Rolls-Royce 2018 Phantom Raises $780K For Charity At Naples Winter Wine Festival

Photo Credit: Rolls-Royce

The annual Naples Winter Wine Festival, one of the most historic and high-grossing charity events in the world, debuted this weekend at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort in Naples, FL. Without fail, the prestigious event garnered an astounding $15.15 million in funds to support the Naples Winter Wine Festival’s founding organization, the Naples Children & Education Foundation (NCEF)—which has supported more than 60 nonprofit agencies in Collier County, Florida, benefiting more than 200,000 children throughout its history.

The impressive Rolls-Royce “Let the Good Times Rolls” Package (Lot 16)—which sold as the highest lot of the entire festival at $780,000—included, of course, the gorgeous first eighth-generation Phantom in a stunning Belladonna Purple. Additionally, the lot included a slot at the coveted 2019 ROBB Report Car of the Year Competition to help select the “2019 Car of the Year” and a curated selection of wine from the renowned Alpha Omega vineyard in Napa Valley. The winners also received a stay at the Meadowood resort for two night while enjoying wine-paired dinners. The lot included an Imperial of 2014 Alpha Omega ERA etched with the Rolls Royce logo and 12-month membership to Alpha Omega’s ERA Elite Wine Club.

Photo Credit: Haute Living

The stunning, bespoke automobile was sold to Jon Mason and his wife Bonnie from Dover, Ohio, who became one of eight owners in the world to get their hands on the exclusive first-release of the ultra-luxe automobile. The new Phantom is a wonderful combination of classic elegance vs. new world luxury as it maintains the signature Phantom body, but encompasses state-of-the-art technology and custom features that make the ride lighter, stiffer, quieter and more technologically-advanced. From custom Arctic White and purple interiors to plush lambs wool carpets, seat massagers, custom galleries and tight steering capabilities—along with an impressive V12 engine—the new Phantom redefines the bounds of the iconic automobile.

Another highlight of the sold-out Festival weekend included a private Vintner dinner on Friday evening. Rolls-Royce and Alpha Omega crafted a gourmet, paired feast at the Ritz Carlton Naples Resort’s The Grill. Dinner featured an outstanding selection of the vineyard’s handcrafted wines including the highlight of the evening—a 6-liter bottle of ERA 2011, Alpha Omega’s flagship wine, beautifully etched with the Rolls-Royce logo for the grand occasion.

Photo Credit: Rolls-Royce

This year’s Festival brought together more than 30 of the world’s highly distinguished wineries with 18 award-winning chefs and a collective eight Michelin Stars, 15 James Beard Awards and wines from over 13 wine producing regions, eight countries and five continents for a series of exclusive, curated dinners. And most importantly, it gave back to the children in need—with a record-high total of $2.3 million raised for the Fund a Need portion of the auction—which goes straight to a carefully selected charity in need.