Board of Directors | Naples Children & Education Foundation

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.
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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.
    About the Festival
- - Explore the Naples Winter Wine Festival
  - - 2026 Vintners
    - 2026 Chefs
    - 2026 Sommeliers
    - 2026 Auction Lots
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    Lisa JulianoSVP, Naples Winter Wine Festival & Event Production
    239-325-2972
    
    Clay ConePR Consultant, Cone Communications
    239-398-9268
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  - - Dec. 092025
      Excitement Builds for the 2026 Naples Winter Wine Festival Live Auction with Unv...
    - Nov. 252025
      Naples Children Foundation Announces 2026 Naples Winter Wine Festival Special Fu...
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Mar. 172017

Robert Heidt, Jr.

Apr. 202023

Bill Beynon

May. 082019

Max Guinn

Apr. 132018

Dale Medford

Apr. 212020

Sue Bieker

Apr. 172025

Kelley Bailey

Apr. 172025

Jamie Brown

Apr. 172025

Jeff Gargiulo

Happy first day of Hanukkah! Wishing you and your

Happy first day of Hanukkah! Wishing you and your loved ones peace, joy and unconditional love during the holidays and always.

NWWF26 Celebrity Chef highlights! Today we are fea

NWWF26 Celebrity Chef highlights! Today we are featuring Michael Reed of Poppy & Seed in Anaheim, California.
Executive chef and owner of Poppy + Rose (DTLA) and Poppy & Seed (Anaheim), Michael Reed is known for his innovative California cuisine and seasonal, locally sourced menus. A Culinary Institute of America graduate, he’s earned Michelin recognition, a James Beard semi-finalist nod and acclaim for Poppy + Rose as one of LA’s best brunch spots. Chef Reed also appears on Food Network and is currently curating his cookbook, Root of All Food, while championing local farmers and sustainable dining.

Naples Winter Wine Festival Live Auction Highlight

Naples Winter Wine Festival Live Auction Highlight: Miami Grand Prix: Fast Cars and Napa Classics. Two couples will enjoy a VIP Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix experience from May 1–4, 2026, including three nights at the five-star Nobu Hotel Miami Beach and four passes to The 72 Club with prime views, concierge access and premium food and beverages. Personalized trip planning will be provided by Parea Travel. The winning couples will also take home an exceptional collection of Napa Valley wines, featuring large-format bottles from Heitz Cellar, Burgess, Ink Grade and Stony Hill.

Please join us in welcoming sommelier Ian Cauble,

Please join us in welcoming sommelier Ian Cauble, MS of theCaubleist.com in Napa, California. One of just 279 Master Sommeliers worldwide, Ian gained international recognition in the documentary SOMM. A Sonoma State graduate, he has traveled the globe pursuing exceptional wine. Based in Napa Valley with his family, Ian leads innovative wine ventures including Method, Frantzén & Cauble and The Caubleist, a platform for sustainably produced, small-batch wines.

Joining the distinguished Vintner lineup for this

Joining the distinguished Vintner lineup for this year’s Festival is Deborah Harlan, Amanda Harlan and David Cilli of Promontory in Saint Helena, California.�Deborah’s lifelong passion for the arts began in California, eventually leading to a career in modeling and commercial acting in New York. Deborah now represents the Harlan family’s winegrowing domain around the world, sharing their 200-year vision and building global relationships.�Napa Valley–born and deeply involved in the region’s culture and philanthropy, Amanda now serves as family director for the Harlan properties, shaping their future while remaining active on several nonprofit boards.�Raised in Tuscany and trained across four continents, David became Promontory’s winemaker in 2017. He is dedicated to expressing the estate’s unique terroir and enjoys cooking and cycling in Napa Valley.

