Naples Winter Wine Festival adds new auction live lots

Excitement is building for the 2026 Naples Winter Wine Festival as organizers continue to unveil an expanding slate of rare wine, food and travel experiences that will anchor the event’s highly anticipated live auction later this month.

Now in its 26th year, the Naples Winter Wine Festival will return Jan. 30 through Feb. 1 to The Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón, under the theme Picture This. The festival is one of the world’s most prestigious charity wine auctions, having raised more than $336 million since its inception in 2001 to support programs serving the most vulnerable children in Collier County.

Among the newest auction lots announced are a nine-night journey through Italy’s historic wine regions; seven nights in Paris and Bordeaux hosted by Château Cos d’Estournel and Messika; a 14-night European voyage from London to Spain, including 11 nights aboard Evrima with The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection; and a California experience blending elite basketball and winemaking alongside NBA legends Isiah Thomas and Chris Mullin and Cardinale winemaker Chris Carpenter.

“Our team has worked throughout the year with our generous donors and loyal supporters in curating some truly remarkable wine, food and travel experiences for this year’s live auction,” said Joe Matina, a Naples Children Foundation trustee and auction lot committee member. “We anticipate that these unique experiences will encourage our patrons to bid high and bid often.”

The growing list of offerings reflects the festival’s hallmark blend of luxury travel, exclusive access and rare wines. Highlights include a weeklong Paris and Bordeaux escape featuring private tours of the Paris Opéra Garnier, behind-the-scenes access at Maison Messika’s high jewelry atelier and private tastings and dinners hosted by Château Cos d’Estournel. Another lot pairs a London stay at The Dorchester with a curated cultural itinerary before an 11-night Mediterranean voyage aboard Evrima, with stops spanning England, France, Portugal and Spain.

For bidders drawn to American wine and sports, one experience offers courtside access to a marquee Golden State Warriors home game, followed by private dinners and blending sessions in Napa Valley hosted by Thomas, Mullin and leading figures from Cardinale. Other offerings range from a nine-night Italian itinerary that moves from Verona to Bolgheri and Montalcino, to an Arabian escape with five nights at Bvlgari Resort Dubai, complete with private yacht excursions, desert safaris and fine dining at Michelin-starred restaurants.

Closer to home, a Nashville, Tennessee, experience combines private air travel, a multicourse dinner prepared by a celebrated local chef, wines from The Setting Wines, and an intimate acoustic performance by multiplatinum recording artist Mat Kearney. A Bahamas adventure pairs time aboard the 115-foot M/Y Spirit with a stay in a private Albany residence owned by the festival’s 2026 co-chairs.

“These latest auction lots pair the world’s most exotic travel experiences with the very best in food and wine,” said Valerie Gargiulo, a Naples Children Foundation trustee and auction lot committee member. “All funds raised during the live auction will help us create lasting change by investing in proven programs that transform the lives of the most vulnerable children in our community.”

Ticket packages for the 2026 Naples Winter Wine Festival start at $17,500 per couple for a Double Magnum package and $40,000 for two couples for a Jeroboam package. More information is available at napleswinefestival.com/about-the-festival.

Proceeds from the festival benefit the Naples Children Foundation, which supports educational, emotional and health programs that have impacted more than 385,000 children across Collier County.