Attendees arrive ahead of 2025 Naples Winter Wine Festival

Reporter: Maddie Herron
Published: Updated:

The Naples Winter Wine Festival is set to begin on Friday night, marking its silver anniversary.

The event, known for its fine wine, great food, and unique auction packages, aims to benefit children in Collier County.

The festival is not only about supporting children but also about celebrating wine.

“We rolled out the red carpet for the vintners here for the winter wine festival to benefit the Naples children Education Foundation,” said Chris Rozanski, Executive Director of the Naples Airport Authority.

Two planes full of winemakers arrived at the Naples Airport Thursday. Water cannons, a red carpet, and the Naples High School drum line are prepared to welcome them.

“I think it was a long flight for them, so perhaps they were relieved to get out of the aircraft, but also excited to see people welcoming them here,” said Rozanski.

Elisabetta Gnudi and her daughter Alessandra Angelini flew all the way from Tuscany for the festival.

“It’s exciting,” said Gnudi. “It’s always the event of the year.”

While the tasty treats and luxury wines are out of this world, that’s not the reason they traveled across it.

“It makes you feel part of something important, that you’re actually really helping people, and you really get a feel of it,” said Angelini. “So it’s very, very impactful.”

Last year, the festival raised a record-breaking $33.2 million.

The funds were distributed to 57 nonprofits focused on helping children in the local community.

The event promises to be a significant occasion for both wine enthusiasts and supporters of children’s causes in the area.

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