SALUT 2023

SALUT!

THE PUBLICATION OF THE NAPLES WINTER WINE FESTIVAL

Images; Château Mouton Rothschild images by Mathieu Anglada

Board of Directors

Valerie Boyd

Chairman of the Board

Rick Germain Vice Chair of the Board

Dale Medford

Treasurer

Paul Hills

Immediate Past Chair

Harry Rose

Grant Committee Chair

Bill Beynon Festival Chair

Debbi Cary Board Member

Brian Cobb Board Member

Robert Heidt, Jr. Board Member

David Hoffmann Board Member Rick Kash Board Member

Julia Van Domelen Board Member

Trustees of the Naples Children & Education Foundation

Past Festival Chairs

2001 – Jeff Gargiulo

2002 – Brian Cobb

2003 – Tom Wajnert

2004 – Shirlene Elkins

2005 – Scott Lutgert

2006 – Grace Evenstad

2007 – Linda Richards Malone and Jim Malone+

2008 – Don Gunther

2009 – Connie & Tom Galloway

2010 – Kathleen & Francis Rooney

2011 – Cynthia & Bruce Sherman

2012 – Joan & Bob Clifford

2013 – Terry & Bob Edwards

2014 – Linda Richards Malone, Anne Welsh McNulty and Adria Starkey

2015 – Sharon & Chuck Hallberg and Sandi & Tom Moran

2016 – Laura & Jim Dixon and Sandi & Tom Moran

2017 – Debbi & Bill Cary, Denise & Brian Cobb, Valerie Boyd & Jeff Gargiulo and Simone & Scott Lutgert

2018 – Becky & Lewie Card, Susie & David+ McCurry and Kathy & Dan Mezzalingua

2019 – Jeannelle & Brian Brady and Linda & Tom Koehn

2020 – Barbie & Paul Hills, Nancy & Joe Masterson and Shirley & Peter Welsh

2021 – The Trustees of the Naples Children & Education Foundation

2022 – Nena & Bill Beynon, Debbi & Bill Cary, Denise & Brian Cobb, Shirlene Elkins, Valerie Boyd & Jeff Gargiulo, Libby & Rick Germain, Julia & Robert Heidt, Jr., Barbie & Paul Hills, Scott Lutgert and Shirley & Peter Welsh

Trustees

Kelley & Jim Bailey

Nena & Bill Beynon

Jamie & John Brown

Becky & Lewie Card

Debbi & Bill Cary

Laura & Jim Dixon

Jody & Paul Fleming

Valerie Boyd & Jeff Gargiulo

Susan & Gary Garrabrant

Libby & Rick Germain

Jacki & Max Guinn

Sharon & Chuck Hallberg

Julia & Robert Heidt, Jr.

Linda & Herb Henkel

Barbie & Paul Hills

Jerri & David Hoffmann

Katrina & Rick Kash

Linda & Tom Koehn

Nancy & Ted Koenig

Sherie Marek

Nancy & Joe Masterson

Anne Welsh McNulty

Karen & Dale Medford

Kathy & Dan Mezzalingua

Amy & John Quinn

Carol & Harry Rose

Marilyn Scripps

Susan Stielow

Julia Van Domelen

Carol & John Walter

Joy & Chuck Waterman

Shirley & Peter Welsh

Beth & Jeff Wessel

Kristine & Chris Williams

Sissy & Bill Wilson

Lifetime Trustees

Jean Ackerman (2003-2013)

Usha & Monte Ahuja (2010-2020)

Patricia Aluisi (2000-2015)

Penny & Lee Anderson (2002-2012)

Larry Andrews (2002-2012)

Ann Bain (2003-2014)

Barbara & Ron Balser (2007-2018)

Jeannelle & Brian Brady (2011-2021)

Joan & Bob Clifford (2007-2018)

Mary Susan & J.D. Clinton (2000-2012)

Denise & Brian Cobb (2000-2013)

Arlene & Michael+ D’Alessandro (2000-2011)

Terry & Robert Edwards (2010-2022)

Shirlene & Bob+ Elkins (2000-2012)

Grace & Ken+ Evenstad (2002-2014)

Sanrda & Jim Figge (2000-2009)

Martha & Jim+ Fligg (2007-2018)

Connie & Tom Galloway (2000-2011)

Pat+ & Dave Gibbons (2010–2020)

Mosey+ & Don Gunther (2002-2012)

Mary Pat & Frank+ Hussey (2000-2011)

Barbara & John Jordan (2007-2017)

Carol & Tom Lund (2000-2012)

Simone & Scott Lutgert (2000-2012)

Jim Malone+ (2000-2012)

Linda Richards Malone (2000-2012)

Susie & David+ McCurry (2009-2022)

Fran & Jim McGlothlin (2003-2015)

Sandi & Tom Moran (2010-2020)

Judith Liegeois & John Scot Mueller (2004-2014)

Joyce & Bill O’Meara (2000-2005)

Kathleen & Francis Rooney (2004-2014)

Ned Sachs (2000-2009)

Karen & Bob Scott (2006-2017)

Cynthia & Bruce Sherman (2003-2015)

Retta & Elliott Singer (2000-2012)

Angela & Don Smith (2011-2021)

Donna Solimene (2002-2015)

Adria & Jerry Starkey (2006-2016)

Elizabeth & Clarke Swanson, Jr. (2000-2008)

Therésa & Tom Wajnert (2000-2009)

Dottie & Bryant+ Yunker, Sr. (2000-2005)

Honorary Trustees

Humphrey Butler

Ann Colgin

Michael DeGroote, Sr. Bob Dickinson

Ron Kuhn+

Teri Franklin Kuhn

Joan & Bill Martin

Bruce Nichols

Rosann & Bill+ Nunnelly

Stephanie & Fred Pezeshkan

Judy & Jerry Sheindlin

Ed Staros

Shelly & Ralph Stayer John Vega Shelley & Ralph Stayer John Vega

Maria Jimenez-Lara CEO + Deceased

Naples Winter Wine Festival

2590 Goodlette-Frank Road North Naples, FL 34103 (239) 514-2239 / (888) 837-4919 napleswinefestival.com

Greetings From The Naples Children & Education Foundation

For the past 23 years, the Naples Winter Wine Festival (NWWF) has been making dreams come true for underserved and at-risk children in Collier County. In support of the Naples Children & Education Foundation (NCEF), the event has raised nearly $244 million; more than 50 nonprofit organizations have received grants to provide more than 300,000 children with vital programs, including child advocacy, vision and dental care, nutrition, early learning programs, mental health screenings and outof-school services. Throughout the difficulties of the COVID-19 pandemic, the unparalleled generosity of our trustees and donors made a better future possible for the next generation.

Every year is a new beginning, and the 2023 festival will be held at The Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón

from February 3-5. We’re thrilled to have assembled a dynamic team of festival co-chairs: Trustees Nena and Bill Beynon, Libby and Rick Germain, and Julia and Robert Heidt, Jr., are spearheading the effort to make the 23rd celebration of the festival an event to remember. Uniting under the theme of “In Perfect Harmony,” an amazing collection of world-class vintners, celebrity chefs and featured sommeliers collaborate on an unforgettable event that will enhance the lives of our most in-need children. None of this would be possible without the donors who generously provide our unique auction lots.

The format of this year’s event will be familiar to returning attendees, beginning with events, such as The Vintage Cellar and Meet the Kids Day. Friday night’s

Vintner Dinners showcases the art of our visiting chefs, paired with wines from renowned vintners. Everything culminates on Saturday with the famed auction under the tent, where a spectacular array of wines, lifestyle and travel experiences are offered to the highest bidders.

While hard work and sacrifice from many people are necessary to make this event possible, we’re aware that the most important element is you. Over the past 23 years, the care and concern from our community have been inspirational. Without the support of our bidders, lot donors and trustees, we never could have done as much for the disadvantaged children of Collier County. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts and look forward to coming together with you “In Perfect Harmony.”

Maria Jimenez-Lara NCEF Chief Executive Officer Valerie Boyd NCEF Chairman of the Board

Dynamic Duos

The 23rd annual Naples Winter Wine Festival comes together under the leadership of three NCEF trustee couples co-chairing the event.

NENA & BILL BEYNON

Full-time Naples residents for nearly 25 years, Nena and Bill are committed to helping children. They also give their time, treasure and talent to education, hunger, cancer research and initiatives for military veterans. Both have served as mentors for the Champions for Learning Foundation, which helps students with collegeand career readiness. Bill—the co-founder of Capital Wealth Advisors and president and CEO of The Marc Bulger Foundation (which aids military personnel and children battling chronic illnesses)—and Nena, a former school teacher for 23 years, are key members of Vanderbilt Presbyterian Church.

LIBBY & RICK GERMAIN

As the owner of the Germain Automotive Partnership, Rick has more than 40 years of experience in the auto industry. He serves on the boards for Nationwide Children’s Hospital and Recreation Unlimited, a camp for children and young adults with developmental and physical disabilities. Libby, a proud alumna of The Ohio State University, sits on the foundation board for the school and Ohio State’s Comprehensive Cancer Center (she’s also long co-chaired their cancer research gala). The two are integral members of Trinity United Methodist, where they founded the Crossroads Contemporary worship service, serve on multiple boards and direct the youth musicals.

JULIA & ROBERT HEIDT, JR.

Originally from Cincinnati, Julia and Robert are avid donors through the Heidt Family Foundation, which supports initiatives related to education, women’s issues and environmental research, among other causes. Julia, a descendant of the legendary Scripps media family, serves on the board of trustees for the Scripps Family Office, and she and Robert support the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego. Robert is CEO of Wellington Orthopedic and Sports Medicine, where he has practiced as a physician for 40 years (he also served as the team physician for the Cincinnati Bengals for nearly three decades—a role previously held by his father). The couple has a big heart for children. In 2016, they initiated a challenge grant to open the Heidt Hope House, which provides shelter for Boys Hope Girls Hope Cincinnati children. More recently, the couple led the creation of the Heidt Family Champions Center at Xavier University, a onestop spot for sports training.

Generosity in Action

Once the Naples Winter Wine Festival toasts the auction winners, the Naples Children & Education Foundation gets to work, building partnerships, distributing annual grants and funding seven initiatives to better the lives of Collier County kids. This year, physical, oral, vision and mental health care take centerstage.

The Cause — About NCEF — By Justin Paprocki — Photography by Brian Tietz

The Naples Winter Wine Festival has raised almost $244 million since 2001, including a record-breaking nearly $22 million last year. After festgoers put down their paddles, a big question remains. As Naples Children & Education Foundation CEO Maria JimenezLara often asks: “How will the funds raised make the crucial difference for child wellbeing and have a profound impact on their lives?”

Three comprehensive community assessments, released in 2005, 2010 and 2017, help guide the foundation’s giving. (A new study will be released this year.) Commissioned to determine where gaps exist in essential services for Collier County kids, the surveys led to the creation of seven strategic initiatives to which NCEF has donated nearly $80 million. Four are specifically focused on children’s physical and mental wellbeing: oral health, healthcare, mental health and vision.

Children are the beating heart of NCEF, and this year’s Fund a Need focuses on improving physical and mental wellbeing for Collier County kids.

Partnerships with dozens of nonprofits are also essential to determining where there’s the most pressing need. NCEF works with organizations to not only create solutions but also maximize the efficacy of every dollar. In bringing nonprofits to the table, NCEF has a unique ability to foster relationships that build on organizations’ strengths, while decreasing competition and reducing overlapping services.

The work can be challenging, but it’s what’s necessary to make sure the needs of Collier’s children are being met. “It can be a complex process,” Jimenez-Lara says. “But it solves so many problems.”

NCEF works with groups like Healthcare Network and the NCEF Pediatric Dental Center to ensure equitable access to care.

Oral Health

Almost every day, dentists at the NCEF Pediatric Dental Center see children with tooth decay so advanced the child has difficulty eating or speaking. Some of those children have never had a toothbrush. It can be a long journey back to painfree teeth, but NCEF’s support makes it possible. “Now, they are not afraid to smile,” clinical director Lauren Governale says.

The 20,000-square-foot facility was the first major success story for NCEF. The center opened in 2008 in response to an NCEF study that found close to two-thirds of local third graders had tooth decay; it has seen more than 176,000 patient visits

Lauren Governale leads the NCEF Pediatric Dental Center, which provides oral care at its 20,000-square-foot clinic, through mobile services and in the classroom.

In 2008, an NCEF study found that close to two-thirds of Collier County third-graders had tooth decay. The NCEF Pediatric Dental Center arose as a solution, partnering with University of Florida College of Dentistry for the physicians, Florida SouthWestern State College for the location and Healthcare Network to fill gaps in care.

since opening. It’s also a testament to the power of multi-organizational collaboration. NCEF funds the program, the University of Florida College of Dentistry pediatric residency program provides the care, Florida SouthWestern State College houses the center on its Naples campus, and Physicians Regional Healthcare System extends the use of its facilities for procedures that require sedation.

Recently, the center has focused on accommodating patients with special needs. Keeping kids calm at the dentist can be challenging—even more so for those with sensitivity to external stimulation. A new sensory room allows patients to enter through a separate door into a quiet space and slowly transition to the dental chair. “The goal is to get them comfortable in a dental environment,” Governale says.