Naples Winter Wine Festival Live Auction Highlight

Naples Winter Wine Festival Live Auction Highlight: Gargiulo: A Journey Through Culinary Italy.
Two couples will join Gargiulo Vineyards Proprietors Valerie Boyd and Jeff Gargiulo, along with Chef Angelo Auriana, for a six-night food and wine adventure through Italy. The experience begins with a private planning dinner in Naples, Florida, before heading to Bologna for four nights in a luxury hotel with curated culinary tours, market visits, tastings with local chefs and exclusive visits to Prosciutto di Parma, Parmigiano Reggiano and Balsamic Vinegar producers—with lunch and dinner included daily.
The journey continues with two nights in Bergamo, featuring a private city tour with Chef Auriana and regional dining each day. The package includes roundtrip business-class airfare and a collection of rare, etched 3L bottles from Gargiulo Vineyards.

Please join us in welcoming sommelier Max Kast, MS

Please join us in welcoming sommelier Max Kast, MS of BOND in Oakville, California.
Max discovered his passion for wine while studying history at the University of Montana, leading to over twenty years in the industry. He refined his skills as wine director at two Relais & Châteaux properties, including Triple Creek Ranch and The Fearrington House, helping the latter earn Forbes Five Star status and Three Stars from The World of Fine Wine.
After transitioning to wine import education with Broadbent Selections, Max earned the prestigious Master Sommelier title in 2018 — a distinction held by fewer than 300 people worldwide. Today, as director of BOND Winery in Napa Valley, he represents the exceptional wines of the Harlan family on a global stage.

Joining the distinguished Vintner lineup for this

Joining the distinguished Vintner lineup for this year’s Festival is Marilisa Allegrini of Marilisa Allegrini in Verona, Italy.
Meet Marilisa Allegrini, president of Allegrini and a renowned leader in Italian wine, widely recognized as Lady Amarone. Since entering the industry in 1983, she has guided the growth of the Allegrini portfolio with notable expansions in Bolgheri and Montalcino. Marilisa realized a lifelong dream with the acquisition of the historic Villa Della Torre. She was the first Italian woman to appear solo on the cover of Wine Spectator and has served on several distinguished boards within Italy’s wine and cultural institutions.

We are proud to announce the 2026 Naples Winter Wi

We are proud to announce the 2026 Naples Winter Wine Festival’s Fund a Need: “The Picture of Health.” 💛
This year’s initiative shines a spotlight on children’s healthcare, addressing critical gaps in access to mental health, oral health, vision and primary care. Every dollar raised through this special live auction lot will support NCF’s comprehensive approach to opening the door to quality care at an early age, ensuring every child has the chance to grow, learn and thrive.
With the generosity of our patrons, barriers are removed and our community’s children can truly become “The Picture of Health.”
Click the link in our bio to read the Press Release.

The Naples Winter Wine Festival is only two months

The Naples Winter Wine Festival is only two months away! The NWWF returns to The Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón for its 26th anniversary on January 30, 2026 through February 1, 2026. We look forward to another successful celebration in 2026 with an exhilarating live auction in support of our mission to create lasting change by investing in proven programs that transform the lives of vulnerable children in our community.

Naples Winter Wine Festival Live Auction Highlight

Naples Winter Wine Festival Live Auction Highlight: Stars, Cinema & Chopard Splendor.
One winning couple will receive the Red Carpet treatment for four days at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival in May 2026. The trip begins with Roundtrip, Business Class Airfare from the United States to Nice, France where guests will enjoy three nights’ accommodations in a King Room at the iconic Five-star Hôtel Martinez. VIP experiences include a walk down the red carpet of the Palais des Festivals for a major film premiere; two reserved seats to attend the glamorous Chopard Party with stars and celebrities; one dinner at a Five-star restaurant, hosted by a Chopard representative; and access to the legendary Chopard Rooftop at Hôtel Martinez, plus breakfast, lunch and unlimited Champagne. Guests also will enjoy a private viewing of Chopard’s newest High Jewelry creations from the maison’s Red Carpet Collection 2026 and will receive a $25,000 credit toward a high jewelry purchase.

Wishing everyone a warm and joyful Thanksgiving. W

Wishing everyone a warm and joyful Thanksgiving. We are beyond grateful for our community. 🧡