Naples Winter Wine Festival Raises Over $30 Million for Children’s Charities
Naples, 6 February – The annual Naples Winter Wine Festival (NWWF) has once again solidified its position as the nation’s premier charity wine auction, successfully raising more than $30 million to benefit local children’s causes. The 26th edition of the event, held during the final weekend of January at The Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón, attracted approximately 650 bidders who vied for dozens of lots featuring rare wines, luxury travel, world-class dining, and exclusive celebrity experiences.
This year’s impressive haul elevates the festival’s lifetime total to over $366 million raised since its inception in 2001. All proceeds directly benefit some of the most effective local nonprofits, reaching an estimated 385,000 children across Collier County. The festival previously raised $34 million in 2025 and $33 million in 2024.
“Raising more than $30 million at the 2026 Naples Winter Wine Festival is a powerful testament to what’s possible when an extraordinary community comes together around a shared purpose,” stated Ashley Gerry, 2026 Festival co-chair and auction lot committee member. “The generosity, passion and commitment we witnessed this year will have a lasting impact on children in our community for generations to come.”
Star Power, Dazzling Lots and Significant Contributions
As in previous years, the auction showcased contributions from some of the world’s most acclaimed vintners and chefs. Participating wineries included Darioush, Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte, Bodegas Vega Sicilia, Bodega Catena Zapata, and Biondi Santi, among others. Leading chefs also played a pivotal role, with several hailing from Wine Spectator Restaurant Award-winners. Figures such as Cassidee Dabney of The Barn at Blackberry Farm, Philip Tessier of Press Restaurant, and Nancy Oakes of Boulevard prepared private dinners for attendees on the evening preceding the live auction.
Out of the 51 lots on offer, four garnered winning bids exceeding the million-dollar mark. The highest earner was an exclusive performance by Grammy-nominated Thomas Rhett coupled with a wine-paired dinner, which raised $1.375 million from 55 couples, each contributing $25,000.
Other seven-figure highlights included a dinner for 40 couples (also wine-paired, each contributing $25,000) at Prime Social Reserve in Naples, prepared by chef Dustin Valette of Valette and The Matheson in Healdsburg, Calif. Additionally, a weeklong stay at the Lake Como luxury estate Villa Polli attracted bids of over $250,000 each from four couples. The “Vanquish Velocity: Waves and Wheels” package, valued at $1.1 million, secured a 2026 Aston Martin Vanquish Volante convertible, luxury Miami hotel accommodations, and dinner at Lido Restaurant at The Surf Club for one fortunate bidder.
Advancing Children’s Health and Opportunity
While the high-profile lots of the live auction captured considerable attention, the weekend also featured on-the-spot donations totaling more than $7 million in support of healthcare initiatives from the Naples Children Foundation (NCF). An additional online auction also surpassed the $1 million mark.
In mid-March, the NCF, which maintains partnerships with over 90 local charities spanning healthcare, food assistance, childcare, education, and more, will distribute the proceeds to nonprofit organizations dedicated to supporting children in need throughout Collier County. Next year’s auction is scheduled to take place again at the Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón, from January 29-31.
News of the Naples Winter Wine Festival’s success comes as Wine Spectator announces its 2026 Grand Tour dates and cities, promising hundreds of the world’s most renowned wines to enthusiasts. Furthermore, the wine world has recently mourned the passing of notable figures such as Alsace Winemaker Pierre Trimbach and Daniel Cathiard, co-owner of Bordeaux’s Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte and Napa’s Cathiard Vineyard. These events underscore the dynamic and evolving landscape of the global wine industry.
Source: https://www.winespectator.com/articles/naples-winter-wine-festival-charity-auction-2026