The program has also expanded to include community outreach, educating children and families about the importance of preventative care. Mobile dental units visit schools to provide screenings and care, like sealants to prevent cavities, and bilingual-education specialists promote dental health in the classroom. “We go to them and that’s a big deal because the drive can be so long from parts of the county,” says Olga Ensz, a clinical assistant professor at the center. “It can be the difference between getting care or not.”

Recently, the clinic added a sensory room for children with special needs. Now, kids can enter through a quiet, calming space to ease them into getting care. Pictured: Susan Gorman, clinical program director for the UF College of Dentistry.

Healthcare

About half of the children in Collier County receive care at Healthcare Network. In 2021, the 46-year-old network saw about 147,000 patients across its 11 locations, including treating nearly 27,000 children and delivering around 1,100 babies. Some patients have insurance coverage, but the organization typically sees a $13 million gap in uncompensated care. That’s where community partners like NCEF come in. “We’d have to cut services if our partners weren’t able to help,” says CEO Jamie Ulmer. By building community partnerships, NCEF has helped close the gap in medical coverage over the last 15 years. At the Isabel Collier Read Medical Campus in Immokalee, which receives funding from NCEF, medical students from Florida State University College of Medicine work alongside Healthcare Network physicians to provide affordable pediatric and wom-

Healthcare Network CEO Jamie Ulmer says NCEF helps cover the roughly $13 million in medical care the medical center provides to uninsured children and families.

In 2020, with help from NCEF funding, Healthcare Network opened a 51,000-square-foot facility in Golden Gate, where they offer medical, dental and behavioral services under one roof.

en’s healthcare. Reaching patients is also part of the objective, and Healthcare Network is working to expand its Ronald McDonald mobile unit to Everglades City and other underserved communities.

In 2020, NCEF was instrumental in another important expansion: the opening of the Nichols Community Health Center in Golden Gate. With nearly 40 percent of residents working low-paying service and sales jobs, the community was one of the most underserved in the county. Healthcare Network operated a pediatric clinic in the area, but the state-ofthe-art, 51,000-square-foot facility brought medical, dental and behavioral care under one roof. The centralized location also makes referrals among different departments easier if, for example, a doctor notices signs of a potential behavioral issue during a routine check-up. It’s excellent care, Ulmer says, but it couldn’t be done alone: “Without NCEF, we would not be able to do this.”

At Healthcare Network’s 11 clinics, Florida State University College of Medicine students work alongside local physicians to provide pediatric and women’s healthcare to nearly 150,000 patients a year.

Mental Health

Rates of depression and anxiety among children and adolescents were rising before 2020. Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, high schoolers reporting intense feelings of hopelessness and sadness increased 40 percent over the last decade—and the pandemic only made the mental health crisis worse. “They’ve lived through a dramatic change,” says Scott Burgess, CEO of David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health, a nonprofit treatment center for mental health and substance abuse. “It’s taking a toll on them.”

David Lawrence Centers saw a 19 percent increase in overall services during 2021’s fiscal year compared to the previous year. It also saw a 56 percent increase in admissions to its crisis stabilization unit for children who need immediate care for conditions ranging from psychotic breaks to suicidal thoughts. With NCEF’s help, the center increased the unit’s bed capacity to meet the need.

One of the biggest threats to children’s wellbeing is declining mental health—an issue Scott Burgess and his team at David Lawrence Centers are working hard to combat.

Throughout the years, the foundation has also supported other DLC services, like the partial hospitalization program for teens who struggle with day-to-day life due to psychological symptoms, like severe depression. The program often helps kids from the crisis stabilization unit transition to outpatient treatment, providing extra care during the day before they return home for the night.

Since the pandemic, NCEF has helped

Lawrence Centers meet the more than 50 percent increase in need for pediatric mental health services.

Burgess points to the Beautiful Minds program as one of the biggest achievements for mental health in Southwest Florida. NCEF helped unite David Lawrence Centers, Golisano Children’s Hospital, National Alliance on Mental Health Illness Collier County, Healthcare Network and Florida State University College of Medicine’s Immokalee Health Education Site to provide integrated mental health coverage for lower-income students. The organizations work together to coordinate services and avoid redundancy, addressing how they can best assist each other.

Bringing providers together is NCEF’s strength, Burgess says. “They really dive in head-first on these tough issues,” he says. “I can’t imagine what our community would be without them.”

David

Vision

Not many people greet their ophthalmologist with a big smile and a hug—but it’s a normal occurrence for Dr. Bailey Peterson at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. For Peterson, who treats children through NCEF’s Vision Initiative program, the best part of the job is watching kids’ reactions when they get their first pair of eyeglasses and can finally see their parents clearly. “A pair of glasses can make a huge difference in their lives,” she says. “They’re so appreciative.”

Kids who need glasses may also struggle in school, as vision impairment hinders their ability to read and see the front of the classroom. In 2017, NCEF’s comprehensive assessment found that as many as 85 percent of children from low-income families with academic or behavioral difficulties may also have had undiagnosed vision issues. Students in Collier County receive vision screenings at school, but exams are not administered annually, and many students lack adequate vision care. Through NCEF’s Vision Initiative,

Dr. Bailey Peterson, at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, treats children through NCEF’s Vision Initiative, which screens around 15,000 students at low-income schools a year and provides glasses to about 2,500 kids annually.

about 15,000 children at low-income schools are screened each year for vision impairments, with around 2,500 annually receiving two pairs of glasses—one for school and one for home. If a student needs vision correction beyond what glasses can provide, Bascom Palmer and Florida Lions Eye Clinic provide additional ophthalmology services. (A new Bascom Palmer Vision Van will also bring mobile eye care to schools.)

Peterson mostly sees kids in elementary and middle school, but Bascom Palmer recently expanded to treat high schoolers, too. While the majority of cases can be resolved with glasses, she’ll sometimes uncover more serious issues. After a patient came in with optic nerve inflammation (a potential early indicator of multiple sclerosis), a referral led to further genetic testing for autoimmune and demyelinating diseases. Because the condition was caught early, the onset of symptoms could be slowed with effective treatment. A case like that is rare, Peterson says, but shows the benefit of routine care: “It can completely change lives.”

Soon, the Bascom Palmer Vision Van will bring mobile eye care to schools to help decrease barriers in access to care.

NWWF Schedule 2023

Here’s the play-by-play for the weekend of fine wining and Michelin-star dining.

The Vintage Cellar–Pre-Festival Tasting and Luncheon

Thursday, February 2

This pre-festival tasting and luncheon—hosted by Philippe Sereys de Rothschild, co-owner of Château Mouton Rothschild and Chairman and CEO of Baron Philippe de Rothschild SA, with head winemaker Jean-Emmanuel Danjoy—is moderated by renowned wine critic Jeb Dunnuck. The private event* kicks off the festivities of savoring the world’s finest wines. *Separate ticketed event. Tasting from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.; luncheon from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.; at Bleu Provence in Naples; resort-casual attire.

A Look into the Lot Room

Friday, February 3 and Saturday, February 4

Feel the energy buzzing in the lot room at The RitzCarlton Naples, Tiburón, where bidders can preview the curated auction lots and meet many of the generous donors behind the auction. This is the time to check out the lavish, sought-after experiences and exceptional wine lots, decide which items you simply can’t live without, and discuss bidding strategies with friends. From 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Friday and 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday; at The Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón, Ballrooms 3 & 4; casual attire.

Courtesy Images; Château Mouton Rothschild images by Mathieu Anglada

Vintage Cellar

Journalist Jeb Dunnuck moderates a conversation between Château Mouton Rothschild’s co-owner and their winemaker during The Vintage Cellar.

A former aerospace engineer, Jeb Dunnuck has spent nearly 25 years as a wine critic. In his eponymous wine publication, he reviews vintages and reports on harvests. His goal: to help oenophiles discover what to drink next. At The Vintage Cellar event, he draws on his Bordeaux expertise to lead an insightful conversation between Château Mouton’s co-owner Philippe Sereys de Rothschild and winemaker Jean-Emmanuel Danjoy.

Vintner Dinners

Friday, February 3

Enjoy intimate dinners with award-winning chefs and celebrated vintners at the elegant private homes and settings of Naples Winter Wine Festival trustees throughout Naples. Forge lifelong friendships with fellow wine and food enthusiasts during these magical evenings with unparalleled dining experiences. Times and locations vary; hosts send personal invitations detailing the specific times and attire

Meet the Kids Day Tour & Luncheon

Friday, February 3

Begin your weekend of radical giving by witnessing the lifechanging impact of the Naples Winter Wine Festival during Meet the Kids Day at the NCH Business Center. A highlight for many NWWF patrons, Meet the Kids Day allows you to get to know the organizations benefiting from NCEF’s grants and meet the children who have received the resources and services they need to excel. The morning culminates in heartfelt presentations, showcasing remarkable success stories that NCEF’s grants have made possible. Following the presentations, you’ll meet acclaimed vintners and taste their exclusive wines at a luncheon catered by D’Amico’s The Continental. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m; shuttles to the NCH Business Center depart from The Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón, at 8:30 a.m.; resort casual.

2023 Live Auction

Saturday, February 4

Embark on a journey beyond your wildest expectations during the live auction, where you’ll be greeted by a dazzling team of Ritz-Carlton chefs offering bite-sized masterpieces and sommeliers pouring the world’s finest and rarest wines. Then, you’ll strut into the main event, where you’re cheered on and celebrated, setting the mood for an afternoon of bidding on extraordinary wines, travel packages and oneof-a-kind experiences. Throughout the afternoon, sommeliers and servers go table to table, pouring wines and serving gastropub fare, while guests raise their paddles to support local kids. The atmosphere under the tent is electrifying! 11 a.m. to approx. 5 p.m.; at The RitzCarlton Naples, Tiburón; resort-casual attire.

Wine Down

Saturday, February 4

After-party with the best of them, as you celebrate the enormous generosity of the winning bidders and ‘wine down’ with more great food and drinks. Dance the night away to live music, including a band made up of Grammy Award-winning musicians. Following the live auction; at The Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón; come-as-you-are attire.

Celebration Brunch

Sunday, February 5

The perfect ending to a perfect weekend: the Sunday Champagne brunch is complete with hearty fare and bubbly, along with plenty of opportunities to hobnob with the chef, vintner and oenophile friends you’ve made over the weekend. Bid farewell to friends, old and new—at least, until next year. 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; at The Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón; resort-casual attire.

A Cut Above

John Tesar was standing barefoot in the driveway of his parents’ Hamptons home when he told his mother he wasn’t going back to college. A young surfer, skateboarder and beach rat, Tesar had fallen in love with the restaurant business and unlocked a hidden talent for cooking while working in a small Westhampton pub. “I was standing in bare feet in this warm, brown sand, and I told my mother, ‘I’m going to Paris to go to cooking school,’” he recalls.

This year’s Naples Winter Wine Festival Chef de Cuisine, Tesar, attributes much of his success to serendipity. He says things like, “God takes care of fools and babies, and I’m protected under both plans,” and “Cooking was my destiny, and I’m lucky to have found it at a very young age.” But to credit his success—seven restaurants, a turn on Top Chef, multiple James Beard Award nods and a Michelin star—to outside forces diminishes his instincts and mastery.

After Paris, Tesar opened and ran restaurants in the Hamptons and Manhattan, dabbled in the corporate chef life in Tahoe and Vegas, and eventually

settled in Dallas, where he became the executive chef at the acclaimed Mansion on Turtle Creek in 2006. In 2014, he opened Knife, a luxe modern steakhouse, known for its mastery of dry-aged beef. “My life was changed by dry-aging,” he says of the process, in which controlled mold is grown on beef to intensify its flavor and tenderize the meat. Knife also champions Texas beef through direct relationships with ranchers, like the century-old 44 Farms. “Their feed and genetics have been the secret to our dry-aging,” Tesar says. (His menu includes a rare, 240-day, dry-aged bone-in rib-eye from the farm.)

Knife’s acclaim has spurred several spin-offs, including surf-and-turf Knife & Spoon at The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes, which garnered the chef his first Michelin star last year. At Outer Reef in Dana Point, California, Tesar applies his obsession with dry-aging to seafood, experimenting with dry-aged tuna, salmon, sturgeon and hamachi.

When he’s not in the kitchen, he connects with nonprofits through food. Thirteen years ago, he founded Burgers

& Burgundy, which has raised hundreds of thousands for the Dallas chapter of DIFFA (Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS), and he’s been a fixture at NWWF since 2018. “To be invited back to one of the largest philanthropic events in the world [is an honor],” he says. “When Donna [Solimene] called and said I was going to be the Chef de Cuisine, it felt like I’d come of age—not only to be respected as a cook but as a person who cares, can live up to the responsibility and wants to give back.”

This year, he’ll host a vintner dinner with Napa winery Dana Estates, where impeccable shellfish and dry-aged beef are likely to make an appearance. He also curated an auction package around the PNC Father Son Challenge golf tournament, featuring Tiger Woods at The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes. The lot includes a chauffeured Bentley ride from Naples, four tickets to the tournament, a stay in a pair of king rooms at the resort and, of course, dinner at Knife & Spoon. “I’m hoping it goes for $200,000 at least,” he says. “It’s Naples, come on. ”

Dallas chef John Tesar grows his restaurant empire and philanthropy, returning to the Naples Winter Wine Festival as this year’s Chef de Cuisine.

