Naples Wine Festival

The Naples Winter Wine Festival is charity wine auction in Naples, Florida  that takes place this year from February 4-6.  The event combines a live auction with dinners catered by celebrity chefs such as Tyler Florence who hosts Food 911 on the Food Network.  Last year's event raised $7.67 million for local charities. The trustees of the event donate large amounts of money and lots, including trips on private yets and yachts, to the auction.  At last year's auction one bidder paid $190,000 for a lot of 1997 Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve signed by members of the Mondavi family and with dinner with Robert Mondavi.  Naples is a second-home community for many wealthy executives and the festival is an elite gathering for big spenders. Many of the trustees open their homes to host the dinners.   Couples pay $5,000 to attend the auction and a vintner dinner.