Naples Children & Education Foundation, founders of the Naples Winter Wine Festival

The lineup of world-renowned vintners joining us during the #NWWF25 includes longtime NCEF supporters and founding Trustees Valerie Boyd & Jeff Gargiulo of Gargiulo Vineyards in Oakville, California. Valerie Boyd & Jeff Gargiulo, lifelong farmers, turned their passion for agriculture into a dream of creating a premier wine estate. Inspired by Valerie’s Napa Valley cousins, Belle and Barney Rhodes, they purchased their first Oakville vineyard, Money Road Ranch, in 1992, followed by 575 OVX in 1999. Committed to producing world-class Cabernet Sauvignon, the Gargiulos chose Oakville for its reputation as one of the best regions for the varietal. Their first vintage was in 2000, and today, Gargiulo Vineyards is recognized as a top producer of Cabernet Sauvignon, with their family continuing to pursue excellence.

Many children experience anxiety about going to the dentist, which can make routine dental care stressful or even traumatic. For some children, especially those who require more intensive dental procedures or who have special needs, visiting the dentist can feel overwhelming. These challenges can create barriers to receiving necessary care, making it difficult to address oral health issues early. To help ensure that children receive the safest and most comfortable treatment, some dentists offer sedation options tailored to pediatric patients. A Blueprint Partner, the Healthcare Network offers two types of sedation: nitrous oxide (commonly known as "laughing gas") and IV sedation. Additionally, another Oral Health Initiative partner, the UF College of Dentistry offers IV sedation days at the NCEF Pediatric Dental Center. Both organizations administer IV sedation in collaboration with Pediatric Dental Anesthesia Associates, a leading pediatric medical anesthesia group. These services ensure that children, especially those with higher needs or dental anxiety, can receive necessary dental treatments in a safe, pain-free environment.

Sommelier highlights! The Featured Sommeliers that will join us during the 2025 Naples Winter Wine Festival include Pablo Braida, MS of Estate Wine Brokers in Augusta, Georgia. Pablo Braida is a consulting sommelier and the VP of Customer Relations working for Estate Wine Brokers. He grew up in the small town of Cordoba, Argentina, and after a brief career in accounting he decided he wanted to see the world. Work in hospitality led him to London, where he first discovered the world of fine wine. In 2015 he moved to Napa Valley and immediately began his path into the Court of Master Sommeliers. In 2022 he passed the Master Sommelier examination, becoming the first Argentinian, and third South American, to achieve the title of Master Sommelier.

The lineup of world-renowned vintners joining us during the #NWWF25 includes Giovanni Gaja of GAJA in Barbaresco, Italy. Located in Piedmont, Italy, the GAJA winery is renowned for producing some of the world’s most coveted wines. Founded with the purpose of creating wines that reflect their unique terroir, GAJA’s winemaking legacy spans five generations. Angelo Gaja revolutionized winemaking in the region by introducing single-vineyard wines, Bordeaux varietals, and barrique aging, leading Barbaresco to international acclaim and elevating Italian wines globally.

T-Minus 3 months! The 2025 Naples Winter Wine Festival is 3 months away! Proceeds from the Festival benefit the Naples Children & Education Foundation, whose vision is to make a profound and sustaining difference in the quality of children’s lives. The #NWWF will take place January 24-26, 2025 at The Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón. As a nod to the 25th anniversary, the weekend will pay homage to the past while looking forward to the future.

NWWF25 Celebrity Chef highlights! Today we are featuring Rogelio Garcia of Auro in Calistoga, California.  As executive chef of Auro at Four Seasons Napa Valley, Rogelio Garcia showcases Napa’s terroir and ingredients in a Michelin-starred menu, paired with world-class wines. Auro, nestled in Calistoga’s vineyards, quickly earned accolades like Wine Spectator’s 2023 "Best of Award of Excellence" and a Michelin Star just eight months after opening. A Top Chef alum and James Beard finalist, Garcia will soon release Convivir: Modern Mexican Cooking in California’s Wine Country. Born in Mexico City and raised in Napa, he worked at top restaurants like The French Laundry and earned Michelin stars in San Francisco before returning to create an unforgettable dining experience at Auro.

October is Dental Hygiene Month, and in recognition, the NCEF is highlighting the critical need for oral health care among our youth. Good dental hygiene is essential not only for maintaining a healthy smile but also for preventing serious health complications that can arise from untreated dental issues. Unfortunately, tooth decay is one of the most common childhood diseases, and when left untreated, it can worsen over time, causing pain, infection and difficulties with eating, speaking and learning. Untreated tooth decay doesn’t just affect the mouth; it can lead to broader health problems. Infections from decayed teeth can spread to other parts of the body, potentially causing issues like heart disease, diabetes and respiratory infections. It is vital to ensure that children receive regular dental checkups and proper oral care to prevent these serious health concerns. By addressing oral health early, we can support the overall wellbeing of our youth and help them lead healthier, happier lives.

Sommelier highlights! The Featured Sommeliers that will join us during the 2025 Naples Winter Wine Festival include Gillian Ballance, MS of Treasury Wine Estates in Sonoma, California. Gillian Ballance MS, DWS, has over 20 years of experience in the top fine dining restaurants, hotels and resorts across the U.S. She began her career at NYC's iconic Rainbow Room under Andrea Immer Robinson, later working at Windows of the World, where she gained invaluable experience in a 100,000-bottle cellar. Her impressive career includes roles as wine director at Bacara Resort and Cavallo Point, and wine consultant for Napa Valley’s Bottega. Now the national education manager at Treasury Wine Estates, Ballance is also one of only 30 women worldwide to hold the Master Sommelier title and sits on the James Beard Foundation Beverage Advisory Board.

Children enrolled at Manatee Middle School in South Naples are benefiting from enhanced healthcare services thanks to a pilot project funded by NCEF. The school-based clinic offers students well-being exams and medical attention when they are sick, with parental consent. Research shows school-based clinics in low-income communities help children achieve not only improved health but is a factor for them performing better in school. The project, spearheaded by Blueprint Partner Healthcare Network aims to ensure students receive essential care directly on campus. NCEF’s funding plays a pivotal role in advancing this initiative, supporting the health and well-being of children across Collier County. As a pilot project, the clinic’s success will be evaluated with the potential to expand into other schools, drawing on national best practices to improve student health care throughout the district.

NWWF25 Celebrity Chef highlights! Today we are featuring Neal Fraser of Redbird in Los Angeles, California. Chef Neal Fraser, owner of Redbird and Vibiana in downtown Los Angeles, has built an impressive culinary career that started at age 20. After training at The Culinary Institute of America and working with renowned chefs like Wolfgang Puck and Thomas Keller, Fraser and his partner Amy Knoll opened Redbird, where he showcases modern American cuisine inspired by LA's diverse cultures. Located in the historic Vibiana rectory, Redbird has received many accolades, including a spot on Jonathan Gold's “101 Best Restaurants” list. Fraser also leads over 100 events annually at Vibiana, while being active in charity work and cycling events like Chef’s Cycle for No Kid Hungry.