The head of the Michelinstarred Knife & Spoon at The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes, is known for his experimental approach to steak.

Bordeaux’s Finest

Château Mouton Rothschild’s co-owner, Philippe Sereys de Rothschild, brings his family’s storied winemaking legacy to the Naples Winter Wine Festival.

The Bordeaux region of France produces some of the best wines in the world. Of the thousands of wineries in the region, five are called First Growth, a sought-after designation that separates them as the best of the best. One of those is Château Mouton Rothschild.

The Honored Vintner at this year’s Naples Winter Wine Festival is Philippe Sereys de Rothschild, the chairman and CEO of Baron Philippe de Rothschild SA, which owns Château Mouton Rothschild. He’s the sixth generation of Rothschilds to helm the operation. “With my sister Camille and my brother Julien (co-owners of the château), we have both the good fortune and the duty to preserve and maintain all that the generations before us have built,” he says.

A bottle of Château Mouton Rothschild is among the most coveted in the industry; depending on the year, it can go for hundreds or even thousands. A recent auction in Hong Kong of 66 bottles, spanning from 1945 to 2012, fetched $376,900.

So, why is this wine so good? The vineyard’s success is essentially due to the land itself. The nearby Gironde Estuary nourishes the 207 acres of gravelly soil with a sand-and-clay mix only suited for growing wine grapes. Low hills mark the topography, allowing for good drainage and sunlight to nourish the vines. These

This year’s Honored Vintner is the sixth generation to lead the illustrious estate.

conditions produce red wines, rich in tannin—mostly cabernet sauvignon but also cabernet franc, merlot and petit verdot.

Winegrowing on this land dates back to the Ancient Romans, but its course to eminence in the industry started with the Rothschild family. Baron Nathaniel de Rothschild wanted to create a personal wine to gift guests and acquired the land at auction in 1853, when he gave the estate its current name. Two generations later, his great-grandson, Baron Philippe de Rothschild, elevated the estate when he took over in 1922; he was only 20 at the time and brought a wealth of industry-changing ideas. The baron insisted on bottling the wine onsite—a rare move at the time—which allowed the growers to control more of the manufacturing process. In 1945, he started commissioning artists, like Salvador Dalí and Andy Warhol, to design labels. The practice continues today (under the current generation’s charge, Scottish-born artist Peter Doig created the artwork for the 2020 vintage).

Perhaps, most importantly, he established the winery as a Premier Cru, a.k.a. First Growth. The designation had been a source of controversy in the wine world. Four vineyards in 1855 were designated Premier Cru, ranked by price and prestige, as part of the Bordeaux Wine Official

Courtesy images by Mathieu Anglada

Paddles Up — Honored Vintner— By Justin Paprocki

Classification. During his tenure, Philippe de Rothschild also famously partnered with Robert Mondavi in Napa Valley to create the highly collectible Opus One.

Taking the helm from her father, Philippine de Rothschild further expanded the company, modernizing the estate’s production and launching Almaviva wine in partnership with Chile.

Philippe Sereys de Rothschild, Baronesse Philippine’s son, succeeded his mother as the supervisor overseeing the

company in 2014. He also serves as president of the Philippine de Rothschild Corporate Foundation, which works to support arts and culture. Personally, Philippe Sereys de Rothschild has long supported education. “I am particularly attuned to the charitable goals of the Naples Winter Wine Festival, because I have invested not only money but also my time and energy in schools in France that specialize in distance learning,” he says. “I truly believe education is an issue of fundamental importance in today’s world.”

Bottle Service

GILLIAN BALLANCE

Gillian Ballance is one of the wine world’s leading women. The national education manager for Australia’s Treasury Wine Estates distributor is an inaugural member of the James Beard Foundation’s Beverage Advisory Board, which launched in 2019 to grow and diversify the foundation’s beverage programming, including educational efforts, sustainability initiatives and equity directives. Ballance earned her spot on the board following a successful career launched by mentor, sommelier and TV personality Andrea Immer Robinson. Ballance worked under Robinson at popular New York City fine-dining spots, including The Rainbow Room and Windows on the World, where she studied the more than 100,000-bottle cellar. She later worked in California as wine director for Bottega Napa Valley, Cavallo Point Lodge and PlumpJack Group, before landing at Treasury, one of the world’s largest wine companies.

THATCHER BAKER-BRIGGS

Born in a small city in Canada, Thatcher Baker-Briggs knew from the age of 10 that he wanted to go into the restaurant biz. His professional trajectory led him to the kitchens and dining rooms of some of the world’s most influential restaurants, including three Michelin-starred Saison under chef Joshua Skenes, the highly regarded Takazawain Tokyo and the two Michelin-starred COI in San Francisco. After his role opening ANGLER in San Francisco, he founded Thatcher’s Wine Consulting in 2019, lending his expertise to a wide range of industries, including technology, publishing, finance and politics. In 2021, Thatcher launched his eponymous online bottle shop, where he focuses on wines from dynamic and emerging winemakers. From exceptional everyday bottles to rarefied finds, his cellar focuses on honest expressions of climate and terroir across Europe. Baker-Briggs was named one of Wine Enthusiast’s 2022 Future 40.

Featured Sommeliers from around the globe bring their wine-soaked perspectives to the Naples Winter Wine Festival.

FERNANDO BETETA

In his latest worldly venture, Guatemalan-born Fernando Beteta joined fellow Master Sommelier Ken Fredrickson as a partner for Chicago’s luxe wholesale distributor High Road Wine & Spirits in April. His role as marketing partner comes on the heels of a successful career in high-end hotel restaurants (with features in top publications such as Crain’s Chicago Business and Wine Enthusiast). He was also named one of America’s Best New Sommeliers by Wine & Spirits. Beteta learned the ropes working in his family’s lauded restaurants in Antigua, Guatemala, before traveling to Switzerland for a formal education in hotel management. His path eventually led to The Dining Room at The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago, and NoMI at the Park Hyatt Chicago. When not traveling the world or working with his distribution business, Beteta loves to host private wine dinners in his Chicago abode.

PABLO BRAIDA

The first Argentinian to earn the Master Sommelier title, Pablo Braida left his small town to see the world. He worked his way around the world, taking odd jobs to fund his travels. A gig at the century-old Berkeley Hotel in London introduced him to the pleasures of fine wine. The wanderlust went on to work as a sommelier at Mallorca in Barcelona, where he met his now-wife, Lila Wallace, who is from Iowa. In 2015, their love story brought him to California, where Braida worked as a wine manager and sommelier in Sonoma, Napa and St. Helena before the pandemic and wildfires in California nudged him to move south to Texas. He now works as a consultant for Dallas-based Monarch Restaurants.

ANDY CHABOT

Andy Chabot started his two decade-career at Tennessee’s revered Blackberry Farm and Blackberry Mountain as a server for the property’s restaurants when he was fresh out of The Culinary Institute of America. Since, he’s catapulted the beverage programs at the Great Smoky Mountains establishments, including growing the property’s cellar from 17,000 bottles to 166,000 in six years and earning a James Beard Award for Outstanding Wine Program at The Barn at Blackberry Farm in 2014. (The property won a second James Beard Award for Outstanding Service in 2015.) Now, the young somm uses his platform for the greater good, working with a Tennessee high school to help students with special needs learn culinary skills. He’s also spoken at roundtable discussions for Alzheimer’s Association to advocate for funding and research.

JULIE DALTON

Julie Dalton was waiting tables while studying biotech at Texas A&M (and later Johns Hopkins University) when she fell in love with wine. For four years, the STEMminded wine-lover balanced the two careers while studying to be an Advanced Sommelier and Certified Wine Educator. In 2010, she left biotech to pursue vino full-time, working for lauded chefs and restaurateurs throughout Texas before she landed a spot at the fivestar, five-diamond Post Oak Hotel as the chief sommelier and wine director for the property’s rustic-contemporary wine bar. Along the way, the riesling-lover earned several Best Sommelier rankings and was the first female to win Houston’s Iron Somm competition.

ERIK ELLIOTT

Fresh on the Master Sommelier scene, Philadelphia native Erik Elliot passed his exam this past August with the promise of a stellar career on the horizon. The Temple University graduate fell in love with hospitality and wine while working at his hometown’s fine-dining chain Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse. He pivoted to the slopes of Aspen to pursue his burgeoning wine dream and spent six years learning the ropes through the James Beard-nominated wine program at The Little Nell. He’d often ventured to France, Italy and Spain in the off-season to learn about Old World vines to deepen his know-how. Now, working in Napa Valley as estate director at Heitz Cellar, Elliott hangs his hat on elegant, balanced bottles from sustainably farmed vineyards.

AUDREY FRICK

Sommelier-turned-journalist Audrey Frick started her wine-soaked career as a server in a Northern Italian restaurant in Boulder, Colorado. Within four years, the oenophile scored a position as sommelier at Denver’s upscale, open-kitchen Tavernetta. In 2016, while working in Denver, Frick earned her Advanced Sommelier credential from the Court of Master Sommeliers. She also worked as a wine director in New York before transitioning to her current, full-time position reviewing wines from Oregon, Sonoma, Champagne and Piedmonte for critic Jeb Dunnuck.

DANA GAISER

New York-based wine-industry veteran Dana Gaiser earned one of the top scores in the country on the Advanced Sommelier exam in 2013. He has left his mark on restaurants and hotels throughout the U.S., earning top marks along the way (he won Top|Somm East Coast in 2013 and placed second at Top|Somm Nationals in 2015). Gaiser currently works for New York City’s Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits. The amateur chef and his wife split their time between Brooklyn and Connecticut, where the couple also runs food-and-beverage education firm Vitamin D Consulting.

MORGAN HARRIS

In the five years since San Fransisco-based Morgan Harris earned his Master Sommelier title, the young oenophile has racked up appearances in the media, with features on NBC and Esquire Network. The freelance wine writer and brand director is known for his raw, unfiltered opinions, and his personality played a key role in journalist Bianca Bosker’s 2017 New York Times bestseller, Cork Dork: A Wine-Fueled Adventure Among the Obsessive Sommeliers, Big Bottle Hunters, and Rogue Scientists Who Taught Me to Live for Taste. In it, he likens wines to “the boyfriend who generally treats you like shit but shows up at the right time with flowers and chocolates.” On his journey to Master Somm, Harris balanced a 9-to-5 marketing job and night shifts at top restaurants (he worked under Michelin-starred chef Danny Grant at San Fransisco’s Cotogona). Now, in addition to working as sommelier for Saison Hospitality, he pens articles for publications, such as Wine Folly

JENNIFER HUETHER

Canada’s first female Master Sommelier, Jennifer Huether, launched plant-based entertainment company The Social Herbivore with vegan food consultant Priya Rao in 2019, when the duo saw a gap in highend catering and wine-pairings for vegan cuisine. As the project picked up, the team penned the first book dedicated to the topic, with sustainable hosting tips, wine pairings for vegan dishes and tips for building a cellar. Before her plant-based ventures, Huether made a name in the wine world leading the multimillion-dollar beverage program at Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, where she mentored nearly a dozen budding sommeliers. Now, as an active member of the Court of Masters, she’s constantly working behind the curtain at competitions, seminars and fundraisers, and has been a major advocate for women in the wine world.

ÉLYSE LAMBERT

This Montréal native might just be Canada’s next queen of wine. Élyse Lambert is the second Canadian woman to earn the coveted Master Sommelier title, and she’s a regular contributor to Journal de Montréal and Radio-Canada’s morning show, Médium-Large. She has made it to the top of many of the country’s bests lists in her 20-plus years as a sommelier consultant. Her education from Quebec’s hospitality-driven l’École Hôtelière des Laurentide catapulted her career in esteemed restaurants and resorts throughout the Great White North, including Daniel Boulud’s French concept at The Ritz-Carlton, Montréal. In 2016, she ranked fifth in the Best Sommelier in the World competition, and she’s served as a judge in similar events. Lambert runs seminars worldwide, often promoting fellow women to get into the field.

CHRIS MILLER

While working in fine-dining restaurants in his native New Orleans, Chris Miller—owner of Seabold Cellars in Marina, CA— fell in love with wine. After a visit to a winery in Woodinville, Washington, he cashed in a finance career to focus on grapes. He moved to Seattle to work as a sommelier at the legendary Canlis. The city served as a basecamp for frequent visits to the then-emerging wineries of Walla Walla, where he learned the craft, studying under renowned winemaker Greg Brewer. After winning the title of Best Young Sommelier in the World, Miller was recruited by Wolfgang Puck to oversee the beverage program for Puck’s flagship restaurant, Spago, in Beverly Hills. Nine years ago, he began to make wine on California’s Central Coast. At his Seabold Cellars, Miller emphasizes minimal-intervention winemaking. He also launched a secondary label, Bold Wine, with more attainable bottles.

