Naples Wine Auction 2006 surpasses all previous records, raising nearly $14 million—shows wine as a catalyst for change

The Naples Wine Auction continued to astound us with its record-breaking bids (surpassing the Napa Valley Wine Auction) this year and the good works that are done with the proceeds. Dick and Ann Grace have attended this phenomenally successful charity event since its beginnings six years ago, donating special bottlings of Grace Family Vineyards at each auction.

In fact, the Graces were the first honorary chairs at the first auction. "That first year, three of us visited the single auction recipient, the Boys and Girls Club of Collier County," Dick recalled, musing on the somewhat low-key nature of the giving at that time. "Now we've expanded to over 23 different charity recipients. This year 130 of us visited a number of the outreach beneficiaries. Along the way, we had to turn additional bidders away from the luncheon, which could only seat 130."

A 12-liter, engraved bottle of Grace Family 2003 Cabernet fetched $90,000 in the bidding. The logo of each of the 23 charity recipients was engraved on the hefty bottle. "Naples may be a wealthy community," Dick said, "but there is a vast underserved population there as well made up principally of minorities who work in the agricultural and service industries. It is a privilege to use our wines as a catalyst for improving the lives of the needy."