winefest
The Naples Winter Wine Festival announced its vintner lineup for the 2015 festival, Jan. 23-25. The exclusive fundraising event pairs chefs and vintners from around the world at a series of wine dinners, then hosts one of the largest charity auctions in the world the next day.
Marchese Piero Antinori, president of Marchesi Antinori in Italy, was selected as the honored vintner. This will be the fifth appearance at the festival for Antinori, whose winery dates back to the 14th century and is credited for pushing Super Tuscan wines to the top of the Italian wine landscape.
In addition to Antinori, the festival will feature wines from 40 other vintners.
“Each participating vintner is a giant in the industry, and we are thrilled that they are volunteering their time and talent to this amazing event,” Sandi Moran, vintner chair and co-chair of the 2015 festival, said in a release. “These renowned vintners, paired with the finest chefs and our country’s most generous philanthropists, will help raise millions of dollars for underprivileged and at-risk children.”
Other vintners include:
Featured Dinner Vintners, who will be featured at the Friday evening dinners hosted by NCEF trustees
- Santiago Achával of Achával-Ferrer in Mendoza, Argentina
- Paul Leary of Blackbird Vineyards in Napa Valley, California
- Deb Whitman & Ed Fitts of BRAND Napa Valley in St. Helena, California
- Nick Allen of Carte Blanche Wines in Napa Valley, California
- Roberta Ceretto of Ceretto in Alba, Italy
- Blakesley & Cyril Chappellet of Chappellet Vineyard in St. Helena, California
- Paul Pontallier of Château Margaux in Margaux, France
- Thomas Duroux of Château Palmer in Margaux, France
- Nicolas Glumineau of Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande in Pauillac, France
- Ann Colgin & Joe Wender of Colgin Cellars in St. Helena, California
- Tim Mondavi & Carissa Mondavi of Continuum in St. Helena, California
- Shahpar & Darioush Khaledi of Darioush in Napa Valley, California
- Claude & Laurent Ponsot of Domaine Ponsot in Morey-Saint-Denis, France
- Grace & Ken Evenstad of Domaine Serene in Dayton, Oregon
- Bill Foley of Foley Johnson in Healdsburg, California
- Valerie Boyd & Jeff Gargiulo of Gargiulo Vineyards in Napa Valley, California
- Dan Kosta of Kosta Browne Winery in Sebastopol, California
- Cinzia Merli of Le Macchiole in Bolgheri, Italy
- Véronique Drouhin-Boss of Maison Joseph Drouhin in Beaune, France
- Manuel Louzada of Numanthia in Valdefinjas, Spain
- Betty O'Shaughnessy & Paul Woolls of O'Shaughnessy Winery in Angwin, California
- Deborah & Bill Harlan and Amanda & Will Harlan of Promontory in Oakville, California
- Merle & Peter Mullin of Ram's Gate Winery in Sonoma, California
- Beth Novak Milliken of Spottswoode Estate Vineyards & Winery in St. Helena, California
- Barbara Banke of Vérité / Tenuta di Arceno in Santa Rosa, California, and Siena, Italy
In addition, Olivier Krug of Krug Champagne will pour champagne during each dinner’s champagne reception and at a Krug tasting and lunch. Dominic Symington of Symington Family Estates will pour his vineyard’s ports, from the Douro region, during the dessert course at each vintner dinner.
Four vintners will pour during the Meet the Kids Day luncheon:
- Bridgit & Stephen Griessel of Betz Family Winery in Woodinville, Washington
- Andrea Farinetti, of Borgogno Wines in Barolo, Italy
- Ann & Dick Grace of Grace Family Vineyards in St. Helena, California
- Juan Mercado of Realm Cellars in St. Helena, California
For the auction day, another nine vintners were chosen to provide wines before and during the event:
- Pam Starr of Crocker & Starr Wines in St. Helena, California
- Todd Newman of Dakota Shy Wine in St. Helena, California
- Mike Farmer & Lucas Farmer of Euclid Wines in Napa Valley, California
- Augustin Huneeus of Flowers Vineyard & Winery in Napa Valley, California
- Carole & Michael Marks of Gemstone Vineyards in St. Helena, California
- Helen Keplinger & DJ Warner of Keplinger in Napa Valley, California
- Melinda Kearney & Michèle Ouellet of LORENZA in St. Helena, California
- Jenny Marie & Rutger de Vink of RdV Vineyards in Delaplane, Virginia
- Gary, Rosella & Adam Franscioni of ROAR Wines in Soledad, California