GEORGE MILIOTES

A firm proponent of by-the-glass lists, George Miliotes encourages imbibers to discover new wines and adventurous pairings. While working at California Grill at Walt Disney Resort in the ’90s, he created one of the first lists in the country to offer 100 wines by the glass. Now, at his Wine Bar George, he serves up 140 bottles by the glass, emphasizing varietals and producers he discovers on frequent trips to wine-growing regions. A grandson of Greek immigrants, Miliotes is forever seeking the most compelling vinos. He’s also had a hand in shaping Naples’ wine scene, serving as head sommelier for the national Darden Restaurant group, behind establishments like Capital Grille and Seasons 52. Five years ago, he returned to Orlando, where his family long ran a specialty market and cafe. His Wine Bar George at Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort remains the only wine bar in Florida run by a Master Sommelier.

ANDREW RASTELLO

Andrew “Rusty” Rastello’s love of wine first found purchase in the 200-page wine list at the Kazimierz World Wine Bar in Scottsdale, AZ. After spending his formative years working behind the bar and behind the scenes as a sommelier and wine distributor in Phoenix, Rusty left Arizona in 2012 to rise among the ranks of New York oenologists. Pouring for decorated restaurateur Danny Meyer at Gramercy Tavern (winner of nine James Beard Awards), Rastello became one of the first sommeliers in the restaurant’s 20-year tenure. He worked as assistant wine director at the three-Michelin-starred Eleven Madison Park, and in 2019, traded coasts to join another Michelin favorite, the three-starred SingleThread Restaurant in Healdsburg, CA. As wine director, Rastello established the eponymous online wine shop, SingleThread Wines, and now crafts daily pairing menus for the 10-course, farm-to-table fare from his 2,600-bottle list.

PIER-ALEXIS SOULI È RE

Pier-Alexis Soulière spent the first 12 years of his career working in some of the most demanding environments, from Montreal to London to Sydney to New York to California. He worked in prestigious Michelin-starred restaurants, like Dinner by Heston Blumenthal and The Modern, and in 2014, won the World Young Sommelier of the Year competition in Copenhagen, where participants present their skills under grueling conditions. Two years later, he became one of the few somms under 30 to earn the Master Sommelier certification. Soulière went on to rack up a roster of awards. Now, he resides in his hometown of Quebec, where he founded P-A Soulière Sélection maple syrup, which he bottles as “cuvées.” When he’s not in his sugar shack, you can find Soulière consulting, leading tastings and overseeing cellar management for hotels, events and private clients.

SCOTT TURNBULL

Master Sommelier Scott Turnbull left Penn State University and went off to teach English in France’s Rhône Valley. While tutoring sommeliers at Lycée Hotelier de Tain l’Hermitage hospitality school, he learned about wine as he led the students to decipher their tasting notes. After two years, Turnbull moved back to Pennsylvania and traded the classroom for the cellar, working at the opulent French bastion Le Bec Fin. He later moved to Atlanta, where he took over the head somm role at acclaimed chef Günter Seeger’s restaurant, then back to Philly to run the wine program at two lauded establishments, including Four Seasons Philadelphia’s five-star Fountain Restaurant. A decade ago, he moved west to work at Napa’s luxurious Solage, Auberge Resorts Collection, followed by The Restaurant at Meadowood in 2018. Now living in Napa, Turnbull sells wine as a consultant for distributor and importer WineBow.

SARAH THOMAS

Sarah Thomas cut her teeth as a sommelier world-renowned Le Bernadin in New York. In 2016, the Indian-American chef and somm co-founded Kalamata’s Kitchen, a children’s book series that encourages kids to experience the world through food. The brand now includes interactive online games, videos, kid-friendly city guides and stories from acclaimed chefs; live events; and soon, a television series with Imagine Entertainment. The books, geared at kids ages 4 to 6, aim to inspire confidence in children of color while encouraging all kids to view food and culture with curiosity and compassion. As a sommelier, Thomas—who graduated with a master’s in English Renaissance literature and later almost went the pre-med track—delights in sharing wines from less “traditional” regions. She claims a love affair with Spanish vinos, including Mencía, an aromatic red from Northwest Spain.

Mountain High

Paddles Up — The Vintner Trustees — By Lane Nieset

For Kelley and Jim Bailey—new Naples Children & Education Foundation trustees and co-owners of Knights Bridge Winery in Sonoma—wine is a labor of land and love.

When Jim Bailey started looking at vineyards back in 2006, he was initially interested in Napa Valley. That is until he was shown a vineyard off Highway 128, rising up the hillside on the west side of Knights Valley, the warmest appellation in Sonoma County. From the highest point, at 950 feet in elevation, he was “amazed by the potential of this stunning property,” he says.

The vineyard’s mineral-rich volcanic soil stretches along the Mayacamas Mountains, north and south of Calistoga, and features seven varietals—plus a wide range of elevation along the rocky slopes. Cool wind blows from the Pacific Ocean

through Chalk Hill, making it ideal for producing chardonnay (longer hang time allows for richer flavors), while warmer days help create balanced cabernet sauvignon and sauvignon blanc.

From the top of the vineyard, Jim could also see his friend Sir Peter Michael’s winery. “I was a big fan of [his] wines, and I knew we could make magic here on our side of the valley,” he says.

Along with his brother, Essel, and friend Tom Costin, they purchased the 100-acre parcel (half of which was planted with vines) before harvest, established Knights Bridge Winery, and produced their first vintage that same

year. They’ve replanted portions of the estate in the 15 years since and bought an additional 30 acres of adjacent vines last year. The pièce de résistance—the winery itself—was a project 10 years in the making that wrapped up in July 2021. “When you buy a parcel of land and vineyards, that is just the beginning of the commitment of what you’re doing as a winery,” says Jim’s wife, Kelley Bailey, now one of the co-owners of Knights Bridge Winery.

Kelley’s background in wine spans more than three decades; she worked closely with Jackson Family Wines’ founders Jess Jackson and Barbara

Recently inducted as NCEF trustees, Kelley and Jim Bailey met through an event hosted by Valerie Boyd and Jeff Gargiulo 11 years ago.

The couple now own Knights Bridge Winery in Sonoma County.

Paddles Up — The Vintner Trustees

Banke on marketing strategy and brand development. “My initial vision was to create the best wines possible—and that has not changed over the last 15 years,” Jim says. “Unfortunately, I did not pay much attention to case quantity or what we really wanted to be as a winery; Kelley taught me the value of a solid business plan, and we worked together, turning the magic of the vineyard into what we are now.”

With the help of renowned California architect Howard Backen and his associate John Taft, Jim and Kelley designed the winery—the second built in Knights Valley—in a style that gives visitors the

same journey as the grape (the winery is almost entirely underground). “Surrounded by vineyards, people get a sense of Knights Valley, of what makes this area special: the ridge line, the hills, the cool air coming from the north,” Kelley says, explaining how visitors start with a tour of the vines before heading in to see the production and tulip-shaped tanks. “As they walk into the winery, they’re part of that winemaking process.”

Knights Bridge Winery has had the same winemaker, Douglas Danielak, since the beginning; he’s now joined by Derek Baljeu. Kelley says that in the more recent vintages, they’ve been able

to strike a balance, so there’s beautiful acidity, backbone, tannin and structure, while still having a more plush, velvety entry into the wine. “Every vintage is different—not one is the same,” she says. “They always throw you a challenge of some sort that you learn from.”

Jim and Kelley have been married for three years but met seven years ago at an event held by Naples Children & Education Foundation founding trustees Valerie Boyd and Jeff Gargiulo. Over time, Knights Bridge Winery shifted from a hobby to a full-time project they could work on and grow together. “When you build a winery and continue to invest in

Renowned California architects Howard Backen and John Taft designed the Baileys’ winery, which aims to emulate the journey of the harvest, from vine to bottle, for visitors.

Paddles Up — The Vintner Trustees

a vineyard, you have a responsibility for so many others, so many families—that is when it’s more than a hobby,” Jim explains. “We are both committed to the legacy that we are creating—a winery that can bring future generations back to the land and where we can continue to invest in the vineyard, our growing winery team and our communities.”

Kelley has been participating in NWWF for nearly 15 years; this year marks the couple’s first as trustees of NCEF. “We truly believe in what they are doing at NCEF—this is the way to get funding to those in need and make a monumental change in these kids’ lives,” she says. Jim has been involved in philanthropic work for more than 50 years, since graduating from Harvard and starting a company that provides investment and financial planning services to nonprofits and other institutions. “His business was dedicated to investing in universities and foundations that were doing wonderful things for students and charities, so he has been a giver for most of his life,” Kelley says. “Now, we can continue to do that as trustees with the foundation.”

The vineyard’s cool Pacific winds, high elevation and mineralrich volcanic soil allow for aromatic chardonnay, balanced cabernet sauvignon and sauvignon blanc.

A Night to Remember

On February 3, Michelin-starred chefs and revered vintners come together to create fantastical evenings in some of the most elegant homes and settings in Naples during the NWWF Vintner Dinners.

Courtesy Images

Paddles Up — The Dinners — By Justin Paprocki

Chasing Rainbows

HOSTS: Debbi & Bill Cary with Nancy & Joe Masterson HONORED VINTNER: Philippe Sereys de Rothschild of Château Mouton Rothschild, Bordeaux, France CHEF: Nancy Oakes of Boulevard, San Francisco, CA

Paddles Up — The Dinners

The Naples Winter Wine Festival’s honored vintner pairs with a legendary California chef for the Carys’ and Mastersons’ dinner. The Carys are longtime friends and supporters of Nancy Oakes, who has been attending NWWF since 2004 and cooking for the couple’s Vintner Dinners for the past five years. Through her San Francisco restaurant Boulevard, the James Beard Foundation Award-winning chef helped usher in a hyper-local era in American dining, focusing on quality ingredients from local vendors. Her Chasing Rainbows menu emphasizes the ethos: “There will be caviar and truffles, bicoastal crab risotto, duck agnolotti and more truffles. Tender veal cheek and tiny morel mushrooms, dry-aged beef with double dutch potatoes,” Oakes says.

Her selections complement Château Mouton Rothschild’s Bordeaux vintages. Honored vintner Philippe Sereys de Rothschild has helmed his family’s winery for nearly a decade. The First Growth estate delivers the world’s most iconic Bordeaux wines— bold and elegant, with cabernet sauvignon grapes playing a starring role. To celebrate Oakes’ artful presentations, the hosts plan elegantly minimalist decor and entertainment to allow the food and wine to shine.

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

The history goes deep into the rich gravel and loam soil of Helms Vineyard, one of four organic plots at Dana Estates, on the doorstep of Napa Valley’s Mayacamas Mountains. German viticulturist H.W. Helms began farming here in 1883—a tradition stewarded by Hi Sang Lee since founding Dana Estates in 2005. The award-winning producer is known for its structured cabs, dazzling sauvignon blanc and experimental Bordeaux-style blends designed to age.

The name—Sanskrit for “spirit of generosity”—reflects the style of their Somewhere Over the Rainbow dinner partner, John Tesar, who promises caviar, iced shellfish and dry-aged beef befitting his modern steakhouses in Dallas and Orlando. “The menu will be high-end and very calculated to highlight Dana Estates’ wines,” says the Michelin starholder and Top Chef alumnus. For Tesar, who’s returning to the Naples Winter Wine Festival for the sixth time, luxurious food does not necessarily mean complicated food: “I believe in keeping it simple. Once you get past the fourth ingredient [on a plate], I wanna know why; it better be something really special.”

HOSTS: Jerri & David Hoffmann with Shirley & Peter Welsh at The Old Collier Golf Club VINTNERS: Hi Sang Lee and Jae Chun of Dana Estates, St. Helena, CA

CHEF DE CUISINE: John Tesar of Knife & Spoon, Orlando, FL

On Top of the World

The Staglin Family Vineyard has been part of the Naples Winter Wine Festival since the beginning, which makes sense, considering its motto: “Great wine for great causes.” The Staglins have raised $1 billion for philanthropic efforts since purchasing their vineyard in 1985 (their lauded Music Festival for Brain Health is in its 29th year). The 61-acre lot is one of the oldest in Napa Valley, initially planted in 1864, and produces cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay, sangiovese and a Bordeaux-style blend. They plan on serving a variety of their wines during the three-course, Italian-inspired dinner by Paul Bartolotta.

Bartolotta started his restaurant group nearly 30 years ago with his brother, Joe. The two grew up in an Italian household in Wisconsin. “We learned the importance of food and a meal with family around a table,” Paul says. “We opened Ristorante Bartolotta dal 1993 (their first restaurant) as an homage to that ‘Bartolotta table’ concept.” Since then, they’ve created 16 other restaurants nationwide, leading to two James Beard Foundation Awards for Paul.

HOSTS: Jamie & John Brown with Julia Van Domelen at the home of Susan & Jim Pinkin

VINTNERS: Shari & Garen Staglin of Staglin Family Vineyard, Rutherford, CA

CHEF: Paul Bartolotta of The Bartolotta Restaurants, Milwaukee, WI

Ebony & Ivory

Penfolds is one of Australia’s oldest wineries. Back in 1844, Dr. Christopher Penfold and his wife, Mary, planted vines from France. Their Magill Estate still produces legendary shiraz, but their wines now come from vineyards across South Australia, and the winery is best known for blending grapes others don’t think to combine. Last year, Penfolds made waves with its release of a California Collection, which blends Australian shiraz and California cabernet sauvignon. Their 1950s Penfolds Grange vintages are highly coveted among collectors, too (a rare set recently went for $400,000). The Kashs and Walters are delighted to host the winery, which returns to NWWF for the first time in 19 years.

