Naples Children Foundation
- - The Naples Children Foundation was established in 2000 with the vision to be a sustainable, world-recognized organization that generates and distributes significant resources for the vulnerable children in Collier County and is known for its support of measurable results.
    About The NCF
- Close
Naples Winter Wine Festival
- - NWF 2026 Logo
    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.
    About the Festival
- - Explore the Naples Winter Wine Festival
  - - 2026 Vintners
    - 2026 Chefs
    - 2026 Sommeliers
    - 2025 Auction Lots
- Close
News & Galleries
- - Press Inquiries
    Lisa JulianoSVP, Naples Winter Wine Festival & Event Production
    239-325-2972
    
    Clay ConePR Consultant, Cone Communications
    239-398-9268
    For the press
- - Explore Our News & Galleries
  - - Sep. 162025
      Revered Group of Featured Sommeliers to Showcase Their Talents with Some of the ...
    - Aug. 192025
      Incredible Lineup of Acclaimed Vintners and Top Chefs Unveiled for 26th Annual N...
    more updates
- Close
Donate

In the News

make a donation

Aug. 192013

Another Successful Camp

Naples Daily News

Aug. 082013

Guest commentary: Jim Dixon, Naples Children & Education Foundation

Naples Daily News

Aug. 012013

Youth Haven Spruce Up

Life in Naples

Aug. 012013

Naples Winter Wine Festival Gives $1 Million

The Gift

Aug. 012013

LIGHTHOUSE OF COLLIER, INC. 4th ANNUAL SUMMER CAMP

Naples Daily News

Jul. 152013

Week in Review

Naples Daily News

Jul. 022013

An act of kindness

Collier Citizen

Jul. 022013

Social Network – April 9, 2013 Rock Band Chicago Performs at Private Concert

The Journal

Please join us in welcoming sommelier Erik Elliott

Please join us in welcoming sommelier Erik Elliott, MS of Lawrence Wine Estates in St. Helena, California.
Master Sommelier and Heitz Cellar Estate Director Erik Elliott has built a career defined by passion and purpose. A Philadelphia native and Temple University graduate, Erik fell in love with wine while working at Del Frisco’s Steakhouse. He sold everything to move to Aspen, joining the world-renowned wine program at The Little Nell, where he rose to lead sommelier. After years exploring Europe’s top estates, he traded the mountains for Napa Valley, becoming estate director at Heitz Cellar in 2019. In 2022, he achieved his longtime dream—earning the title of Master Sommelier and reimagining luxury hospitality at Heitz Cellar.

Joining the distinguished Vintner lineup for this

Joining the distinguished Vintner lineup for this year’s Festival is Dominique Arangoïts of Cos d’Estournel in Saint-Éstephe, France.
Born in 1969, Dominique Arangoïts studied agronomy at ENITA (now Bordeaux Sciences Agro) and wine science at the Institute of Oenology of Bordeaux. He began his career at Hungary’s historic Tokaj Disznókő estate before joining Château Cos d’Estournel in 2000, where he continues to craft some of Bordeaux’s most celebrated wines.

This year’s Honored Vintners, Shahpar and Dariou

This year’s Honored Vintners, Shahpar and Darioush Khaledi, together with Chef de Cuisine Dustin Valette, will headline an all-star lineup of world-renowned winemakers and celebrity chefs at the Naples Winter Wine Festival, with over 45 vintners and chefs also joining the 2026 celebration. 🥂✨

Joining the distinguished lineup for this year’s

Joining the distinguished lineup for this year’s Naples Winter Wine Festival is Carissa Mondavi of Continuum Estate in Saint Helena, California.
Carissa Mondavi is a fourth-generation winegrower at Continuum Estate, involved in communications, marketing, hospitality and sales. Her love for wine began at the family table, inspired by her father’s passion, and was deepened by summer internships in the cellar and vineyards. Inspired daily by the team, the vineyards and the wines themselves, Carissa cherishes the culture of wine and how it brings people together. As her grandfather Robert said, “Interest is not enough, you have to be passionate!” She continues to contribute passionately to her family’s vision and legacy in wine.

Please join us in welcoming sommelier Jacob Brown

Please join us in welcoming sommelier Jacob Brown of Lazy Bear in San Francisco, California.
Jacob Brown began his beverage career as a ski bum bartender in Park City, Utah, where he discovered his passion for wine through the Introductory Sommelier Course. He moved to Austin, Texas, working his way up from dishwasher to beverage director at restaurants including Counter 3.FIVE.VII and the ELM Restaurant Group. Today, Jacob is head sommelier at San Francisco’s acclaimed Lazy Bear, curating beverage pairings for the tasting menu while pursuing his Master Sommelier Diploma. A dedicated wine professional—and lifelong Minnesota Vikings fan—he’s always chasing the perfect pour (and a Super Bowl win).

