Splurge or steal? Depends on your mindset—and how the bidding goes. Either way, it’s a lucky day for all who participate in the philanthropically minded Naples Winter Wine Festival’s online auction. Whether you walk away winning a prize that doesn’t set you back much more than the $250 starting bid or if you spend thousands, every cent goes to important services for children in Collier County.
Since its inception in 2015, the online auction has raised more than $500,000. The festival itself is the Gulfshore’s largest annual fundraiser and an exclusive three-day extravaganza to be held Jan. 26-28; it features the world’s finest wines and truly over-the-top, objects-of-your-dreams auction prizes (think: Rolls Royces, trips to the Golden Globes and cases of Krug champagne).
But its open-to-the-public online auction, which is up for preview before it goes live Jan. 15 at 12:01 a.m., has some pretty enticing lots up for grabs. Its calling card is luxuries that are indeed a splurge, but not completely out of reach—like a collection of bottles from the renowned Grgich Hills Estate and a weekend at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples (with dinner at The Grill and a $500 spa credit)—and all have starting bids of $250.
If you happen to want to visit Napa Valley, New York or Atlanta in the coming year, there are some once-in-a-lifetime experiential prizes to boot, including a private wardrobe consultation with a stylist from Saks Fifth Avenue’s Fifth Avenue Club VIP Suites in New York and gift cards there and at the Manolo Blahnik boutique; private lunches and dinners (along with bottles of wine) at some of the most sought-after Napa properties, like Gargiulo Vineyards and Farmhouse Inn; and a weekend epicurean and cultural experience for four in Atlanta featuring James Beard Award-winning chef Linton Hopkins. And let’s not forget the fantastic local prizes, like a private moonlit kayak tour for six at the Conservancy, golf and lunch for four at Old Collier Golf Club, and a luncheon and cooking demo for 20 at Sea Salt.
It’s as easy as registering to bid on the auction’s website and making sure you place your bids before it closes at 11:59 p.m. on Jan. 31.
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