A winery with such deep roots needs an equally legendary chef. Enter Cassidee Dabney, chef of The Barn at Blackberry Farm, a no-introduction-needed bulwark of modern cuisine. Through the farm’s trademarked Foothills Cuisine—discerning meals sourced from the Relais & Châteaux resort’s property in Tennesse’s Appalachian Mountains—Dabney incorporates produce from the onsite gardens, cheeses from their cheesemonger and fish from their rivers. The winery and restaurant’s penchants for honoring the land will make an impression at the Ebony & Ivory dinner.

HOSTS: Katrina & Rick Kash with Carol & John Walter at the home of Mimi & Doug Traina

VINTNER: Tim Irwin of Penfolds, Adelaide, Australia

CHEF: Cassidee Dabney of The Barn at Blackberry Farm, Walland, TN

With A Little Help From My Friends

With A Little Help From My Friends is an apt title for a dinner hosted by the gregarious, big-hearted Donna Solimene and featuring grand dame vintner and NCEF lifetime trustee Grace Evenstad. She and her late husband, Ken, founded Domaine Serene winery in 1989 in the Dundee Hills of Oregon. Wine Spectator has repeatedly ranked their pinot noirs and chardonnays among the best in the biz. In 2015, the Evenstads purchased Château de la Crée, a Burgundy estate founded in the 15th century. “We use the traditions of France and the innovation of America to craft the best wine,” Evenstad, a part-time Naples resident, says. At the dinner, they serve Château de la Crée wines next to bottles from Domaine Serene so diners can compare and contrast.

As the centerpiece of the dinner, Chef Beau MacMillan promises Terra Heritage Tajima Wagyu, raised in the heart of Arizona. MacMillan is wellknown in Arizona and currently serves as the culinary advisor for Mediterranean restaurant CALA and Sanctuary Camelback Mountain resort. But perhaps he’s best recognized for his numerous television appearances, including once beating Bobby Flay on Iron Chef America and serving as co-host for Food Network’s Worst Cooks in America.

HOST: Donna Solimene at the home of Cece and James Koons

VINTNER: Grace Evenstad of Château de la Crèe, Burgundy, France and Domaine Serene, Dayton, OR

CHEF: Beau MacMillan of CALA Scottsdale, AZ

Imagine ... All the People

Sharon and Chuck Hallberg fell in love with Stephen Coe at a Vintner Dinner last year. His dynamic energy has earned the chef a strong onscreen presence (he beat the famed chef on the Food Network’s Chopped: Beat Bobby Flay, won several other Food Network competitions and is currently developing a cooking show, Dangerous Eats). Even so, Coe stands out for the artistry of his dishes, composed of creativity, modern American influences and New England flair (his Lobsta Love food truck in Massachusetts is a beauty).

His menu pairs with the Willamette Valley pinot noirs of Gran Moraine Winery & Zena Crown Vineyard. Oregon’s Willamette Valley has emerged as a beacon for pinot noirs. The wet winters; warm, dry summers; and cool evenings create ideal conditions for the finicky grapes. Jackson Family Wines is now at the center of shaping this relatively young wine region, starting with their acquisition of the 115-acre Zena Crown in 2013. After Barbara Banke’s husband, Jess Jackson, passed, she cemented the family’s legacy in Oregon, adding WillaKenzie Estate, Penner-Ash Wine Cellars and Gran Moraine to the portfolio. Their son, Christopher, and his wife, Ariel, hold top roles at the company. The couple appreciates their family’s focus on unsung wine regions and long view of vineyard cultivation. At the dinner, they pour lively pinots and chardonnays from their Oregon estates to suit the chef’s spirited creations.

HOSTS: Sharon & Chuck Hallberg at the home of Ashley & Adam Gerry

VINTNERS: Christopher & Ariel Jackson of Gran Moraine Winery & Zena Crown Vineyard, Willamette Valley, OR CHEF: Stephen Coe of Cork + Table, Plymouth, MA

We Are the World

HOSTS: Stephanie & Fred Pezeshkan with Adria & Jerry Starkey

VINTNERS: Shahpar & Darioush Khaledi of Darioush, Napa, CA

CHEF: Alex Seidel of Mercantile dining & provision, Denver, CO

Winner of the James Beard Award for Best Chef: Southwest in 2018, Alex Seidel is regarded for his commitment to sustainability. In his four Colorado restaurants, he sources everything that he can locally, and his latest restaurant, Chook, is certified as a B Corporation for following the certification’s stringent social and environmental standards.

“We operate our restaurants with honest intent, sourcing from the best people and producers,” he says. His ethos: people and planet over profit.

It’s an apt complement to Shahpar and Darioush Khaledi’s Napa winery. After losing everything during the Iranian Revolution, the couple sought refuge in Los Angeles, where Darioush, a civil engineer by trade, launched several entrepreneurial pursuits (including creating a multi-million, family-owned chain of grocery stores). He followed his heart back to winemaking, when he and Shahpar opened Darioush in Napa Valley in 1997, bringing the art of hospitality ingrained in the centuries-old Persian winemaking culture to California. Raised in Iran, Darioush grew up watching his father make wine. Both he and Shahpar immersed themselves in Bordeaux winemaking, with influences reflected in Darioush’s big, bold reds. For Shahpar, hospitality and winemaking are rooted in tradition and culture. “It is obvious to treat guests like they are part of our family,” she says.

Courtesy Images

High Hopes

Festival co-chairs for 2023, Libby and Rick Germain, partner with 2018 co-chairs Kathy and Dan Mezzalingua to create the High Hopes dinner. Their energy matches Emily and Paul Michael’s winery. Paul’s father, Peter, dreamed of making Bordeaux-style wines from a California vineyard and found an ideal locale in a 630-acre plot near Mount Saint Helena in the Knights Valley. Peter Michael Winery has always been a family operation; Peter’s sons helped plant the first vines. Nearly 40 years later, Paul and his wife, Emily, oversee the business, which has flourished into a respected limited-production operation with 16 wines in four varietals. Dinner guests get a taste of four of the wines, including ‘Les Pavots’ estate cabernet blend, a staple since 1988.

The cab sips well with French chef Antoine Westermann’s creations. Westermann opened Le Buerehiesel at 23 and in five years, received a coveted Michelin star. He rose to a three-star rating and became one of the most acclaimed chefs in France. Then, after 32 years in the Michelin guide, he let his son take over the restaurant and went on to other culinary ventures. His latest is Le Coq & Fils in Paris, a bistro specializing in roast chicken—arguably, a culinary benchmark. It’s a straightforward concept—source the best quality free-range poultry and explore its many possibilities with exacting techniques and preparations—but one that’s again put him on the culinary map.

HOSTS: Libby & Rick Germain with Kathy & Dan Mezzalingua

VINTNERS: Emily & Paul Michael of Peter Michael Winery, Calistoga, CA

CHEF: Antione Westermann of Le Coq & Fils, Paris, France

Three-Part Harmony

Founding trustees for the Naples Children and Education Foundation, Valerie Boyd and Jeff Gargiulo always bring Southern twang and their wines from Gargiulo Vineyards to their Vintner Dinners. They bought their first plot in Oakville in 1992 and then a second just a mile down the road about seven years later. They’ve since been dedicated to producing top-ofthe-line cabernet sauvignon.

Boyd and Gargiulo previously hosted wine auction dinners in Napa Valley with Reid Shilling and invited him to participate in NWWF for the first time this year. The chef, who trained under Thomas Keller at Bouchon Bistro, returned to his Mid-Atlantic roots and opened Shilling Canning Company in 2016. Many of his restaurant’s ingredients come from the garden alongside his D.C. establishment. For the Naples dinner, he’ll cook with his region’s bounty and what’s growing seasonally in Southwest Florida. “That’s part of the fun in doing these events,” he says. “You bring the best from where you are and then get your hands on the best from where the event is.” Of course, the festivities center around music, with Gargiulo’s musician friends bringing their unique blend of singer-songwriter soul.

HOSTS: Valerie Boyd & Jeff Gargiulo with Kristine & Chris Williams at the home of Betsy & Tony Markel

VINTNERS: Valerie Boyd & Jeff Gargiulo of Gargiulo Vineyards, Napa, CA

CHEF: Reid Shilling of Shilling Canning Company, Washington, D.C.

This Moment in Time

Knights Bridge is a small, family-owned winery in the Knights Valley, just north of Napa. (The neighboring winery being fellow NWWF participant Peter Michael Winery). With three types of soil and cooling winds from San Pablo Bay and the Pacific Ocean, the climate creates an ideal atmosphere for producing chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, merlot and cabernet sauvignon. “Cool nights and warm days allow the grapes to create intense flavors with bright acidity,” says Kelley Bailey, a part-time Naples resident. She and her husband, Jim, are newly inducted NCEF trustees.

The couple admires Dustin Valette’s restaurants, Valette and The Matheson, in nearby Healdsburg. Valette, the Sonoma County native, has spent time in prestigious restaurants nationwide, training with heavy hitters like Thomas Keller, Charlie Palmer and Laurent Manrique. But he longed to return to his roots and focus on the bounty of Sonoma, which he does through Valette, Valette’s Wine and his new The Matheson, located on the former site of his great-grandfather’s bakery. Everything is purpose-driven—from the hive-like design of The Matheson’s third-floor lounge inspired by his beekeeper uncle to the self-serve wine wall with 88 options by the glass that reflects his deep understanding of wine and Wine Country cuisine. The same level of intentionality can be expected from his menu.

Paddles Up — The Dinners

HOSTS: Kelley & Jim Bailey with Karen & Dale Medford

VINTNERS: Kelley & Jim Bailey of Knights Bridge Winery, Calistoga, CA

CHEF: Dustin Valette of The Matheson, Healdsburg, CA

Follow Your Dreams

When a pair of NWWF Vintner Committee members co-host a dinner, you can bet the wines will be first class. A new vintner to the festival, Jean-Guillaume Prats has worked with France’s most legendary maisons. He managed Bordeaux Château Cos d’Estournel, oversaw the wine division of the Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy group, and became the president and CEO of historic Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite), including overseeing the organic conversion of Château Lafite Rothschild. He’s now part owner of the resort and winery Château d’Estoublon in Provence and manages Paul Jaboulet Aîné and its iconic red wine, La Chapelle, served during this dinner along with the white Chevalier de Sterimberg.

Nashville chef Cassie Raithel—a hot, up-and-coming chef, whose The 404 Kitchen modernly melds Southern and European traditional cooking— joins the vintner. Raithel draws inspiration from the cuisine in southern France, Spain, Italy and other regions along the Mediterranean. “I love to take the classic comfort foods of all those regions and work with how we can implement local Tennessee and regional ingredients,” she says. She says dinner guests can expect a riff on perhaps the three most classic Rhône Valley dishes: cassoulet with Tennessee ham, chicken jambonette and beef bourguignon with braised lamb.

HOSTS: Laura & Jim Dixon with Nena & Bill Beynon at the Man Cave

VINTNER: Jean-Guillaume Prats of Paul Jaboulet Aîné, Rhône Valley, France

CHEF: Cassie Raithel of The 404 Kitchen, Nashville, TN

One Tribe

VINTNER: Cliff Lede of Cliff Lede Vineyards, Yountville, CA CHEF: Sue Zemanick of Zasu, New Orleans, LA

When Cliff Lede purchased 60 acres in the Stags Leap District of Napa Valley, he replanted most of the vineyard to emphasize each area’s exact soil and exposure and named the parcels after classic rock albums and songs (Dark Side of the Moon, Bohemian Rhapsody). The winery is filled with paintings and signed guitars that reflect Lede’s interests, and his experimental Rock Blocks Series ‘mashes up’ grapes from various plots for bottles that are as energetic and exciting as the tunes that flow through the winery.

Joining Lede is one of the best chefs in New Orleans—a city that dinner co-host Marilyn Scripps adores. Sue Zemanick first rose to fame at NOLA’s fine-dining institution Gautreau’s Restaurant. While there, Food & Wine magazine named her a Best New Chef, she appeared on Bravo’s Top Chef Masters, and she won a James Beard Award. The Pennsylvania native then started Zasu as a tribute to her Slovak heritage, with new takes on traditional dishes, such as the wild mushroom and potato pierogies with caramelized Vidalia onion, asparagus, and onion creme fraiche. Expect plenty of seafood and seasonal veggies at the One Tribe dinner. The theme—which reflects on everyone being one tribe for our community and local kids—promises a similar dreamy vibe to Scripps’ Polynesian-inspired dinner last year.

HOSTS: Marilyn Scripps with Linda & Tom Koehn

A Song in Your Heart

Longtime friends, the Heidts and the Hills, know how to throw a good party. Many recall the recreated fuselage that adorned their 2022 Vintner Dinner. Event planner Margaret Short helps the couples achieve the same wow-factor with their A Song in Your Heart dinner. A few musical surprises are promised, including a stellar a capella performance. As for the wines, the BOND team brings its singular focus on world-class cabernet sauvignon. When vintner Bill Harlan and his team set out to create BOND in 1996, they experimented with grapes from more than 100 vineyards in Napa before settling on five. The vineyards are all relatively small, no larger than 12 acres each, and chosen for their distinct expression of Napa wine. BOND’s vineyard team farms the estates themselves. Bill’s wife, Deborah, and BOND estate director Max Kast are curating bottles to accompany Chef Fabio Viviani’s Tuscan-style cooking.

