naples winter

Naples Wine Festival Raises $14 Million

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Wine, Auctions

This year's Naples Wine Festival didn't top last year's record of $15.6 million but $14 million isn't too shabby in this economy. The Florida festival always brings the big spenders. Tickets to the festival cost $7,500 per couple but the real money, which is all donated to less fortunate families and children, comes the extravagant auction items. Some of the high-end wine lots included $190,000 for a three-liter bottle of 1990 Vega Sicilia, plus a visit to the winery, $220,000 for a case of 1961 Bordeaux and $240,000 for six magnums of Screaming Eagle cabernet and two commemorative Harley Davidson motorcycles and gear. The festival also always features high-end cars. This year Mr and Mrs Monte Ahuja bid $450,000 for the rights to own the first U.S.-delivered Bentley Brooklands coupe. The auction also features walk-on parts in television shows, front-row seats at fashion shows and trip to the Oscars. Perhaps what's most amazing about this event is that all that money comes from just 500 guests bidding on over 70 lots. Over eight years the auction has raised nearly $70-million for children and families.

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