First-Class cabin aboard the Glacier Express to the Matterhorn for three nights.

The Festival kicked off with an intimate Vintage Cellar Wine Tasting & Luncheon led by world-renowned wine critic Antonio Galloni of Vinous featuring Domaines Barons de Rothschild. Guests tasted vintages from Château L’Évangile, Château Lafite, Château Duhart-Milon and 2018 “R” de Rieussec.

This year, the Festival honored Chef de Cuisine Sarah Grueneberg of Monteverde Restaurant & Pastificio and Honored Vintner Saskia de Rothschild of Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite). The night before Saturday’s Live Auction, more than 20celebrity chefs, over 30 world-class vintners and 20 of the world’s elite Master Sommeliers paired off to prepare exquisite dinners atthe stunning homes of Festival Trustees and some of Naples’ iconic destinations.

About the Naples Children & Education Foundation

The Naples Children & Education Foundation, 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 over 45 of the most effective nonprofits in the community, providing 275,000 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.

About the Naples Winter Wine Festival

The Naples Winter Wine Festival, one of the world’s most prestigious charity wine auctions, offers a weekend of unforgettable memories. Guests enjoy worldclass food and wine during intimate dinners in private homes, 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 $212 million, making a profound difference in the lives of thousands of children.

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