The Hills are fans of Viviani’s restaurants, like Siena Tavern and Prime & Provisions in Chicago. They were eager to host the chef, who started working in the restaurant industry as a teenager in Florence, Italy. By the time he was 27, he was running two nightclubs and five restaurants. Since moving stateside, the Fabio Viviani Hospitality Group has grown to include more than 60 establishments. The celebrity chef has made a name for himself as a contestant on Bravo’s Top Chef and with frequent appearances on Good Morning America , The Food Network and through his Fabio’s Kitchen show on YouTube.

HOSTS: Julia & Rob Heidt, Jr. with Barbie & Paul Hills

VINTNERS: Deborah Harlan and Max Kast of BOND, Oakville, CA

CHEF: Fabio Viviani of Fabio Viviani Hospitality Group, Chicago, IL

Sweet Harmony

HOSTS: Carol & Harry Rose with Joy & Chuck Waterman

VINTNERS: Marilisa Allegrini of Allegrini Estates, Tuscany, Italy and Violet Grgich of Grgich Hills Estate, Rutherford, CA

CHEF: Joe Flamm of Rose Mary, Chicago, IL

The Allegrini family has been synonymous with winemaking in Italy for more than 400 years. They’ve raised the bar for Amarone and other red wines from the Valpolicella region. Marilisa Allegrini, who has appeared at NWWF multiple times, is joined at the Roses’ and Watermans’ dinner by Violet Grgich, who took the helm of her father’s Grgich Hills Estate four years ago. In 2023, the winery celebrates the 100th birthday of their patriarch, Miljenko “Mike” Grgich, with a yearlong celebration, which includes their appearance at NWWF. An immigrant from Croatia, Mike arrived in Napa in the late-1950s with a cardboard suitcase, a few wine books and a dream. In less than two decades, his chardonnay beat the best from French wineries in the 1976 Judgment of Paris blind tasting.

Both wineries’ focus on heritage and family ties pair with dishes developed by Joe Flamm, who grew up on Italian cooking. The winner of Bravo’s Top Chef in 2018, Flamm started Rose Mary in honor of his grandmothers, Mary and Rose. He spent much of his youth in the kitchen, cooking and making pasta with his family. His Chicago restaurant draws heavily on his Italian heritage, adding elements of his wife’s native Croatian cuisine. His gnocchi, for example, comes with a Croatian-style beef stew. “We are able to tell a tale of the cuisine from the coast of Italy and Croatia. It’s approachable and very hospitable food, rooted in tradition,” Flamm says.

What a Wonderful World

VINTNERS:

CHEF:

HOSTS: Jacki & Max Guinn with Sherie Marek

Laura Catena of Catena Zapata, Mendoza, Argentina and Dominic Symington of Symington Family Estates, Douro, Portugal

Dean Fearing of Fearing’s Restaurant, Dallas, TX

Paddles Up — The Dinners

A staple at the NWWF, Texan chef Dean Fearing was honored as a Pioneer of American Cuisine by The Culinary Institute of America for bringing Southwestern cooking into the international conscience. The author of The Texas Food Bible, Fearing has focused on locally sourced, regional dishes since the ’80s—long before the locavore movement took off. His namesake Fearing’s Restaurant at The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas, is famed for its tortilla soup and other Southwestern staples. But it’s Fearing’s big, robust steaks that pair exceptionally well with the bold wines from Catena Zapata and Symington Family Estates.

Italian immigrant Nicola Catena founded his namesake winery in the Andean foothills of Argentina in 1902. More than 100 years later, the winery’s still in the family and run by the fourth generation of descendants. Catena is credited with bringing worldwide acclaim to Argentine malbec. Meanwhile, Dominic Symington and crew are highly regarded for their Portugal red wines and legendary port houses, Graham’s, Cockburn’s, Dow’s and Warre’s. The new sustainable building for their Quinta do Ataíde winery reflects the group’s growing commitment to unfortified wines from Portugal’s Duoro region. At What a Wonderful World, Symington’s ports mark the perfect ending to a perfect evening.

A Million Dreams

For new trustees Amy and John Quinn, and Dena Rae Hancock and Rob Caito, it’s fitting to have a pair of young, dynamic culinary pros. Vintner Jesse Katz established himself as a rising star, landing on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list and Wine Enthusiasts’ 40 Under 40 Tastemakers. His passion for winemaking started at an early age on worldwide travels with his noted photographer father, Andy. They’d frequently stop at famed wineries. After mentoring at vineyards in France, Argentina and Napa, he created blends for celebrities like Tony Hawk and Justin Timberlake and established Aperture Cellars (a nod to his father’s profession) and Devil Proof Vineyards (known for its 100-point malbec). At the Vintner Dinner, the 38-year-old Katz teams up with another up-andcomer: Hawaii native Sheldon Simeon. The Top Chef alum has gained a following at Tin Roof and Tiffany’s for his unique spin on island food, with a strong emphasis on Japanese, Chinese, Korean and Filipino flavors. Among the dishes to be served at A Million Dreams is Champagne-poached mahi-mahi with a puree of Molokai sweet potato, bok choi, passionfruit beurre blanc and smoked trout roe. “It’s always been my mission to introduce mainlanders to the true food of Hawaii,” he says.

HOSTS: Amy & John Quinn with Dena Rae Hancock & P. Robert Caito

VINTNER: Jesse Katz of Aperture Cellars, Healdsburg, CA

CHEF: Sheldon Simeon of Tiffany’s, Wailuku, HI and Tin Roof Maui, Kahului, HI

One Love

HOSTS: Shelly & Ralph Stayer

VINTNER: Alessia Antinori of Marchesi Antinori, Florence, Italy

CHEF: Danny Grant of Maple & Ash, Chicago, IL

Paddles Up — The Dinners

The Stayers love Italian wine, which makes Marchesi Antinori an ideal fit for their One Love dinner. In 1385, Giovanni di Piero Antinori joined the Florentine Winemakers’ Guild, and today Marchesi Antinori is among the oldest continuously owned family businesses in the world, having lasted through 26 generations.

Alessia Antinori and her two sisters took on the mantle as the first women to run the 600-plusyear-old dynasty. And though Antinori estates have spread throughout Italy and overseas, their roots remain in the Chianti Classico region, where they were instrumental in fueling the Super Tuscan movement in the 1970s.

The tradition of Marchesi Antinori complements the burgeoning restaurant legacy of Danny Grant, who made his name in the high-profile kitchens of the former Elysian Hotel Chicago. His mastery of French cooking helped him become the youngest American chef to earn two Michelin stars in 2011 and 2012. Food & Wine named him the Best New Chef in 2012. Since, he’s branched out to partner with the What If Syndicate hospitality group and establish restaurants in Chicago, Los Angeles, Dallas and Scottsdale–with further expansion underway.

Courtesy Images

The more than 600-year-old Marchesi Antinori is among the oldest family businesses in the world, having lasted through 26 generations.

Stand by You

HOSTS: Anne Welsh McNulty with Beth & Jeff Wessel

Ann Welsh McNulty is known for having lots of dancing at her dinners. This year, she and her co-hosts, Beth and Jeff Wessel, do it up with the rollicking Ben Allen Band as the entertainment. Everything else follows suit. Chef Brian Baxter brings his inspired version of down-home Southern cuisine to the party. Fans know that at his 22-seat The Catbird Seat in Nashville, Baxter cooks with few limitations. The magic happens in the open as the diners watch and interact with the kitchen team. That’s the vibe guests can expect at Stand by You, where Baxter plans a meal with Southwest Florida ingredients and Tennessee imports, such as dry-aged Bear Creek Farm beef.

On the wine front, you’ll find the same bold energy with Bodega Numanthia from Spain. The LVMH-owned winery lies in the Toro appellation, where hearty, robust wines have been grown since Roman times. Numanthia’s “little monsters” deliver a punch for lovers of big wines. Much like Baxter’s respectful-yet-modern take on Southern cuisine, Numanthia takes a fresh approach to wrangling its rugged, remote, ancient tempranillo vines. More recent vintages are brighter, aging for seven to eight years in the bottle before their release. It all goes down well with the king of Champagne Olivier Krug’s effervescent pours. Part of the sixth generation of the Krug family to oversee the Krug Champagne line, Olivier continues the meticulous tradition established by his ancestors. Grapes are sourced from various vineyards, and some blends, such as the famous light gold Krug Grande Cuvèe, take as many as 1,000 tastings to perfect.

VINTNERS: Olivier Krug of Krug Champagne, Reims, France and Lucas Löwi of Bodega Numanthia, Toro, Spain

CHEF: Brian Baxter of The Catbird Seat, Nashville, TN

Courtesy Images

Chef Brian Baxter of Nashville’s intimate The Catbird Seat puts a modern twist on Southern dishes.

And The Lot Goes To ...

Ready your bids for the Naples Winter Wine Festival’s sought-after travel packages, vintner-curated wine lots and epic experiences.

La Dolce Vita

Two couples fly round-trip in business class to Italy for a seven-night trip hosted by Shari and Garen Staglin, the duo behind Rutherford Bench’s Staglin Family Vineyard. Start with two nights in a five-star hotel in Lake Como; the stay includes dinner overlooking the water at the candlelit Il Gatto Nero. Then, it’s off to Italy’s Piedmont for tours through wine country, white-truffle hunting and dinners curated around the winners’ preferences. You’ll spend three nights at Relais le Rocche with exclusive winery visits led by sommelier DLynn Proctor while surrounded by some of the best Barolo wines. You’ll top off the trip in Milan, with two evenings at Palazzo Parigi Hotel & Grand Spa. Take your pick of insider tours of Duomo cathedral and Santa Maria delle Grazie convent (where Da Vinci’s The Last Supper resides). Visit the iconic Pomellato atelier for a chance to create a custom piece of jewelry—the ultimate souvenir.

THIS LOT ALSO INCLUDES:

Two (2) - 1.5 Liter Staglin Estate Stagliano Sangiovese 2017, etched

Two (2) - 1.5 Liter Staglin Estate Stagliano Sangiovese 2018, etched

Two (2) - 1.5 Liter Staglin Estate Stagliano Sangiovese 2019, etched

Million-dollar comedy

Forty couples enjoy an evening of comedy with best-selling author, actor and comedian Sebastian Maniscalco at The Club Room at Campiello in Naples. The lot, redeemable this fall, gets attendees a rare opportunity to get up close with Maniscalco, who has set records for sold-out arena shows across the country and seldom performs in small venues. The evening’s refreshments include passed hors d’oeuvres, cocktails and wine. For $25,000 per couple, you can be part of NCEF’s mission to provide essential services for our neediest children—and get some good laughs in the process.

Sub-Saharan Retreat

This round-trip jaunt takes two couples deep into the wilderness, with daily safaris and all food and drink included at the hotels. The 11-day, 10-night adventure is split between South Africa and Zambia.

You’ll stay for three nights in a plush, modern suite at Singita Sweni Lodge in South Africa before decamping to the tree-shrouded luxury tents at Toka Leya on the Zambian side of Victoria Falls. If you’re visiting between June and October, you’ll then fly north to Zambia, where you stay at Shumba Camp and learn about lions at Panthera Africa Big Cat Sanctuary.

Visitors traveling in June, September or October, stay at the luxurious Linkwasha Camp, where you’ll drive through the camp to spot big game. The trip wraps with a helicopter ride to Matusadona National Park in Zimbabwe, which has lions, elephants and more than 240 bird species. There, lifetime trustee Dave Gibbons has set up a behind-the-scenes experience with an African Parks ranger to learn about the park’s rehabilitation efforts and protecting endangered animals.

Bentley Kingdom

One of this year’s coveted car lots comes with a bonus trip. But first, the winning wheels: Bidders swoon for the 2023 Bentley Bentayga EWB Azure with an extended wheelbase that adds extra legroom for backseat riders. The in-house Mulliner design team dresses up the ride to include sleek black and white interiors with pops of amethyst on diamond-quilted seats and bespoke Naples Winter Wine Festival treadplates.

The winning couple also embarks on a seven-day, six-night road trip through the United Kingdom, with a driver at your beck and call. The grand tour kicks off with two days in London, where you’ll stay at The Lanesborough—a short drive from posh shopping districts, like Sloane Street and Knightsbridge. Then, you head to the Bentley Crewe factory and CW1 House in Cheshire for a private dinner on the factory line and a night’s stay at the country estate Carden Park. Whiskey lovers take note: you’ll also be treated to a plush lunch and dinner experience at the storied The Macallan Estate distillery during your trip. From there, expect to cruise around the U.K. in style, as the Bentley team curates a top-notch series of luxury stays and experiences in other Brit cities before you bid the country cheerio.

Yacht Life

Three adventurous couples take a private jet to board the 164-foot Ocean Club yacht for a no-expense-spared, six-night Bahama excursion. Sink your toes into the rose-colored sand on Harbor and Eleuthera Islands and meet the resident beach-loving pigs and iguanas on Exuma Island. Snorkel through the underwater caves at Thunderball Grotto, then cruise through the crystalline surface on waverunners, boats or kayaks. There’s also a three-story waterslide for the young at heart. Settle down onboard each night with meals planned by the yacht owners and prepared by the private chef.