NWWF26 Celebrity Chef highlights! Today we are fea

NWWF26 Celebrity Chef highlights! Today we are featuring Dean Fearing of Fearing’s Restaurant in Dallas, Texas.
James Beard Award winner Chef Dean Fearing is the culinary icon behind Fearing’s in Dallas, known for his southwestern cuisine and dedication to locally sourced ingredients. A Culinary Institute of America graduate and “Pioneer of American Cuisine,” Dean spent over two decades as executive chef of The Rosewood Mansion before opening Fearing’s in 2007. He’s starred on Dean’s Cuisine, cooked for presidents and celebrities, authored The Texas Food Bible, and off the plate, performs with his all-chef band, The Barbwires.

The incredible lineup of world-renowned vintners i

The incredible lineup of world-renowned vintners includes Aymeric de Gironde of Château Troplong Mondot in Saint-Émilion, France.
Born into a family of winemakers and cognac distillers, Aymeric de Gironde began his journey with Hennessy in New York before joining Krug in France, expanding its presence across Europe and the U.S. In 2006, he took on a new challenge in Bordeaux, overseeing commercial and marketing efforts alongside AXA Millésimes. Six years later, Aymeric was invited by Michel Reybier to lead Château Cos d’Estournel, where he brought his vision of excellence and innovation to one of Saint-Estèphe’s most celebrated estates.
That same pursuit of purpose led him to Château Troplong Mondot, where he now serves as General Manager—honoring its heritage while shaping a new, contemporary chapter.

Please join us in welcoming sommelier Mark Bright

Please join us in welcoming sommelier Mark Bright of Saison Hospitality in San Francisco, California.
Mark Bright discovered his passion for wine at 15 while traveling through Burgundy and the Rhône Valley. His career began as a sommelier in Las Vegas and San Francisco, earning early recognition from Wine & Spirits and Wine Spectator. Today, he is co-founder and beverage director of Saison Hospitality Group, home to Michelin-starred restaurants, a boutique winery and a rare wine brokerage—all built on quality and sustainability.

NWWF26 Celebrity Chef highlights! Today we are fea

NWWF26 Celebrity Chef highlights! Today we are featuring Cassidee Dabney of The Barn at Blackberry Farm in Walland, Tennessee and Joey Edwards of Three Sisters at Blackberry Mountain in Walland, Tennessee.
Cassidee grew up gardening, canning and cooking—always inspired by seasonal ingredients. After training at the New England Culinary Institute and working across the globe with the Four Seasons, she joined Blackberry Farm in 2010, becoming executive chef in 2015. Known for her Foothills Cuisine®, Cassidee has earned national recognition, including multiple James Beard Award nominations.
Joey discovered his love of cooking early, turning creativity into a way to bring people together. After training at Le Cordon Bleu and honing his craft in top kitchens, he joined Blackberry Farm in 2013, later returning as sous chef under Cassidee Dabney. In 2020, Joey transitioned to Blackberry Mountain, where he brings his passion for cooking and foraging to life as executive chef of Three Sisters.

The incredible lineup of world-renowned vintners i

The incredible lineup of world-renowned vintners includes Candice Bernard Cathiard of Château Smith Haut Lafitte in Pessac-Léognan, France and Cathiard Vineyard in Saint Helena, California.
Candice, niece of Florence and Daniel Cathiard, grew up in France watching her family’s passion for winemaking at Château Smith Haut Lafitte. Inspired from an early age, she went on to build a career in hospitality with Marriott hotels across France, Spain and Florida. Now based in Napa Valley, she leads hospitality at Cathiard Vineyard, overseeing direct-to-consumer sales and cultivating lasting relationships with clients and collectors.

Calling all volunteers! Our volunteers are an inva

Calling all volunteers! Our volunteers are an invaluable part of the NWWF’s impact on the children of Collier County, and we thank you for your desire to be a part of the team. 💚 Volunteer applications for the 2026 Festival are now open! Learn more & contact us here: napleswinefestival.com/volunteers

Please join us in welcoming sommelier Pablo Braida

Please join us in welcoming sommelier Pablo Braida, MS of Pret-a-Vin Consulting in Augusta, Georgia.
Pablo Braida, Master Sommelier, grew up in Córdoba, Argentina, before a career in hospitality took him to London and later Napa Valley, where he began his studies with the Court of Master Sommeliers. In 2022, he became the first Argentinian and one of only a handful of South Americans to achieve the prestigious Master Sommelier title. Today, Pablo is VP of customer relations at Estate Wine Brokers in Austin, where he shares his passion for rare and collectible wines.