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2020 NWWF unveils roster for its milestone anniversary


ROTHSCHILD

ROTHSCHILD

The Naples Winter Wine Festival announced that the 2020 Honored Vintner will be France’s acclaimed Saskia de Rothschild of Domaines Barons de Rothschild Lafite and Chef de Cuisine will be Chicago superstar Sarah Grueneberg of Monteverde Restaurant and Pastificio. Both the vintner and chef will be recognized for their legacy and innovation in the food and wine industry during NWWF’s 20th annual event, themed “Celebrate: 20 Years of Cheers!” on Jan. 24-26, 2020, at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples.

As the Honored Vintner and Chef de Cuisine, Ms. de Rothschild and Ms. Grueneberg will set the stage for a weekend of unique, once-ina lifetime wine and culinary experiences alongside an impressive line-up of the world’s most acclaimed vintners, chefs and master sommeliers hailing from six countries. Boasting an impressive collection of more than 12 James Beard Winners, this year’s roster includes notable vintners such as Piero Antinori, Ann Colgin, Olivier Krug and Laurent Ponsot, along with chefs Thomas Keller, Emeril Lagasse, Donald Link and Charlie Palmer.

GRUENEBERG

GRUENEBERG

“Year after year I have been impressed to see the impact that a charity wine event like the Naples Winter Wine Festival can have on the lives of hundreds of children,” said Ms. de Rothschild. “I’m humbled to have been selected as the Honored Vintner for this year’s festival and look forward to having the chance to share some of our family’s wines with an audience of passionate collectors and wine lovers.”

“Saskia is the perfect choice to be our 2020 Honored Vintner as she is helping continue the long legacy of Domaines Barons de Rothschild Lafite flourish in a new age,” said 2020 festival co-chair Joe Masterson. “We’re honored to have her with us during the 20th anniversary of the Naples Winter Wine Festival to help us celebrate our past and solidify our future.”

This year marks Ms. de Rothschild’s first time attending NWWF and Ms. Grueneberg’s third time participating in the Festival as a celebrity chef. The recognized vintner and chef will join an additional 31 vintners and 19 chefs to help raise funds for underprivileged children of Collier County. Every dollar raised under the tent during NWWF will be given to the Naples Children and Education Foundation, the founding organization behind NWWF, and distributed to local organizations and strategic initiatives that provide the programming needed to build a better future for the children of the community.

A winning bid is celebrated at the 2019 Naples Winter Wine Festival “Joy to the World” auction held in January at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort in Naples. Proceeds from the Festival benefit the Naples Children & Education Foundation. Since its inception in 2001, the Naples Winter Wine Festival has raised more than $191 million for children in need. ERIC STRACHAN / FLORIDA WEEKLY

A winning bid is celebrated at the 2019 Naples Winter Wine Festival “Joy to the World” auction held in January at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort in Naples. Proceeds from the Festival benefit the Naples Children & Education Foundation. Since its inception in 2001, the Naples Winter Wine Festival has raised more than $191 million for children in need. ERIC STRACHAN / FLORIDA WEEKLY

“After participating in the Naples Winter Wine Festival for many years with so many iconic chefs at the helm, I am extremely humbled to be selected as the 2020 Chef de Cuisine,” said Ms. Grueneberg. “This festival is one of my favorites as it brings together some of the best chefs and vintners for an important cause, and it’s fantastic to see the positive impact that the festival continues to have on the community.”

“We’re excited to have Sarah back with us this year and appreciate how dedicated she has been to the festival over the last few years,” said 2020 festival co-chair Nancy Masterson.

As a trailblazing woman in the industry, she has paved the way for many future female chefs around the world and we’re honored to have her continued support in our cause.”

NCEF will be kicking off the weekend’s festivities by hosting its annual

Meet the Kids Day,” where guests will have a chance to meet children who have received resources and support from NCEF funds and see how their involvement has positively impacted the community. During the event, four handselected vintners will be pouring some of their best wines to give guests a taste of what’s to come throughout the weekend.

This year’s Meet the Kids Day luncheon vintners include:

  • Vanessa and Henry Cornell of Cornell Vineyards in California
  • The Lunelli Family of Ferrari Trento in Italy
  • Kathryn and Jeremy Green of Grace Family Vineyards in California
  • Christopher Strieter of Senses in California

The weekend will also include a number of intimate Vintner Dinners hosted by festival trustees in private homes and landmark settings throughout Naples where guests will enjoy beautifully curated multi-course dinners and wine pairings with award-winning chefs and vintners.