California Dreamin’

Whisk your partner from coast to coast on a five-day getaway to the Golden State. Start your trip in the heart of Napa Valley for a two-day, two-night stay at the 712-acre Stanly Ranch vineyard resort. Explore one of the world’s premier wine regions with a pass to visit Darioush and three other wine estates in the area. Toast your trip with two wine-paired dinners, including a meal at the three Michelin-starred The French Laundry. Then, board a semi-private flight south to the City of Angels, where you’re awarded a three-day, two-night stay with upscale accommodations. Don your best as you step into the spotlight with an invitation to the Chopard Academy Award Suite to get a view of the jeweler’s Red Carpet high jewelry collection before the Oscars. A gracious host, Chopard treats you to a wine-soaked dinner with Darioush vinos. To round out your day of hobnobbing with the stars, glide over to the Elton John AIDS Foundation Oscar Viewing Party. Round-trip business-class airfare and all ground transportation included.

THIS LOT ALSO INCLUDES:

One (1) – 1.5 Liter Darioush Darius II Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

One (1) – 1.5 Liter Darioush Darius II Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

One (1) – 1.5 Liter Darioush Darius II Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

One (1) – 1.5 Liter Darioush Darius II Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

One (1) – 1.5 Liter Darioush Darius II Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

One (1) – 1.5 Liter Darioush Darius II Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

Courtesy Images

Royal Treatment

Jet off for a six-night tour through one of France’s most acclaimed wine regions: Burgundy. Four people retire to Domaine Evenstad’s newly renovated Grande Maison, in the center square of Santenay-Bas, for three nights. Venture through Côte de Beaune to Grace Evanstad’s Domaine Serene 15th-century Château de la Crée. Embark on a tour, starting with barrel tastings in the Domaine Evenstad winery and lunch in the surrounding vineyards, followed by a private, guided visit of Hospices de Beaune (a historic site with gorgeous Gothic architecture), a wine lunch in the private dining room of Château du Clos de Vougeot and dinner at three Michelin-starred Maison Lameloise. The trip includes various experiences depending on your time slot (plan to go in September for a hands-on harvest). Winners also take home an assortment of Grand Cru and Premier Cru wines from the first vintage produced under the Domaine Evenstad label, including bottles signed by Grace Evenstad from Grand Cru vineyards, Bonnes Mares and Clos Vougeot.

THIS LOT ALSO INCLUDES:

Four (4) – 1.5 Liter Château de la Crée, Santenay Premier Cru Clos Faubard Pinot Noir 2015

Four (4) – 1.5 Liter Maison Evenstad Nuits-Saint-Georges Les FleurièresLes Plantes Au Baron Pinot Noir 2016

Twelve (12) – 750ml assorted bottles of Grand Cru and Premier Cru wines from the first vintage of wine produced under the Domaine Evenstad label, including bottles signed by Grace Evenstad from the renowned Grand Cru vineyards, Bonnes-Mares and Clos Vougeot

Grand Slam

Two lucky couples win a golf lover’s dream; tickets to the world’s oldest golf tournament, The British Open, during a 10-night trip to London and Ireland. At the first stop, in Ireland, you’re greeted by a flock of horses and hounds at the stately Adare Manor, where you’ll stay for three nights with spa packages, rounds on the greens and excursions in the surrounding towns. After trekking across the Cliffs of Moher and cruising Lough Derg by private motor yacht, it’s off to the 1826 mansion-turned-inn 2 Blackburne Terrace in Liverpool for three nights. The highlight of the trip may just be your private, upper-level balcony seats at The Open with coveted Engravers Hospitality tickets, overlooking the 16th hole, with flowing Champagne and canapés. Enjoy four-course lunches and afternoon tea throughout the weekend event before settling into your suite at the countryside Cliveden House in Berkshire, where NWWF auctioneer Humphrey Butler orchestrates delightful experiences, including watching a Changing of the Guard ceremony at Wellington Barracks and dinners at the Michelin-starred Cliveden.

Courtesy Images

HEARTS OUT / Success stories, trailblazers and causes to inspire giving

Kelly Jones 124 The Impact 146 The Volunteers

TRANSFORMATIVE

Hearts Out — The Impact — By Zahra Khan — Photography by Kelly Jones

By providing grants to nonprofits with proven track records, NCEF empowers Collier County children to thrive. Three families illustrate the power of Naples Winter Wine Festival’s donors’ radical generosity and how the foundation meets kids where they are to do the most good.

Finding Her Way

At Pace Center for Girls, Immokalee teen Mercedez Suarez corrects her course and finds her voice.

In May of 2021, Mercedez Suarez was reported missing. It was a typical day for the 17-year-old freshman. She had skipping down to a science: Mercedez would attend first period at Immokalee High School to make roll call, and by third period, she’d be on her way to LaBelle or Ave Maria to smoke weed and drink with her friends. Struggling in class and frustrated at home, she sought escape through drugs and alcohol.

Tension at home had been simmering for more than a year. In 2020, her mom was hospitalized for two weeks, and Mercedez had to fill the role as head of the house. She cleaned, cooked, did the laundry and dishes, and put her three younger siblings to bed each night. She and her mom began to butt heads. “We didn’t always agree on a lot of things,” she recalls. “I felt like it was just a lot of pressure on me—like, ‘It’s all leaning toward me now that my mom’s not here.’”

On that night in May, the Suarez family feared the worst; Mercedez came home at 4 a.m. to her worried mother and father. The following day, her school resource officer approached her with a suggestion: Pace Center for Girls. The nonprofit provides

education, career preparation and mental health counseling to at-risk girls, ages 11 to 17, in a year-round school setting through the Day Program, and at public schools, at home and online through the Pace Reach Program. With 23 branches across Florida, Georgia and South Carolina, Pace helps 3,000 girls a year. Their evidence-based and outcome-oriented approach empowers young women to build a better life.

At first, Mercedez was not on board. “I was going to lose my friends,” she says. “I didn’t want to be in a new school environment.” But her family embraced the need for a change. She moved in with her aunt and three days later, started at Pace.

Though it was only a 15-minute walk from her former high school, Pace was a world away for Mercedez. In addition to teaching typical high school subjects, the program guides girls to advance through its five levels: Opportunity, Responsibility, Dignity, Serenity and Grace. At each level, students identify areas of behavioral change, embrace growth and create partnerships by evaluating pros and cons, writing essays and completing service-learning projects.

Two years ago, Mercedez Suarez was regularly skipping school and seeking solace in drugs and alcohol. After a night when she was reported missing in 2021, her school resource officer advised her to transfer to Pace Center for Girls Collier in Immokalee.

Pace Center for Girls—which has 23 branches—educates and empowers at-risk young women through its year-round Day Program school and Pace Reach Programs in public schools, at home and online. Their programs have more than a 90 percent success rate.

Through tailored programming for each student, Mercedez was encouraged to focus on leadership and civic service. Her favorite class, Spirited Girls, allows the students to have open discussions around taboo subjects, like mental health and substance abuse. “My family and I struggle with depression,” she says. “When we’re able to talk about that, I feel like I’m not the only person going through it.” The class equips the girls with simple but effective tools they don’t find in the classroom. They listen to music when upset or play with stress balls to reduce anxiety.

The Pace approach—pairing coping strategies with an on-site licensed mental health therapist—has proven 96 percent effective for girls who enter the program with a history of trauma. Students may stop by a counselor’s office anytime during the school day. They can get time away when feeling overwhelmed, talk to a teacher or therapist about obstacles or just complete their schoolwork in a quiet space. Full-time therapy at the Immokalee school is made possible by the Naples Children & Education Foundation, which facilitates relationships between Pace and other organizations to get students access to needed medical and mental health care.

These partnerships are instrumental to Pace’s success: In 2019, a research firm found girls at Pace are nearly twice as likely to be on track to graduate compared to young women with the same risk factors at public institutions. Through the fundraising efforts of the Naples Children & Education Foundation’s signature event, the Naples Winter Wine Festival, Pace achieves this at no cost to families.

For Mercedez, Pace would change her life. After a year and a half, she has no unexcused absences, her GPA has improved and she’s working her way up to Grace, the last level of achievement at Pace.

But it hasn’t all been easy. A year into the program, Mercedez’s therapist pulled her aside and told her she would not advance to the next level. Teachers were concerned by her sarcasm and language in class. “I could see I was in the wrong for that,” Mercedez

says. She knew something needed to change. She worked with her therapist to address the behavior and developed tactics to speak more thoughtfully. Within two months, she advanced: “I also saw the change in myself, and it made me feel like, ‘Oh yeah, I could change a lot of things.’”

Now Mercedez is a part of the Girls Leadership Council, composed of four girls who speak directly with staff members to advocate for the students at the center. In September, she sat down with the cook and the executive director to make changes in the lunch menu and dress code, which resulted in more options at the salad bar and laxer restrictions for dressdown day. Speaking for her classmates translated to better communication at home. In September, Mercedez moved back in with her parents, and now she feels more comfortable talking to her mom. “I am able to tell her things,” she says.

Pace has a proven track record with girls like Mercedez. Since 1985, the nonprofit has worked with more than 40,000 girls; it has a 90 percent success rate in improving academic achievement through the Pace Day Program and 99 percent success with behavior and reducing delinquency through the Pace Reach Program. “Pace is important because everybody has a different story,” Mercedez says. Small classrooms and constant engagement allow the staff to develop students’ strengths and respond to specific needs. A trauma-informed approach in a healthy and supportive environment encourages students to build trusting, long-term relationships in and outside the school.

As for the future, Mercedez is setting her sights high. She hopes to attend a state university and become a heart surgeon. Since she’s proven she can accomplish her goals, she’s not limited by how big they can be.

Mercedez is now part of Pace’s Girls Leadership Council, through which students advocate for their peers.

Learning to Cope

After

the sudden loss of her confidant, her mother, 16-year-old Mackenzie Francois sought refuge in Valerie’s House.

Hearts Out — The Impact

Mackenzie Francois was 16 when her mother suffered a stroke and fell into a coma. Her father had been deported to Haiti when she was 3 and her brother, at 22, was not in a place to care for his kid sister. Her mom had recently started seeing a new man, but Mackenzie wasn’t close to him. Suddenly, she was forced to imagine a life without her mom, the only close family she’d ever known.

Two months after her mother was hospitalized, Mackenzie moved from Port St. Lucie to live with a distant cousin in Naples. Leaving her friends and school behind, she embarked on a new chapter alone. Though her mother would remain on life-support for five more months, Mackenzie felt her childhood was over. “Even before [my mom] died, when she was in the hospital, at that point in my brain, she already died,” she says. While her distant relatives provided for her basic needs, Mackenzie was largely alone in Naples.

In February 2020, her mom was pronounced brain-dead. Mackenzie didn’t allow herself to grieve. She was back in school the next day. She didn’t share her loss with her peers or teachers. Her situation deteriorated a month later when the world shut down due to COVID-19. Attending school online and with no in-person grieving services available, she was secluded in her room and forced to mourn in isolation for the better part of a year. By the time she returned to school in person, Mackenzie had dropped out of track and field, her grades were slipping and it was clear that she was struggling mentally. Her counselor suggested she visit Valerie’s House, a local nonprofit established to support grieving children and families. The group broke ground on a 7,000-square-foot ‘forever home’ in Fort Myers last year.

In 2021, the Childhood Bereavement Estimation Model reported 32,200 children were bereaved in three of Southwest Florida’s counties. Across the country, it’s estimated that 5.6 million kids

Mackenzie bottled up her grief when her mother passed away, leading the teen to eventually attempt to take her life. She later found comfort and support within peer counseling groups at Valerie’s House.

will lose a parent or sibling before they reach 18, and 57 percent of those grieving report a decline in support from family and friends within three months of a loss. For kids who have lost a loved one, Valerie’s House provides a reliable community with a shared experience for extended grieving.

The core of the nonprofit is peer-group counseling, which is funded by the Naples Children & Education Foundation. The foundation also connects Valerie’s House with other local agencies, like Kids’ Minds Matter, Naples Therapeutic Riding Center (NTRC) and STARability Foundation. Through its network of partner nonprofits, NCEF can help address each child’s unique need by identifying complementary services from other nonprofits. Last year, the group partnered with Collier County Public Schools to provide in-school grief counseling. The team has also partnered with NTRC to provide equine-assisted therapy for children with emotional disabilities.

Though Mackenzie credits the peer counseling with saving her life, she wasn’t ready to open up at first. She was used to suppressing her grief. A week after her first session, she ingested a fistful of pills in an attempt to end her life.

As soon as nausea set in, she was overcome with regret and expelled the poison from her system.

“I was still not properly responding to the death of my mother. I kind of put her death on the back burner and I was just moving on, which was not a smart idea,” Mackenzie admits. “I held it in so much that I broke down.”

Days later, under the Florida Baker Act, her school counselor sent her to the David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health in Naples. Her memories of these days are unclear, but she says she must’ve liked something about Valerie’s House, because she returned to group meetings the next week. Nearly two years later, she still hasn’t missed a session.

Mackenzie now works at Valerie’s House, helping other bereaved children.

