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Here’s the press release from the Naples Wine Festival. 

Charity Wine Auction Raises $14 Million in Four Hours

NAPLES, Fla. (Jan. 26, 2008) – The Naples Winter Wine Festival raised today $14 million under the auction tent for children’s charities, making it once again the most successful charity wine auction in the world. During the four-hour auction, attended by 635 guests at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort in Naples, auction attendees bid on 72 one-of-a-kind, luxury lots, with winning bids ranging from $45,000 to $1 million. All monies raised under the tent go directly to children’s charities.

“Everyone involved in the festival – sponsors, donors, chefs and vintners, trustees, volunteers and guests – helps thousands of children in need through their contributions,” said Don Gunther, 2008 festival chair and Naples Children & Education Foundation trustee. “The festival is truly a labor of love, and its success pays tribute to our theme of Inspiring Tomorrow’s Heroes.”

The million-dollar bid was for an ultimate “star” experience from Staglin Family Vineyard for four people, which included tickets to the Oscars, a walk-on role on Desperate Housewives and Back to You, first class treatment in Hollywood and a movie-star style getaway to Cabo San Lucas. Other high bids included $450,000 for a 2009 Bentley Brooklands Coupe and $350,000 for a 2008 Maserati Gran Turismo.

Among wine lots, 75 bottles of Bordeaux wines from the 2000 vintage raised $220,000. A winning bid of $150,000 captured the auction’s first lot, a collection of 31 magnums of wine – each personally selected and signed by the highly acclaimed vintners participating in this year’s festival. A vertical of Harlan Estate wines from 1990 to 2004 also brought in $220,000.

Fantasy trips and experiences also brought in high bids. A pair of Screaming Eagle motorcycles sold for $240,000, and a trip to the Olympics sold for $350,000.

Since trustees of the NCEF founded the festival in 2001, it has raised more than $69 million to improve the lives of underprivileged and at-risk children in Collier County , Fla.

Festival events began on Friday, with guests experiencing firsthand how festival proceeds benefit needy children. A grant luncheon and wine tasting was followed by intimate vintner dinners at trustees’ homes prepared by famous U.S. chefs and internationally acclaimed vintners. Saturday kicked off with a wine tasting and culinary feast prepared by The Ritz-Carlton chefs from across Florida . A wine-down party Saturday evening will be followed by a Sunday celebration brunch prepared by several WCI Communities’ chefs, with chocolates and desserts prepared by Norman Love , the festival’s first featured chocolatier.

A portion of the funds raised at the 2008 festival will be distributed by NCEF trustees to children’s charities in March, with the remainder held in reserve for longer-term strategic-giving initiatives. For a complete listing of auction lots and additional information about the 2008 Naples Winter Wine Festival, visit www.napleswinefestival.com.

_ -= The Livermore Independent Wine & Technology Resource BackRoadsWine.com =- _


Jonell Modys. Remember that name. She is a force to be reckoned with. As the child of native Floridians, she can rightfully claim to have Florida in her blood. She is passionate about telling the world of this beautiful, unspoiled strech of beach in southwest corner of the state. Her website is the best resource for activities in South Florida. http://www.paradisecoast.com/

An early morning shuttle arrives and Jonell is behind the wheel. The first place we go is Corkscrew Sanctuary. It is the last stand of virgin bald cypress in North America. We are given a guided tour and are amazed at the diversity of birds and plants. It’s amazing to think this could have become yet another golf course. It was not to be. many older folks remember raising funds to spare the trees from the axe. Today, the park has a new visitors center and a new program called “Corks and Storks” which seeks to combine the fundraising efforts of wine lovers with the need to protect what is noting less than “The real Florida.” http://www.corkscrew.audubon.org/

We leave the park and head to Marco Island. We are brought aboard a boat which isn’t just a tourist boat but a vessel which allows scientists study dolphins by carefully photographing their dorsal fins and comparing them over many years. There have been dolphins sighted for some twenty years using this method. One dolphin was named “Victor” untill he was seen with a calf and then Victor became Victoria. Darwin too is now renamed “Darwina.” Such is life in the underwater world of dolphins. The animals follow the boat and clearly play in the wake. They are so much smarter than people realize. Tourists scream aloud as they jump over the boat wake. www.dolphin-explorer.com

Capt. Chris Desmond drove he boat. He created the project.
Kent Morse, is a naturalist and dolphin researcher. He oversees the data collection, logging and evaluation of information and photo evedence. He was the one taking photos on our trip. They’ve been doing this now
for about two years. The study is called the Ten Thousand Islands Dolphin Project. The boat is the Dolphin Explorer. The company that put the boat and tour portion of the project together is Sea Excursions. They handle bookings for
the public that is alled to go along with the researchers. Jonell Modys said, “The Dolphin Explorer cruise gives visitors the chance to participate in a meaningful scientific study of our resident bottlenose dolphin population. Captain Chris and Kent also strike a perfect balance between providing educational information to passengers and giving them a fun and memorable ex perience.

We headed back to the hotel and then are off to see the Naples Grande Resort and Club. http://www.naplesgranderesort.com/ One cannot imagine how beautiful the interior but it is safe to say this is the most beautiful, modern hotel in Naples, period. The food is so beautiful that it is hard to bite into. I find myself photographing the sculptural qualities of the food served before I bite into it.

A limo ride away brings us to Sale e Pepe on Marco Island which was a wonderful, amazing evening. We had breathtaking appetizers lie roasted jumbo shrimp served with sauteed yellow, and red pepper and lobster sauce.

The white wine was Pascal Jolivet, Sancerre, Loire 2006. The main course was roasted lamb loin served with zuchinni with mint and coffee reduction. The dessert was simply to die for. Enough said. I run out of words to describe the wine. It was like a trip to an Italian Villa.

_ -= The Livermore Independent Wine & Technology Resource BackRoadsWine.com =- _

I have arrived in Florida and I have just barely unpacked when JoNell Modys from the Convention and Visitors Bureau calls and reminds we that dinner reservations have been made and not to miss out. I sense a memorable evening and I jump in the shower and iron my shirt. We meet in the Lobby of the hotel and are off. Our destination is Trilogy restaurant on Fifth Avenue. http://www.trilogyofnaples.com/ Angela Bryant and Chris Mordi, also CVB representatives are there to drive us.

In the 1970’s. Fifth Avenue was a shopping district of one story, small boutiques. Since then, a number of galleries, restaurants and taverns have moved in finally giving Neapolitans a place to enjoy the evenings. Today, it has lights up, beautiful landscaping and is crowded. It is the spot for nightlife in Naples.

As we approach Trilogy, it is crowded however JoNell has made reservations and our large secluded table awaits.

I could go into the menu but I can’t begin to do justice in words so I will say this. Go there and listen to the waitress. She can speak at length regarding everything they serve. That alone lets one know they are part of a well run establishment.

When the wine was served, One Cabernet and a Chardonnay were presented. I usually begin with a light white with my salad and as the waiter is pouring, I am astonished to the the familiar WENTE logo. I almost fall out of my seat. What are the odds that Livermore’s greatest wine dynasty would be in Naples to greet me? It is an auspicious sign.