Naples Children & Education Foundation
- - The Naples Children & Education Foundation (NCEF) was established in 2000 with the vision of making a profound and sustaining difference in the lives of children in Collier County.
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Naples Winter Wine Festival
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    The Naples Winter Wine Festival is ranked among the top 10 arts and entertainment events for wealthy Americans. This ranking by the Luxury Institute is based on exclusivity, quality and prestige.
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    Lisa JulianoSVP, Naples Winter Wine Festival & Event Production
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  - - Aug. 192025
      Incredible Lineup of Acclaimed Vintners and Top Chefs Unveiled for 26th Annual N...
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      A Record Investment Made from the Naples Winter Wine Festival
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In the News

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May. 052015

Naples Winter Wine Festival 2016 plans, dates announced

Naples Daily News

May. 042015

High School Student Accepted To 11 Colleges – including Three Ivy Leagues – Makes Her Pick

Apr. 232015

Behind the Scenes with Maria Jimenez-Lara, the Newly Appointed CEO of Naples Children & Education Foundation

On May 1, 2015, Maria Jimenez-Lara will become the new CEO of the Naples Children & Education Foundation (NCEF), founders of the Naples Winter Wine Festival. For the past three years Maria has been a…

Apr. 192015

Results of a good cause, by the numbers

News-Press

Apr. 172015

NCEF Hires New CEO

Apr. 152015

Lucrative wine fest organizers sip new CEO

Apr. 132015

On the Move – Maria Jimenez-Lara

Apr. 112015

Depression doesn’t equal violent person

Inside the Naples Winter Wine Festival Video Serie

Inside the Naples Winter Wine Festival Video Series: Wine Down!
Celebrate the enormous generosity of the winning bidders as we “wine down” and relax to more great food. Dance the night away to live music as some of the world’s greatest wines are poured.

NWWF26 Celebrity Chef highlights are here! Today w

NWWF26 Celebrity Chef highlights are here! Today we are featuring Karen Akunowicz of Fox & the Knife in Boston, Massachusetts.
Chef Karen Akunowicz, James Beard Award winner and fan-favorite on Bravo’s Top Chef, has become one of Boston’s most beloved culinary voices. Known as “Boston’s Queen of Pasta,” she’s the chef/owner of Fox & the Knife, Bar Volpe, Fox Pasta Co. and most recently Fox & Flight at Boston Logan Airport. Her bold, flavor-driven cooking has earned national recognition. Beyond the kitchen, Karen connects with home cooks through her bestselling cookbook Crave, honored as “2023 Cookbook of the Year,” bringing her vibrant, approachable style to tables everywhere.

Hello #WineWednesday! The incredible lineup of wor

Happy Labor Day! 🌟 Today we celebrate workers i

Happy Labor Day! 🌟 Today we celebrate workers in every field, with a special thank you to the educators and childcare professionals whose dedication strengthens our community every day. Your impact is deeply valued. #LaborDay

T-Minus 5 Months! The 2026 Naples Winter Wine Fest

T-Minus 5 Months! The 2026 Naples Winter Wine Festival is five months away! With the theme “Picture This,” the 2026 Naples Winter Wine Festival returns showcasing the finest wines, impeccable cuisine and rare and exotic auction lots, all to benefit the most vulnerable children in Collier County. Vintners, chefs and featured sommeliers hailing from six different countries will set the stage for a weekend of unique, one-of-a-kind wine and culinary experiences. Cheers!

Happy National Red Wine Day! #ThrowbackThursday to

Happy National Red Wine Day! #ThrowbackThursday to this year’s Shining Stars vintner dinner. Hosted by Kathy & Andy Moock with Karen & Dale Medford. Vintners: Kary & David R. Duncan of Silver Oak in Oakville, California Chef: Elliot Bell of Charlie's in St. Helena, California. Party planner: Lisa Resch of Carolina Catering Company. Cheers!

NWWF26 Vintner Features are here! The incredible l

Auction Day! Embark on a journey beyond your wild

Auction Day!
Embark on a journey beyond your wildest expectations. You will be dazzled by a team of Ritz-Carlton chefs offering a masterpiece menu of savory creations featuring a wide selection of the world’s finest and rarest wines as you get ready for the main event. Be cheered and celebrated as you enter the electrifying atmosphere under the tent to bid on extraordinary wines, travel packages and one-of-a-kind experiences.

Inside the Naples Winter Wine Festival Video Serie

Inside the Naples Winter Wine Festival Video Series: Vintner Dinners! 🍷
Enjoy intimate dinners with award-winning chefs and celebrated vintners hosted by Festival Trustees in elegant, private homes and settings throughout Naples. Forge lifelong friendships with fellow wine and food enthusiasts.

The Naples Children & Education Foundation, founde

The Naples Children & Education Foundation, founders of the Naples Winter Wine Festival, would like to express our congratulations to Julia Van Domelen as a Women's Foundation of Collier County @wfcollierfl 2026 Woman of Initiative honoree! Julia's foundation targets the root causes of poverty – housing, healthcare, education – and creates long-term solutions. “Give more than you take. Make your work and life about service,” Julia says. Her passion for creating access and dignity in education and health has led to transformative spaces like the Van Domelen Pediatric Center and Grace Place’s Bright Beginnings program. Congratulations!

We are beyond excited to unveil the collection of

We are beyond excited to unveil the collection of world-renowned vintners and award-winning celebrity chefs who will be participating in the 26th annual Naples Winter Wine Festival at The Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón on January 30, 2026 through February 1, 2026. ✨🍷 This year’s #NWWF Honored Vintners Shahpar and Darioush Khaledi and Chef de Cuisine Dustin Valette will headline an all-star lineup of world-renowned winemakers and celebrity chefs, including vintners Pablo Álvarez Mezquíriz, Barbara Banke, Candice Bernard Cathiard, Deborah Harlan and Amanda Harlan and Jesse Katz, along with chefs Dave Beran, Cassidee Dabney, Rogelio Garcia, Doug Psaltis and John Tesar.
Click the link in our bio to learn more about this star-studded lineup! 🎉

💙 Happy National Nonprofit Day! 💙 While NCEF

💙 Happy National Nonprofit Day! 💙
While NCEF is proud to be a nonprofit, today we want to shine the spotlight on the nearly 60 incredible nonprofit organizations we fund annually.
Each of our traditional beneficiaries and strategic initiatives plays a vital role in one or more of our four funding categories:� 👶 Early Learning� 💪 Child Advocacy� 🏥 Medical/Healthcare� 🎨 Out-of-School Time
Together, these organizations work tirelessly to support the whole child—mind, body and soul. Today, and every day, we celebrate the impact, dedication and heart of our nonprofit partners.
#NCEF #NWWF #itsALLforthekids #NationalNonprofitDay #ChildAdvocacy #EarlyLearning #MedicalHealthcare #OutofSchoolTime