She graduated in May with a 3.3 GPA and two college scholarships, including one from Valerie’s House. “I can say it saved my life,” Mackenzie says about the nonprofit.

Connecting with peers who have lost someone has made all the difference. Valerie’s House understands that young children and teens grieve differently than adults. Children may go through spurts of grieving and playing. They may regress to behaviors like bed-wetting, ask repeated questions about their loved one, act out or become withdrawn. Teens especially benefit from having confidants their age who they can talk to when they’re ready. “When you’re in a counselor’s office talking about it, it’s kind of like you have to keep that wall up of not letting them know too much,” Mackenzie says. “But then when you’re with the kids, it’s like, ‘Oh, I am with my friends talking.’”

Six months after her first session, Valerie’s House conducted a reflection exercise, and Mackenzie realized she was making real strides. Her grades had improved, and she was pushing herself to get out there, attending high school football games and engaging in other quintessential high school experiences. She had come so far that she wanted to give back. By the time she graduated in May, Mackenzie had clocked more than 100 volunteer hours at NTRC, Lee County Sheriff’s Office and local food banks. She didn’t log most of the hours with her high school as is typical for students in pursuit of a well-rounded college application. When asked why, she shrugs, insisting that her focus is solely on impacting her community and helping those in need. She also started volunteering as a ‘group buddy’ at Valerie’s House, acting as a peer who listens, encourages and engages with grieving kids.

Last year, Mackenzie graduated from high school with a 3.3 GPA and secured two scholarships: one from Champions for Learning and another from Valerie’s House, which provides support for graduating seniors who’ve participated in their programs. She’s now studying forensics at Florida Gulf Coast University and dreams of opening orphanages across the country to serve children in need. In her free time, she still works with grieving kids at the center. “I love Valerie’s House,” she says. “I can say it saved my life.”

Building a Village

Better Together helped Ramona Nuñez escape domestic abuse and continues to provide a safe harbor for her children while she receives essential medical care.

Four years ago, Ramona Nuñez and her family were trapped in an abusive household. Ramona, who had long been in poor health and suffered from multiple injuries, was largely cut off from the outside world as she struggled to raise her daughters and attain necessary medical care. Better Together provided Ramona with the support she needed to break free of her abuser and keep her daughters out of foster care.

The Brooklyn native first became entangled in an abusive relationship with a man 20 years her senior when she was 16. A year later, she gave birth to a son. She worked multiple jobs and stayed in shelters to survive. For 15 years, she raised her son alone. In 2011, when she met a security guard while on vacation in Florida, she let herself dream of building a family unit with a strong partner by her side. She moved to Naples to live closer to him, and they had two daughters together, Anaelizabeth and Kathy, now 12 and 9.

Ramona’s hopes for a safe environment for her children fell as her partner proved to be manipulative, controlling and physically abusive. Ramona wasn’t allowed to work or attend school. He kept her isolated from friends and family. After a violent outburst, his mother would turn up at her apartment with makeup to cover Ramona’s bruises.

Ramona filed complaints and police reports against the girls’ father, but she didn’t leave him right away; she believed he could change. The Department of Children and Family Services (DCF) launched a six-month-long investigation. During that time, Ramona and her daughters found solace in visits to Grace Place for Children and Families, an NCEF-supported education nonprofit. With the girls by her side or in the center’s childcare area, Ramona took classes in cooking and parenting. But she needed more than short-term support.

In 2019, Ramona Nuñez left an abusive relationship and sought support from the NCEF-funded The Shelter for Abused Women & Children and Better Together, which has helped keep thousands of local children out of the foster care system.

After being in multiple car accidents, Ramona required several major surgeries: metal brackets and screws in her neck, repairs to her rotary cuff and shoulder, and lower back surgery, among others. Since childhood, she’s also suffered from epileptic spells that are exasperated by lack of sleep and heightened stress. If she misses a dose of her medication, she can lose consciousness and fall into violent, full-body spasms.

By 2019, her son had grown and left home, but her daughters were still young. After years of failed intervention, the DCF representative on her case offered her an ultimatum: keep the girls at home and they would eventually be taken to foster care, or leave her abuser and seek help from Better Together. Ramona opted to make a break from the 11 combined years of abuse from two partners in hopes of changing the patterns of poverty and abuse in her family.

Better Together has built a local network to temporarily care for children of struggling parents while they recover from illnesses, get jobs or otherwise get back on their feet. In Collier County, there are 300 kids in foster care, with an estimated 75 percent placed there due to neglect. Better Together aims to prevent families from entering the system and the kids from experiencing the trauma of state intervention. Families work with Better Together on a voluntary basis to address common causes of neglect, such as job loss and medical emergencies. With NCEF’s assistance, the nonprofit has helped more than 3,000 children, keeping 98 percent of them out of foster care.

Ramona, Anaelizabeth and Kathy moved into The Shelter for Abused Women & Children, where they began a relationship with Better Together. The girls were first placed with Traci and Ricco Thurwalker, who have hosted 11 kids through Better Together since joining the group in 2019. The girls returned with a glowing

report; the couple took them on walks to friends’ houses and introduced them to healthy habits. “‘We felt safe,’” Ramona recalls them saying.

Two years ago, Ramona’s doctor discovered a large cyst on her ovary; she would need it and the ovary removed. Better Together connected Ramona with another couple, Sondra and William McCaskill, who stepped in to host her daughters for a week. Since then, the two have continued trading recipes and ideas for outdoor activities to keep the girls engaged and healthy. When Anaelizabeth showed signs of emotional eating, Ramona turned to Sondra, who’d had a similar experience with her own child.

Last summer, when Ramona needed several weeks to heal from shoulder surgery, another couple—interior designer Agnes Morrison, and her husband, Todd, who works at Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida—stepped up. Though the girls only stayed with them for three weeks, the visit had a huge impact. Agnes has since filled out scholarship applications for the girls to attend free vacation Bible school, stood next to Ramona as they baptized Anaelizabeth and is the emergency contact for the girls. “I just had two surgeries,” Ramona says. “I have three more procedures to go, but Better Together is helping me cope … They’re offering a safe environment for my daughters. I couldn’t be more thankful for them.”

Ramona is now a student at Florida SouthWestern State College. Between balancing church, work and caring for her girls, she now feels she can make herself and her daughters proud. The three have an apartment, and Ramona dedicates her free time after they’ve gone to bed to her studies. “If it wasn’t for [groups] like Better Together, I wouldn’t have been able to heal in order to take care of them so we could be better together,” she says.

Through Better Together, Ramona was able obtain short-term care for her two daughters while she healed. The three now live together in their own apartment.

Hand in Hand

Lisa Morse has volunteered with the NWWF since the beginning and experienced the organization’s impact in every facet of life.

“When my mother passed away three years ago, I not only lost my mom, my then-8-year-old daughter, Ellen, also lost her grandmother.

Myma, as my daughter called her, lived 6 miles from our home and was a constant presence in Ellen’s life. After my mother passed, Ellen attended grief counseling at her school with counselor Nancy Ruben, who often works with Avow Kids, an NCEF-funded grief counseling program. There, a path opened for her to share stories about her grandmother and grieve in a supportive atmosphere. Together, they made a memory box filled with mementos. The program had an incredibly positive impact on Ellen and, in turn, on me. At the time, it was hard for me to talk to my daughter about my mother’s passing because I was filled with my own grief. Avow broke the barrier. It allowed Ellen to dive into feelings and emotions, something I couldn’t do without help. Now, it’s rare that a week goes by without one of us saying, ‘Remember when Myma did this or that?’

I have consistently seen how NCEF helps young kids and families like mine. My longtime connection to NCEF began in 2001 when I volunteered at the first Naples Winter Wine Festival. That year, it was held in a tent on the property of what became The Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón. The hotel hadn’t been built yet; the Festival was a far cry from the grand, multiday event it is now. Seeing how NWWF produces necessary funding for programs in the community has

Lisa Morse began volunteering with the Naples Winter Wine Festival during the event’s inception in 2001.

Morse is a longtime supporter of the Naples Children & Education Foundation. She often sees the organization’s benefits in her role working for Collier County Public Schools.

motivated me to come back and provide support year after year.

I have volunteered at every festival since, from working the registration table to stuffing invitations to manning the gift shop. I even volunteered when I was seven months pregnant with Ellen. I love greeting donors at the registration table.

When I first volunteered in 2001, I was on staff at the Boys & Girls Club of Collier County. During my eight years there, the organization went from helping 150 kids on one campus to more than 3,000 kids

across two campuses, thanks to NCEF’s support. I’ve continued to work for more NCEF-supported sites, including YMCA of Collier County and Guadalupe Center. For the past 10 years, I’ve served as director of community engagement and district initiatives for Collier County Public Schools.

Through it all, I’ve seen NCEF’s benefit to the students is immeasurable.

In my role with the school district, I bring attention to the educational efforts and needs of our schools. Recently, I discovered the school’s staff had concerns

about the student’s mental health, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. NCEF took the concern seriously. Thanks to its ability to build connections between organizations, the team was able to call upon a mental health professional to provide training to staff members. It was an immediate, mobilized response to a growing need. It’s clear NCEF makes a difference, not just with children, but with organizations that support them, paving the way for them to communicate and help each other.

Professionally, Morse has worked for various NCEF grantees, such as Guadalupe Center and Boys & Girls Club of Collier County; her 12-year-old daughter has sought care from the NCEFgrantee Avow Kids, which helps children grieve.

Support NCEF’s Mission

Naples Winter Wine Festival’s online auction pairs with community partners to offer insidery experiences at local institutions. Since its inception, the online auction has raised more than $2 million for Collier County kids. Don’t miss your chance to bid on these stellar lots at nwwfonlineauction.com from January 27 to February 7.

SLIP AWAY TO SONOMA

Make your way to Sonoma County’s Knights Bridge Winery for a VIP winery and cave tour for up to six people. Peruse the new state-of-the-art facility and cave, pausing for an exclusive barrel tasting. You’ll be among the first to sample the not-yet-bottled Draco Dormiere before taking a seat for an intimate, guided tasting in the art-lined salon. The winner and their guests then linger over an alfresco lunch in the olive grove at the private residence of Knights Bridge owners Kelley and Jim Bailey. The private chef prepares a meal of fresh, seasonal and local ingredients paired with library vintages. Once you’re home, you can savor the experience with a magnum of the 2007 Knights Bridge Cabernet Sauvignon, a souvenir of your time in wine country.

WALK ON THE WILD SIDE

Sure, you’ve heard of a night at the museum, but how about a private dinner at the zoo? The winning bidder and five guests dine with the president and CEO of Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens, Jack Mulvena, before throwing on a pair of night vision goggles for a personal tour along the paved paths of the 43-acre conservation zoo and historic botanical garden. The tour gets you up close and personal with some of the animals. Continue exploring the zoo for the next year with a membership (one per couple) that includes complimentary admission to the Conservation Lecture Series and discounts on Camp WILD for kids.

FEAST ITALIANSTYLE

Italy is the land of trattorie, beloved for casual, family-style dining. Barbatella, in Old Naples, embraces this rustic, regionally defined cuisine that centers on tradition over trends. For those who had to cancel international trips this year, Barbatella brings a taste of the Italian spirit to Naples with a multicourse, family-style dinner with wine pairings from their celebrated cellar for the winner and up to 19 friends. Eat your way through the restaurant’s star dishes, from antipasto platters to wood-fired pizzas to short rib ravioli, before ending with desserts, like Sicilian cannoli and a traditional grandmother’s cake.

SAIL INTO SUNSET

We know there are few better ways to experience Naples than by being on the water. That’s why one lucky winner takes nine friends on a three-hour sunset cruise aboard a 76-foot Sunseeker Tempus Fugit motor yacht. The trip is courtesy Exclusive Yachts, a by-invitation-only membership company, known for its on-demand experiences in some of the world’s dreamiest locales. Three top-tier crew members greet you and your guests with a welcome reception of Veuve Clicquot Champagne and hors d’oeuvres before you set out from the Naples City Dock for a personalized party and cruise.

GOLF WITH THE PROS

Add in your $10,000 bid for the chance to putt alongside the pros at NCEF’s third-annual Golf Fore Kids Pro-Am 18-hole tournament, which takes place at The Old Collier Golf Club this spring.

Start the day with a casual lunch and golf clinic on the driving range before hitting the course and celebrating your (Fingers crossed!) victory with dinner, served alongside a stellar selection of wines. Not only does your bid buy you a coveted place at the tournament, you’ll also be able to share the evening with a guest.

BECOME A PATRON

Attend the Naples Winter Wine Festival—and bid generously. Every dollar raised under the tent goes to help the kids.

WINE DOWN, BID UP!

From January 27 to February 7, take part in the online auction at nwwfonlineauction.com

BECOME A SPONSOR

Underwrite the festival or contribute in-kind services.

DONATE AN AUCTION LOT

Share an exclusive, one-of-a-kind travel package, jewelry piece or wine lot.

VOLUNTEER

Be one of the more than 300 people who work behind the scenes to help make the festival a success.

DONATE ONLINE

Go to napleswinefestival.com/ donation to make a one-time or recurring gift.

MAKE THE NCEF PART OF YOUR LEGACY

Consider naming the NCEF as a beneficiary in your will or estate to leave an impactful gift for the children of Collier County.