The 24th annual, world-famous Naples Winter Wine Festival kicks off this weekend, raising funds that benefit local children’s charities.

And the event serves a significant purpose for Collier County because not one penny of the $1.4 billion collected from Collier County’s tax dollars goes to social services for anyone at any age.

Concurrently, Collier ranks second among Florida’s 67 counties with the most significant wealth disparities among residents.

In 2023, Naples Children & Education Foundation (NCEF) ― the nonprofit that launched the Festival ― distributed a record-breaking $25.6 million in proceeds distributed to 49 children’s charities in Collier County.

Through the years, $269 million has been raised affecting 300,000 local kids.

Since NWWF’s 2001 debut, “Wine Spectator” magazine notes the Festival is America’s top wine charity auction.

This year’s theme is “Generosity in Full Bloom.”

If you’ve never been, here’s what to know.

The traditional components of the three-day event include fun, food and copious wine from the world’s best vintners.

The schedule is as follows:

Jan 26. is Meet the Kids Day which precedes the Vintners Lunch this year at Artis—Naples.

At night, attendees dine at a “Vintner Dinner” with meals featuring the world’s most prestigious fine wines. This year’s designated “Honored Vintner” is Veronique Boss-Drouhin.

The food is prepared by celebrity chefs, such as Tom Colicchio from “Top Chef”.

Interestingly, as reported by our affiliate Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, the upcoming season of the show is being filmed in Wisconsin, which is home to the Festival’s 2024 “Chef de Cuisine” Paul Bartolotta.

The renowned auction at The Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón, begins on Jan. 27, with 50 astonishing lots available for bidding, offering unique access to the very best life has to offer. One standout lot is a week-long Mediterranean cruise for twelve guests aboard former Google CEO Eric Schmidt’s impressive 312-foot superyacht M/Y Whisper, complete with a 27-member crew to attend to every need.

Prior to the auction, chefs from other Ritz-Carlton locations and J.W. Marriott’s resorts will showcase delectable treats. Outdoor tents are set up in a food festival style, albeit much more luxurious.

The auction’s highlight for this reporter in 2023 was seeing the divine Sela Ward, whose headshot was on my phone to inspire my stylist at the hair salon. I still hope Ward didn’t think it was too creepy to share my phone photo with her.

Post-auction Saturday caps off with a party at the resort.

On Jan. 28, Sunday brunch at The Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón, wraps up the celebration.

Ticket prices for 2024 start at $17,000 for two to attend. “Jeroboam” packages for four to attend are $40,000.

The Vintage Cellar wine-centric luncheon at Bleu Provence for 40 on Jan. 25 requires a separate ticket purchase.

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The suggested dress code is resort casual, but many glam it up for the festivities.

What will this year bring? Although funds are distributed to the charities in March, we’ll report live from the auction this weekend and keep readers posted at naplesnews.com.

Food and restaurant writer Diana Biederman is covering the Festival this weekend and will wear the same dress as last year, a Michael Kors Collection shift scored on Poshmark for $100.