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Naples Winter Wine Festival Returns for

27 Annual Celebration with the Theme
th
“Hope Sings -A brighter tomorrow takes the stage.” on January 29-31, 2027

Nation’s Top Charity Wine Auction will showcase acclaimed vintners and celebrity chefs at
The Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón after raising over $30 million for vulnerable children this year

he Naples Children Foundation (NCF), founders of the world- of the last five years. She brings to every endeavor the same warmth and
renowned Naples Winter Wine Festival (NWWF), is proud to sense of purpose that shaped her years as an educator—a steadfast belief that
T announce the NWWF will return for its 27th annual celebration community is built one act of generosity at a time.
featuring some of the world’s most exclusive wines, delectable food and A fifth generation Floridian, Valerie Boyd is a Founding Trustee of NCF
amazing travel experiences on January 29-31, 2027 at The Ritz-Carlton and previously served as Chairman of the Board for the organization and
Naples, Tiburón. chaired the Naples Winter Wine Festival auction. She also has served on
With three days of festival activities, the 2027 NWWF will once again the NCF Grant Committee and is active on other boards in Florida and
showcase dozens of top vintners and award-winning chefs who generously California. A proprietor of Gargiulo Vineyards along with husband Jeff
donate their time and talents at intimate private dinners throughout Naples, Gargiulo, Valerie graduated from Florida State University and spent 40 years
plus an exciting live auction with unique, one-of-a-kind lots. in real estate development and banking in Southwest Florida. In 1988, she
This year’s theme “Hope Sings” together with the tagline “A brighter was appointed to the South Florida Water Management District and served
tomorrow takes the stage.” celebrates the idea that when a community lifts its as Chairman. She also served on the Founding Governing Board of Florida
voice in support of children, hope doesn’t just exist—it resonates, it inspires Gulf Coast University, Florida Transportation Commission and Fish &
and it leads to a brighter future. Festival supporters, vintners, chefs and donors Wildlife Foundation of Florida.
will create a chorus of generosity to transform the lives of children in need. Debbi Cary attended her first Naples Winter Wine Festival in 2013 and
“Hope is often the first step toward change,” said Ashley Gerry, 2027 was blown away by the impact the Festival had on thousands of children in
NWWF Co-Chair. “For many children served through the NCF’s grants, need. Since then, she has been an active supporter of the Foundation and,
hope begins quietly—in access to healthcare, education and support that might with her husband Bill Cary, joined as Trustees in 2015. Debbi served on the
otherwise be out of reach. But through the generosity of our donors, vintners, Grant Committee and as a member of the NCF Board of Directors. She is a
chefs, sommeliers and partners, that hope grows stronger. It finds its voice.” former community banker and has been an active philanthropist in children’s
Ashley is a Southwest Florida philanthropist who has made it her job to and environmental causes. Debbi previously co-chaired the Naples Winter
invest in the community. For over 15 years, her passion for bettering the lives Wine Festival in 2017, 2022 and 2025.
of others has led her to champion some of the most successful nonprofits The 27th annual NWWF comes following another successful celebration
serving those most in need across the region. At NCF, she has served as a in January 2026 during which over $30 million was raised. Funds are
Board member, as 2026 NWWF Co-Chair, and on the Live and Online distributed by NCF via traditional annual grants to local nonprofits and
Auction Lot Committees. multi-partner and multi-year strategic initiatives focusing on the well-being
Joining Ashley as Co-Chairs for the 2027 Naples Winter Wine Festival of the whole child, including early learning, healthcare, child advocacy and
are Kelley Bailey, Nena Beynon, Valerie Boyd and Debbi Cary. These women out-of-school time.
provide a tremendous amount of past festival experience combined with “Excitement is already starting to build for the 2027 Naples Winter
extensive nonprofit leadership service in the community. Wine Festival, which will highlight some of the world’s most extraordinary
As co-owner of the Knights Bridge Winery in Sonoma County, California, wines, travel packages and unique experiences found nowhere else in the
Kelley Bailey brings over three decades of wine industry experience to shaping world,” said 2027 NWWF Co-Chair Kelley Bailey. “Most importantly, every
the estate’s vision and future. A New York native, she began her career in dollar raised during our live auction under the big tent will benefit kids in our
1987 at Bridgehampton Winery before moving to Northern California and community.”
ultimately spending nearly 30 years with Jackson Family Wines, where she Ticket packages for the Naples Winter Wine Festival are sold for the
rose to Executive Vice President of Marketing and later President of the Spire entire weekend and start at $17,500 per couple for a Double Magnum
Collection, overseeing strategy, brand development, sales and hospitality for a package and $40,000 for two couples to experience a Jeroboam package. For
portfolio of luxury wines. Since retiring, she continues to serve in an advisory further details, please visit: napleswinefestival.com/about-the-festival.
role while focusing on Knights Bridge Winery, where she and her husband About Naples Children Foundation
The Naples Children Foundation, the founding organization of the Naples Winter Wine Festival,
Jim realized their long-held dream in 2020 of building a world-class winery
creates transformational change and improves educational, emotional and health outcomes for vulnerable
on their sustainably farmed estate. Together, they are also deeply committed to 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
philanthropy, supporting a wide range of charitable initiatives and giving back
resources they need to succeed. Through bold investments, collaborative partnerships, and data-driven solu-
through their foundation. tions, 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
Nena Beynon is a Naples-based philanthropist and former public-school
time. For additional information on the Naples Children Foundation, please contact Jacqueline Wickert at
educator whose commitment to community has defined both her professional j.wickert@napleschildrenfoundation.org or 239-325-3187.
About Naples Winter Wine Festival
and personal life. After a career in the classroom, she channeled her passion
The Naples Winter Wine Festival (NWWF), one of the world's most prestigious charity wine auc-
for service into Southwest Florida’s philanthropic landscape, co-founding tions, 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
the Turkey Drop alongside her husband Bill Beynon—an annual initiative on once-in-a-lifetime travel and wine experiences during an electrifying live auction. Since its inaugural
providing Thanksgiving meals to families in need across the region. Nena 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. For additional information on the Naples Winter
has served as a Co-Chair of the Naples Winter Wine Festival during four Wine Festival, please contact Lisa Juliano at lisa@napleswinefestival.com or 239-325-2972.
Life in Naples | August-September-October 2026 57