Naples Winter Wine Festival to Uncork New Decade of Giving Jan. 28 - 30 in Naples, Fla.

Naples, FL, May 05, 2010 --(PR.com)-- The Naples Winter Wine Festival will hold its 11th annual gala Jan. 28 – 30 in Naples, Fla. The festival, founded by trustees of the Naples Children & Education Foundation (NCEF), has raised $82.5 million under the auction tent since 2001 for underprivileged and at-risk children. The festival attracts celebrity chefs and highly acclaimed vintners from around the world.

The theme for the 2011 festival is Uncorking a New Decade. NCEF trustees Bruce and Cynthia Sherman are the event chairpersons. Festivities span three days of social and educational events for 600 guests that include touring children’s charities that benefit from festival proceeds; vintner-hosted wine tastings; intimate dinners hosted at NCEF trustees’ homes, with singular menus prepared by famous chefs accompanied by wines selected and poured by renowned vintners. The festival culminates at The Ritz-Carlton Naples Golf Resort – a founding sponsor of the festival – with a culinary showcase and live auction of one-of-a-kind lots including rare wines and incomparable travel experiences. A wine-down party that evening and celebration Sunday brunch bring the festival to a close.

The Shermans have been NCEF trustees since 2003. Bruce has served on the NCEF board as vice-chairman, grant chair and treasurer. Cynthia has previously served on several festival committees including chef selection, and also chaired the auction-day committee.

Bruce is chairman and chief executive officer of M4 Capital, a private family office, and until his retirement in March 2009, was chief executive officer of Private Capital Management, a firm he founded in 1986. He is also on the board of directors of the Naples Philharmonic. Cynthia was a partner at the New York law firm of Clifford Chance until she retired from practicing law and moved to Naples in 2000. She helped to found the Holocaust Museum of Southwest Florida and its Education Outreach Program for young adults. Cynthia was among the 2008 Women of Achievement honorees named by the Greater Naples American Association of University Women.

Naples Winter Wine Festival proceeds have helped nearly 100,000 children over 10 years through grants to children’s charities and collaborative funding of major projects including a pediatric dental center and early learning center. The festival has been ranked among the most successful charity wine auctions in the nation for the past six years by Wine Spectator and among the top 10 arts and entertainment events by the Luxury Institute.

Festival ticket prices are $7,500 per couple and $20,000 for reserved seating at the same vintner dinner for two couples. For a schedule of 2011 festivities and information about the Naples Winter Wine Festival, please visit www.NaplesWineFestival.com or call 888-837-4919.

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