This year, the Naples Winter Wine Festival is going virtual, with opportunities for both patrons and the public to support the Naples Children & Education Foundation’s mission. In the past 21 years, patrons helped raise more than $212 million for underserved children in Collier County. This year’s event may be different in format, but there are still plenty of opportunities to give by bidding on a mix of wine-soaked experiences, exclusive offers and dreamy trips to nearby and faraway places.
Start early by bidding in the online auction, which is open to the public from Jan. 22 at 8 a.m. to Feb. 2 at 5 p.m. Then, tune in to NWWF's televised fundraiser , streaming on WINK-TV, on Saturday, Jan. 30, from 7 to 8 p.m. to learn more about the organizations who benefit from NCEF, meet local children whose lives are transformed by your generosity and join us and thousands of Southwest Floridians in giving for the kids.
Here are nine of the lots you can bid on starting Friday.
Ring in Dana Estates Helms Vineyards’ 15th anniversary with a 15-bottle vertical of the estate’s cabernet sauvignon shipped to your doorstep. The winner also receives a three-day trip to Napa, including a tour of the property and a chance to hit the greens at nearby courses, Silverado Golf & Country Club and Mayacama Private Course & Country Club. Bid starts at $5,000.
Break bread with the festival’s founders
Founding trustees of the NCEF and the NWWF, Valerie Boyd and Jeff Gargiulo invite up to 12 guests to join them for a private dinner with wines picked directly from their personal cellar and a virtual concert from Grammy Award-winning country star Billy Dean. Starting bid: Bid starts at $5,000.
Compete in the NCEF Golf Fore Kids Pro Am
On April 21, you can spend a day on the Tom Fazio-designed course at The Old Collier Golf Club, playing alongside top pros and TV golf analysts in this 18-hole tournament, hosted by PGA and Champions tour veterans Peter Jacobsen and Bobby Clampett. The NCEF tournament ends with an outdoor dinner accompanied by top-notch wines, donated by NCEF trustees. Ticket holders may invite one guest to dinner. With only 16 spots available, expect this one to sell out fast. $10,000 per ticket.
Book a flight to Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley for a four-day stay at Bricoleur Vineyards. You’ll stay at the estate’s rustic-chic barn, which overlooks the on-site honey farm, rose garden and fragrant olive groves. Bid starts at $2,500.
Get a dose of vitamin sea in the Keys
On this three-day adventure, you’ll fly private from Naples to Key West, where you’ll settle in at The Galleon Resort & Marina, before heading out to shop on Duval Street or explore the historical sites. You’ll also be treated to a day at sea on the Boston Whaler 350 Outrage (perfect for reeling in swordfish, tarpon and other game fish). Bid starts at $5,000.
Marlissa Gardner, of Fifth Avenue’s Emillions Art brokerage firm and showroom, treats aficionados or budding art enthusiasts to a $5,000 gift card to be used for a professional art consultation. In addition to helping select works (from contemporary and master artists, ranging from Banksy to Picasso) to best suit your space, the team can also appraise the value of your new or existing pieces and verify their legitimacy. Bid starts at $1,500.
Bring the whole family along for a private dinner with Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens CEO Jack Mulvena, followed by an after-hours tour of the grounds—complete with night vision goggles (to scope critters you normally wouldn’t see during the day) and close encounters with some of the animals. The lot also includes a one-year membership to the Naples Zoo. Bid starts at $1,000.
Lunch is served alfresco in Naples Botanical Garden’s Caribbean Garden. Winners can wander the 170-acre grounds all year with a complimentary, family-level annual membership. Bid starts at $500.
A truly Southwest Florida experience
All aboard! Bring up to 12 guests on this private tour of Rookery Bay, led by Conservancy of Southwest Florida’s top naturalists. Take in the wildlife as you enjoy wine and cheese pairings on a pontoon and a classic Naples sunset. Bid starts at $500.