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
    - 2026 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
  - - Jan. 132026
      List of Unique, One-of-a-Kind Wine, Food and Travel Experiences Continues to Gro...
    - Jan. 062026
      Naples Winter Wine Festival Online Auction Returns for 12th Consecutive Year, Fe...
    more updates
- Close
Donate

News Releases

make a donation

Mar. 052008

NAPLES WINTER WINE FESTIVAL PROCEEDS OF $17.3 MILLION AWARDED TO CHILDREN’S CHARITIES

Dec. 282007

GRANTS OF $10.8 MILLION AWARDED FOR IMMOKALEE CHILDREN’S INITIATIVES BY THE NAPLES CHILDREN AND EDUCATION FOUNDATION

Dec. 262007

AUCTION LOTS FULFILL FONDEST PASSIONS AT 2008 NAPLES WINTER WINE FESTIVAL

Dec. 172007

THREE VERY SPECIAL AUTOMOBILES TO SET HEARTS RACING

Sep. 072007

WORLD’S MOST ESTEEMED VINTNERS SAY “YES” TO LEADING CHARITY WINE FESTIVAL

Aug. 242007

SEVENTEEN NATIONALLY ACCLAIMED CHEFS TO CREATE THE ULTIMATE WINE-AND-DINE EXPERIENCE

Jul. 262007

WORLD’S LEADING CHARITY WINE AUCTION ADDS HOLLYWOOD GLAMOUR TO FANTASY AUCTION LOTS

May. 022007

WORLD’S LEADING CHARITY WINE FESTIVAL TO BE HELD JAN. 25 – 27 IN NAPLES, FLA.

The collection of one-of-a-kind wine, food, and tr

The collection of one-of-a-kind wine, food, and travel experiences for the 2026 Naples Winter Wine Festival Live Auction continues to grow! From an immersive journey through Italy and indulgent stays in Paris and Bordeaux, to an epic European voyage aboard The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection and unforgettable moments with legendary vintners and icons, the excitement is building. This year’s live auction promises to be nothing short of spectacular.
Click the link in our bio to read the Perss Release.

Naples Winter Wine Festival Live Auction Highlight

Naples Winter Wine Festival Live Auction Highlight: Luxury and Wildlife on the African Savannahs. Two couples will enjoy a nine-night luxury African journey with Belmond, beginning with roundtrip Business Class airfare from the U.S. to Cape Town for three nights in Junior Suites at Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel, Cape Town, with curated dining and private experiences. The journey continues with highest-class airfare to Botswana for three nights in Luxury Tented Rooms at Eagle Island Lodge, A Belmond Safari, followed by three nights in Luxury Tented Rooms at Savute Elephant Lodge, A Belmond Safari, featuring immersive safari activities, a private helicopter pop-up dinner, and all-inclusive meals and beverages.

Excitement is continuing to build! The Naples Wint

Excitement is continuing to build! The Naples Winter Wine Festival is two weeks away! With the theme “Picture This,” the Naples Winter Wine Festival returns to The Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón for its 26th anniversary on January 30, 2026 through February 1, 2026, showcasing the very best wines, exquisite cuisine and impressive auction lots, all to benefit the most vulnerable children in Collier County.

Please join us in welcoming Sommelier Derek Steven

Please join us in welcoming Sommelier Derek Stevenson of Four Seasons Napa Valley in Calistoga, California.
Originally from New Holstein, WI, Stevenson began his career at 14, trained at the Culinary Institute of America, and shifted his focus to wine early on. By 23, he became a Certified Sommelier and is currently pursuing a WSET Diploma. His career highlights include helping Ever Restaurant earn Two Michelin Stars and fulfilling his goal of becoming a fine-dining sommelier at 19. Stevenson now oversees the wine program at Auro at Four Seasons Resort Napa Valley, where he has expanded the list to 475 labels and over 2,000 bottles.

Thank you to Bentley Naples for being a proud supp

Thank you to Bentley Naples for being a proud supporter of the Naples Winter Wine Festival and the sponsor of the Lot Room. It’s ALL for the Kids!

We are pleased to announce that our popular online

We are pleased to announce that our popular online auction will return for a 12th consecutive year, allowing supporters from across Southwest Florida and beyond to bid on over 100 extraordinary lots. This year’s offerings include exceptional wine experiences and rare collectible bottles, over-the-top dinners with acclaimed chefs, exclusive travel experiences, custom art, golf outings, and more—including highlights like A Legacy of Terroir: ADAMVS and Château Fonplégade with Denise Adams, Art Basel, Marissa Collections Palm Beach Girls Getaway, and Bentley Naples + Butcher Private: An Evening of Rare Access.
Everyone is invited to take part in the excitement of the 2026 Naples Winter Wine Festival by bidding high and bidding often in the online auction. To do so, please visit nwwfonlineauction.com between Friday, January 23 at 8:00 a.m. (EST) through Tuesday, February 3 at 5:00 p.m. (EST).

