The hot ticket that is the Naples Winter Wine Festival got hotter several years back when organizers introduced the Vintage Cellar event. For serious wine lovers (really serious, as the tickets sell for $2,500 per pop), it gives them the chance to indulge in an educational vertical tasting each year that is separate from the festival and features wines from the world’s most coveted estates.
The next one, to take place on Jan. 25, 2018, will feature pours from the historic Opus One Winery. Launched 40 years ago to much fanfare, it heralded the collaboration between Napa Valley legend Robert Mondavi and Baron Philippe de Rothschild, whose family had been producing the world’s most coveted Bordeaux wines for centuries with Château Mouton Rothschild.
The tasting and accompanying luncheon will be held at Bleu Provence, and Opus One CEO David Pearson (below right) will lead it with renowned wine critic Antonio Galloni (below left), a Robert Parker protégé and founder of Vinous. The session that will feature the 1980, 1994, 1996, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 vintages of the ultra-premium Bordeaux-style blend made predominantly from Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (the label has only one wine released per year), and both Pearson and Galloni will guide guests through the tasting. Four other wines will be poured during lunch, including 2005 and 2009 Opus One.
Tickets are limited; to reserve a seat, call (239) 514-2239.
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