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Naples Wine Festival Sets World RecordExclusive World-Class Wine Event Draws Generous BiddersBy Denise ReynoldsA sparkling jewel set in Florida’s west coast, with its near perfect weather, pristine beaches, and the most golf courses per capita of anywhere in the nation, Naples is the site of a spectacular wine festival that attracts some of the country’s most prominent bidders and collectors of fine wine. Visiting royalty, scarce lots of wine, big-ticket outings, and star chefs and vintners are all part of the allure, orchestrated to guarantee that invited guests will block their jam-packed social calendars to be part of this renowned three-day event. On Friday night, intimate dinners where celebrity vintners from Napa to Europe team up with some of the world’s top toques are held simultaneously at over a dozen lavish private homes around Naples. The all-star line-up includes highly acclaimed New York chefs Daniel Boulud, Alfred Portale, and television favorite Mario Batali, along with Tom Colicchio, Bon Appetit Chef of the Year. Top vintners pour their coveted wines, giving dinner guests the opportunity to taste highly allocated wines normally available only to those on the winery’s elite mailing list: Wines so rare that—even if money were no object—the average collector might never have access to them. Andrea Imner, voted “Best Sommelier in the United States,” is an honored guest of the festival as well. Weekend festivities conclude on Sunday with a glorious Celebration Brunch, the perfect complement to Saturday’s highly anticipated live auction, which features exceptional wines, unique food experiences, and one-of-a-kind travel opportunities.
Here’s a look at what money can buy: The high bid, Lot 43: Seven 6-liter bottles of Haut Brion and LaMission Haute Brion plus a private tour, tasting and winemaker lunch, sells for an astounding $350,000 to auction chair Shirlene Elkins, her husband Bob, and an anonymous trustee. For $240,000 dollars, Linda and Jim Malone are now lifetime members of the Napa Valley Reserve, which includes 50 cases of Napa Valley Reserves, 50 nights at Meadowood and the chance to make their own private label. Colgin and Crystal - a 3-liter bottle of Colgin 1994 Cabernet Sauvignon Herb Lamb Vineyard with a William Yeoward engraved crystal double magnum decanter and 12 tasting glasses draw an amazing $210,000. Love golf? For a winning bid of $210,000 4 golf fanatics will fly by private jet to Augusta, Georgia. There they will experience the final weekend of the Masters Golf Tournament at the prestigious Augusta National. What would you pay for one of the hottest cult wines? How about $200,000 for a 3-liter bottle (the equivalent of four regular bottles) of 1999 Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon in a special edition wood box. Most driving enthusiasts will have to wait a while longer to sit in the driver's seat of the new 6-series BMW 645 Ci Coupe. One lucky bidder wins the keys for $200,000. The Fantastic Four—750ml, 1.5L, 3L, and 6L bottlings of the acclaimed 1997 Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve—signed by Robert, Tim, Michael, and Rob, Jr. goes for a whopping $190,000. But that's not all: Honored Vintner Robert Mondavi invites the winner to dine with he and his wife at their Napa home. Want to get in on the auction action next year? For more information, visit www.napleswinefestival.com or call (239) 514-2239. The Ritz Carlton Golf Resort offers casually luxurious on-site accommodations for festival guests. For rates, contact: Ritz Carlton Golf Resort Image picture credits: Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3 Photo 4 |
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With
nary a winery in sight, the festival Trustees must rely on their unbridled
passion and creativity to lure top talent and to this quiet Florida
community. Vintners and proprietors from top wine estates are flown into
Naples by private jets, underwritten by major sponsor Net Jets. Under the
auction tent, pitched on the magnificent grounds of the Ritz-Carlton Golf
Resort, the stage is set for the arrival of the patrons. Tambourines in
florescent colors grace chairs surrounding tables draped with sheer
citrus-hued fabric. Wooden wine crates stocked with open bottles of enticing
vintages anchor centerpieces strewn with vines, while wine glasses radiate
toward each guest like glistening spokes of a wire wheel. Every place
setting includes a pair of maracas, silver confetti dispensers, and colorful
paper fans for keeping your cool when the bidding heats up.
Five
hundred bidders who paid $5000 a ticket to attend are strolling the lawn,
nibbling on delicacies like Warm Rabbit Sachet, Lobster Brochette, and Foie
Gras Crème Brulee. Robert Mondavi, the 2004 Honored Vintner, now 90,
addresses the casually attired crowd, commending them on their unparalleled
enthusiasm and exhorting them to become the greatest wine festival in the
world.
"It's
only money, honey, " quips auctioneer Ann Colgin, "It's just a few pair of
shoes". But even Carrie from Sex and the City can’t snap up Manolo Blahniks
as quickly as these bidders raise their paddles. At the close of each
auction item, oldies tunes like “Hey Big Spender,” “My Boyfriend’s Back,”
and “Take Good Care of My Baby” blare from the sound system as confetti
falls and everyone pauses momentarily to celebrate the winning bidder before
lunging into the next auction lot.
Four
hours later, as the hammer falls on the last auction lot, glasses are raised
for a final toast to what has just become the most successful charity wine
auction in the world. Only four years old, the festival has surpassed last
year's auction take at the prestigious Napa Valley Wine Auction to claim the
number one spot—bringing in a record $6.67 million—with 100% of its auction
proceeds benefiting local children's charities.