Diana Biederman | Naples Daily News
Copious wine, food and fun set the tone for Naples Winter Wine Festival’s 24th annual auction on Saturday at The Ritz-Carlton, Tiburon.
A veritable who’s who of world-class vintners, celebrity chefs and the names to know in Naples were all spotted under the tents.
The first famous gent spotted was Ray Isle, “Food & Wine” magazine’s executive wine editor and author of the new book “The World in a Wine Glass.”
Doing double duty as a guest of Knights Bridge’s vintner Kelley Bailey, he’s also part of the Festival’s online auction, teaming with actor Kyle MacLachlan on lot 302’s dinner at Kolomon in New York City.
The package is a four-course wine-pairing dinner prepared by participating Festival chef Markus Gloker.
The wines? From Isle’s famous cellar plus vintages from the “Sex and the City” star’s Pursued by Bear winery.
Read the full article with photos on naplesnews.com.
Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086 to view homes in Naples and surrounding communities.
Diana Biederman | Naples Daily News
This year’s theme is “Generosity in Full Bloom.” The room holds 650, and every guest is encouraged to generously bid on the final “Fund a Need” lot, targeting early learning initiatives with an emphasis on mental health.
How much did this year’s Festival bring in?
A record-breaking $33 million.
Lot 1: Drive a Piece of History and Collect Liquid Legends
Setting the tone for an afternoon, the first lot includes a completely restored 1966 vintage Ford Bronco inspired by the “Barbie” movie. The winning bidder also scores a collection of 39 magnums from each of the 2024 Naples Winter Wine Festival’s participating prestige vintners.
Sold for: $320,000
Lot 2: From the Purity of Pomerol to the Gems of the Caribbean
A night at Château La Conseillante’s Pomerol family estate in Bordeaux for two couples is followed by a week-long Caribbean voyage on the Evrima, part of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection departing via private jet to Barbados with stops in Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. John’s, Antigua, St. Kitts and Virgin Gorda, BVI. This lot includes two double magnums of 2016 Château La Conseillante.
Sold for: $220,000
Read the full story with photos on naplesnews.com.
Kendall Little | Naples Daily News
Dreaming of luxury? Take a look at these two recent real estate listings that just might make your dreams come true.
Two new-construction Port Royal properties in Naples have entered the market. Priced at more than $20 million each, the homes are available for showings.
Let’s take a look inside these brand-new multi-million dollar houses.
3277 Gordon Drive – $20,750,000
HOW MANY BEDS/BATHS? This active listing has six bedrooms, seven full bathrooms, and two partial bathrooms.
HOW MUCH SQUARE FEET: It’s 6,444 square feet.
WHAT KIND OF FLOOR PLAN: Open
HOW MANY GARAGES: 3
WHAT ELSE: Pool and spa
TIMELINE: This house is expected to be completed by Spring 2024, but you can still speak to the listing agent about additional information or a showing now.
3295 Gordon Drive – $21,000,000
WHAT IS THE STYLE: Coastal Contemporary
HOW MANY BEDS/BATHS: Six bedrooms, six bathrooms, and two partial bathrooms
HOW MANY SQUARE FEET: 6,450 square feet.
WHO DESIGNED IT: MHK. The listing says this is the perfect home to host guests or a large family.
TIMELINE: The home will be completed by Summer 2024, but you can still speak to the listing agent about additional information or a showing now.
View the photo galleries on naplesnews.com.
Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086 to view these and other homes in Port Royal.
Diana Biederman | Naples Daily News
One of my all-time favorite traditions is dinner and a show. When growing up, my parents always paired the two, whether heading to Broadway, the ballet or opera at Lincoln Center.
Fun habits are hard to break. That ― and once I’m out for the night, why not make the most of it?
Tis the season for the performing arts in Collier County, though I wish they were accessible year-round. With that in mind, we’ve created a list featuring several favorite restaurants convenient to Collier County’s best-known venues and players.*
Two tips before heading out:
Given how bananas traffic is right now, allow ample time for delays and finding parking.
Make a reservation and let your server know what time you need to be out, even if you included that info while making a reservation.
Venue: Marco Island Center for the Arts’ Theatre
Venue: The Norris Center, home to the Gulfshore Playhouse
Performers: Opera Naples
The players: TheatreZone
Read the full article and restaurant recommendations for each venue on naplesnews.com.
Find a home convenient to great restaurants and entertainment in southwest Florida. Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.
Laura Layden | Naples Daily News
In the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, Naples saw trophy mansions list at never-before-seen prices.
In March, a sprawling waterfront estate hit the market for more than $174 million in the posh neighborhood of Port Royal.
It’s still for sale.
So, too are other rare luxury properties that had the potential to break Collier County’s record home price of $62 million – set in 2022.
That record broke the previous one by $10 million.
“That’s a testament to the property, and to the market at the time,” said Paul Arpin, the listing agent, with Premier Sotheby’s International Realty. “It’s still the top sale.”
With six bedrooms and 11 bathrooms, the resort-style, Gulf-front retreat, with a living area of more than 11,800 square feet under air, in Aqualane Shores, one of the most coveted neighborhoods in Naples, sold at its asking price.
Admittedly, the uber-luxury home market wasn’t as hot in 2023, Arpin said.
“It’s probably fair to say that the market has taken a break, and it has leveled off,” he remarked. However, 2023 still brought a few whopping sales. In fact, Arpin sold one of the two highest money-getters in Collier County last year, for $32.5 million, no chump change.
Read the full article and view photos on naplesnews.com.
Diana Biederman | Naples Daily News
Alligator hearts and marshmallow?
Combining those two ingredients, plus crackers and snap peas, into a palatable appetizer might stress the most accomplished chefs.
But most aren’t Bicyclette Cookshop’s executive chef/partner Kayla Pfeiffer, who finds her greatest joy and confidence in the kitchen, even when it’s not her own.
Pfeiffer previously served as executive chef at several popular Naples restaurants executing concepts created by others at The French, Bar Tulia at Mercato, and a short stint at PJK Neighborhood Chinese.
The kitchen for this mashup?
Food Network’s set for “Chopped” in New York City. The show is hosted by Ted Allen.
Pfeiffer and her three chef competitors had 15 minutes to figure out what to do with these diverse ingredients and prepare them in a way that would appeal to the show’s three-member judging panel.
Read the full article on naplesnews.com.
Find a home convenient to great restaurants in southwest Florida. Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.
