Grape Expectations

Just what surprises does the 2005 festival have in store? Its authors are keeping the audience in suspense: Not one would offer the slightest hint ("If I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise," quips Lutgert.) One thing's for certain. It'll be big. But just like that dinner that took place several years ago, when that group shared wine and enthusiasm around the kitchen counter, it'll be handled, as always, among friends.

A Taste of the Fest

As with most established fund raisers, advanced planning is key; work has already begun on the 2006 Naples Winter Wine Festival. The organization boasts a bevy of volunteers who handle specific, key tasks, and three paid staff members.

The 2005 event is scheduled Feb. 4-6. For $5,000 per couple, guests can participate in the full weekend of activities. To kick off the festival on the 4th, a Friday night, trustee couples will host 17 private vintner dinners in their homes, where celebrity chefs and world-famous winemakers help share in the food and libation. On Saturday, the auction will be held on the lawn of the Ritz-Carlton Tiburón Golf Resort in Naples. Wine and non-wine lots-usually fabulous trips and always an exotic automobile-are auctioned off in a heated live auction. On Sunday, the event closes with a VIP brunch at the Ritz-Carlton.

Though the 2005 auction items are still under wraps, some of last year's highlights illustrate the festival's exclusive offerings.

The highest bid came from the 2004 festival chairpersons, Shirlene and Bob Elkins, and an anonymous bidder. For $350,000, they became proud owners of Lot 43, Chateau Haut-Brion-"Imperial Majesty," consisting of 6.0 liter bottles of Ch. Haut Brion Rouge, Ch. La Mission Haut-Brion, Ch. La Tour Haut-Brion, Ch. Bahans Haut-Brion, La Chapelle de La Mission Haut-Brion, Ch. Laville Haut-Brion, Ch. Haut-Brion Blanc, all from year 2000. The lot also included a visit to the Domaine Clarence Dillon vineyard in France, the surrounding chateaux of Haut-Brion and La Mission Haut-Brion, and a tasting and lunch with the winemaker.

"Tiger, Todd and You!" was a highlight of the 2004 non-wine lots. The golf package for four included passes to the final weekend of the 2004 Masters Tournament at Augusta National. The foursome arrived via private jet from Naples to Augusta, and spent three nights at a private four-bedroom home in the Jones Creek enclave. During the visit, they enjoyed a private dinner in the home, prepared by celebrity chef Todd English of the award-winning Olives restaurant; breakfast for four at the Hospitality House; lunch at the members-only Championship Club; a prime-time table for dinner Saturday evening at T-Bonz Steakhouse; and Sunday champagne brunch at the Championship Club. The winning bid? $210,000.