The second installment of Rob Giardinelli’s Fun

The second installment of Rob Giardinelli’s Fun in Fundraising podcast is now out! This episode features a trio of guests—Bill Beynon and Ashley Gerry, co-chairs of the Naples Winter Wine Festival, along with founding member Valerie Gargiulo. As part of this special three-part series, Episode Two goes behind the scenes of the Festival to explore what it takes to create one-of-a-kind live auction packages that engage audiences and raise millions.
👉 Listen now: link in bio!

Please join us in welcoming Sommelier Cedric Nicai

Please join us in welcoming Sommelier Cedric Nicaise of The Noortwyck in New York, New York.
After leading several restaurants in Ithaca, New York, Cedric Nicaise pivoted to wine at Charlie Palmer’s Aureole, then rose to wine director and director of operations at Eleven Madison Park during its era of major accolades, including earning Three Michelin Stars, ranking #1 on “World’s 50 Best Restaurants,” winning the James Beard Award for “Outstanding Service” in 2016. In 2022, he co-opened The Noortwyck with Chef Andy Quinn, crafting a dynamic wine list that complements Quinn’s New American, New York–driven cuisine. Cedric’s passions—Burgundy, Northern Rhône and Champagne—shine through the program, including an ongoing series of intimate wine dinners with curated, expert-led pairings.

Winter Wine Festival Live Auction Highlight: Eight

Winter Wine Festival Live Auction Highlight: Eight Knights on a Grand Greek Odyssey.
Four couples will embark on an eight-night private yacht voyage through the Greek Islands, courtesy of Knights Bridge Winery, sailing July 10–18 or July 18–26, 2026. The experience includes one night at a luxury hotel in Corfu or Zakynthos and seven nights aboard the 164’ ORIY yacht, featuring six staterooms, a Jacuzzi, gym, sauna, water toys, and a 12-person crew. Guests will enjoy a curated itinerary of iconic destinations, all meals prepared by a private chef, private air or business-class travel from New York or Boston.
The couples also will share a collection of fine 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.

Today we are featuring #NWWF Vinter Pablo Álvarez

Today we are featuring #NWWF Vinter Pablo Álvarez Mezquíriz of Vega Sicilia in Valladolid, Spain.
Pablo Álvarez Mezquíriz is CEO of TEMPOS Vega Sicilia and, alongside his siblings, owner of the family’s equity company, El Enebro. He also serves as chair of Europvin, representing Europe’s leading wine portfolios. Trained in law and corporate legal counsel, he was appointed general manager of Bodegas Vega Sicilia in 1986 and became CEO in 1990. Over three decades, Álvarez has transformed Vega Sicilia into a globally renowned wine group, expanding its portfolio with wineries in Ribera del Duero, Toro, Rioja, Tokaj and Rías Baixas. A noted perfectionist, he often says, “The best wine is yet to be made.”

We’re excited to share that Lisa Juliano, SVP, N

We’re excited to share that Lisa Juliano, SVP, Naples Winter Wine Festival & Event Production, was recently featured on Rob Giardinelli’s Fun in Fundraising podcast as part of a special three-part series. 🎙️ Episode One takes listeners behind the scenes of one of the nation’s most successful fundraising events, exploring what it takes to create a truly world-class, multi-day gala experience.
👉 Listen now: link in bio!

Please join us in welcoming Sommelier George Milio

Please join us in welcoming Sommelier George Miliotes, MS of Wine Bar George in Orlando, Florida.
As one of only about 279 Master Sommeliers worldwide, George Miliotes is a dedicated wine educator who continually deepens his expertise through study, tasting and travel. Inspired by his family’s specialty market and café in Orlando, he rose to become general manager of California Grill at Walt Disney World Resort, where he created an award-winning wine list and one of the first in the U.S. to offer 100 wines by the glass. George earned his Master Sommelier title in 2007 and later led wine programs for Darden, including The Capital Grille and Eddie V’s, and helped found Seasons 52. He went on to open Wine Bar George at Disney Springs, Florida’s only wine bar led by a Master Sommelier, known for its adventurous, cuisine-driven by-the-glass selections.