“ We are thrilled to announce that Count Louis-Michel and Countess Constance Liger- Belair are this year ’ s Honored Vintners for the 25th Naples Winter Wine Festival ,” expressed Scott Lutgert , 2025 Vintner Committee member . “ Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair is celebrated for producing some of the most sought-after wines in the world . Their presence at our Silver Anniversary Festival guarantees yet another extraordinary weekend filled with exceptional wine and food .”
Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair has a long-documented history of wine production with many generations of family operation . After the sale of the estate in 1933 , Count Michel , the grandfather of Louis-Michel , and his brother Just , a young priest , joined together to buy back La Romanée , les Reignots and les Chaumes , whose management was then entrusted to local winegrowers .
When he was eight years old , Louis- Michel told his parents of his intention to settle later in Vosne-Romanée . His father informed him that he could only take over the Domaine if he became an engineer . Louis-Michel then pursued scientific studies , graduated as an agricultural engineer , and earned a Master ’ s Degree in wine business and a degree in oenology from the University of Dijon .
Liger-Belair took over control of all aspects of production , from the vine to the bottle , in 2000 bringing to all the vines and wines the same care from Villages to Grands
Crus appellations .
Today , with his wife , Constance , and their three children , Liger-Belair grows 14.5 hectares ( 25.9461 acres ) of vines in Vosne- Romanée , Nuits-Saint-Georges , Flagley- Echezeaux and Vougeot . They produce Grand Cru and Premier Cru wines from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes which are known for their complexity , roundness and depth . Many of their wines are consistently rated 96 points and above , including the highly regarded La Romanée Grand Cru . All vines are managed using certified organic and biodynamic viticultural methods .
“ I am pleased to be named as this year ’ s Honored Vintner for the Naples Winter Wine Festival which has built a reputation over the past 25 years as one of the world ’ s most prestigious charity wine auctions , all the more so because , over the same 25-year period , Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair , created at the same time as the Festival , has joined the ranks of the world ’ s greatest wine estates ,” said Liger-Belair . “ What is even more gratifying to me , though , is the lasting impact that this event has on im-
proving the lives of at-risk and underprivileged children in the community .”
The 25th annual NWWF comes following the record-breaking event in January 2024 during which over $ 33 million was raised . Funds are distributed by NCEF via grants to individual nonprofits and multipartner , multi-year strategic initiatives focusing on the well-being of the whole child , including early learning , healthcare , hunger , mental health , oral health , out-of-school time and vision .
Festival guests will once again join in this charitable mission in 2025 as they bid on incredible , one-of-a-kind experiences during the famed live auction , part of a weekend that will also feature intimate dinners in elegant , private homes and settings showcasing world-class food and wine .
The weekend will pay homage to the past while looking forward to the future . As a nod to the 25th anniversary , this year ’ s Festival will be led by a team of several NCEF Trustees , all of whom have previously chaired the NWWF , including some who were involved in the very first Festival in 2001 .
Ticket packages for the 2025 Naples Winter Wine Festival start at $ 17,500 per couple for a Double Magnum package and $ 40,000 for two couples to experience a Jeroboam Package . For additional information , please visit : napleswinefestival . com / aboutthe-festival .
About Naples Winter Wine Festival
The Naples Winter Wine Festival ( NWWF ), one of the world ' s most prestigious charity wine auctions , offers a weekend of unforgettable memories . Guests enjoy world-class food and wine during intimate dinners in elegant , private homes and other landmark settings throughout Naples and are invited to bid on once-in-a-lifetime travel and wine experiences during an electrifying live auction . Since its inaugural event in 2001 , the NWWF has raised almost $ 302 million , making a profound difference in the lives of hundreds of thousands of children in Collier County . About Naples Children & Education Foundation The Naples Children & Education Foundation ( NCEF ), the founding organization of the Naples Winter Wine Festival , is improving the educational , emotional and health outcomes of underprivileged and at-risk children . Through its annual grants and strategic initiatives , NCEF has impacted close to 90 of the most effective nonprofits in the local community , providing 350,000 children with the services and resources they need to excel . NCEF ' s unique approach , which emphasizes collaboration between organizations and bridges public and private resources , has become a blueprint for how to transform a community , one issue at a time .
For additional information on the Naples Children & Education Foundation or the Naples Winter Wine Festival , contact Lisa Juliano at lisa @ napleswinefestival . com or 239-514-2239 .
PORTFOLIO MAGAZINE 27