This year’s participating vintners include:

  • Daphne and Bart Araujo of Accendo Cellars in California
  • Marilisa Allegrini of Allegrini in Italy
  • The Francis Rooney Family of Bodega 202 in Spain
  • Jean-Charles Boisset of Boisset Collection in California
  • Elisabetta Gnudi of Borgo Scopeto and Caparzo in Italy
  • Barbara Banke and Chris Carpenter of Cardinale and Lokoya Winery in California
  • Laura Catena of Catena Zapata in Argentina
  • Blakesley and Cyril Chappellet of Chappellet Vineyards in California
  • Nicolas Glumineau of Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande in France
  • Alfred Tesseron of Château Pontet-Canet in France
  • Cliff Lede of Cliff Lede Vineyards in California
  • Ann Colgin of Colgin Cellars in California
  • Raphaël Reybier of Cos d’Estournel of France
  • Honored Vintner: Saskia de Rothschild of Domaines Barons de Rothschild Lafite in Bordeaux, France
  • Eve and Erwan Faiveley of Domaine Faiveley in France
  • Jean-Nicolas Méo of Domaine Méo-Camuzet in France
  • Grace and Ken Evenstad of Domaine Serene in Oregon and Château de la Crée in France
  • Valerie Boyd and Jeff Gargiulo of Gargiulo Vineyards in California
  • Olivier Krug of Krug Champagne in France
  • Laurent Ponsot of Laurent Ponsot SAS in France
  • Gilles de Larouzière of Maisons and Domaines Henriot in France
  • Piero Antinori of Marchesi Antinori in Italy
  • Jay Boberg of Nicolas-Jay in Oregon
  • Emily and Paul Michael of Peter Michael Winery in California
  • David Powell of Powell and Son in Australia
  • Will Harlan of PROMONTORY in California
  • David Duncan of Silver Oak Cellars in California
  • Shannon Staglin of Staglin Family Vineyard in California

This year’s celebrity chefs include:

  • Angelo Auriana of The Factory Kitchen in Los Angeles
  • Ashley Christensen of Poole’s Diner in Raleigh, N.C.
  • Dean Fearing of Fearing’s Restaurant in Dallas
  • Chef de Cuisine: Sarah Grueneberg of Monteverde Restaurant and Pastificio in Chicago
  • Lee Hefter of Spago Beverly Hills in Los Angeles with Ari Rosenson of CUT, Beverly Hills in Los Angeles
  • Gavin Kaysen of Spoon and Stable in Minneapolis
  • Thomas Keller of The Surf Club Restaurant in Miami
  • Gerry Klaskala of Aria with Kevin Rathbun of Kevin Rathbun Steak in Atlanta
  • Emeril Lagasse of Emeril’s Restaurant in New Orleans
  • Mike Lata with Jason Stanhope of FIG in Charleston, S.C.
  • Ludo Lefebvre of Trois Mec in Los Angeles
  • Donald Link of Herbsaint Restaurant in New Orleans
  • Tony Mantuano of Spiaggia in Chicago
  • Carrie Nahabedian of Brindille in Chicago
  • Nancy Oakes of Boulevard Restaurant in San Francisco
  • Charlie Palmer of Aureole in New York
  • Richard Reddington of REDD in Rochester, N.Y.
  • Bill Telepan of Oceana in New York
  • Rick Tramonto of Tramonto Cuisine in Chicago
  • Dustin Valette of Valette in Healdsburg, Calif.

Following Friday’s opening festivities, guests will flock to the Festival’s main event, Saturday’s live auction. Ticket holders will have the opportunity to bid on exclusive items ranging from luxury cars to around-the-world trips and private dinners at the world’s most famous wineries. All proceeds from the live auction will benefit charities that improve the physical, emotional and educational lives of Collier County’s underprivileged and at-risk children.

The Naples Winter Wine Festival, one of the world’s most prestigious charity wine auctions, offers a weekend of unforgettable memories. Guests enjoy world-class food and wine during intimate dinners in private homes, and are invited to bid on once-in-a-lifetime travel and wine experiences during an electrifying live auction. Since its inaugural event in 2001, the NWWF has raised more than $191 million, making a profound difference in the lives of thousands of children. Ticket packages to the Naples Winter Wine Festival start at $12,500 per couple. A $30,000 package that includes reserved seating for party of four at a Vintner Dinner and under the auction tent is also available. To inquire about tickets to the festival, contact Barrett Farmer at barrett@napleswinefestival.com or 239-514-2239.

For more information on the 2020 NWWF and related announcements, visit www.napleswinefestival.com. ¦

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