Before the auction, Dawn Schiff perused a pastry-laden table with her husband, Bob, under a Naples Winter Wine Festival tent.
They are first-time patrons of the annual lavish fundraiser, which happens on the manicured grounds of the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples. The Schiffs live in Cinncinati and own a home in Naples. Their friends' praises persuaded them to join the festival fun this year.
"It's been everything and more," said Dawn Schiff.
The Schiffs attended one of the exclusive dinners on Friday night. They met Steve Spurrier and George Taber.
Spurrier is a a British wine merchant. Taber wrote a book about Spurrier, "Judgment of Paris."
For Bob Schiff, who collects wine, it was a night to remember.
They are first-time patrons of the annual lavish fundraiser, which happens on the manicured grounds of the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples. The Schiffs, who live in Cinncinati and own a home in Naples, said their friends' praises persuaded them to join the fun this year.
"It's been everything and more," said Dawn Schiff.
They attended one of the exclusive dinners on Friday night and met Steve Spurrier and George Taber. Spurrier is a a British wine merchant. Taber wrote a book about Spurrier, "Judgment of Paris."
For Bob Schiff, it was a night to remember. He collects wines — everything from Pinot Noir to Cabernet Sauvignon.
Among his favorites are Valdicava wines, from Italy, because of "the depth, the balance and how they evolve over time" after uncorked.
"It's a very different tasting wine an hour or two later," he said.
Though they entered the auction uncommitted to a lot, the Schiffs said they were ready to soak it all in.
"You're doing something important and having a good time doing it," said Dawn Schiff.
—Maryann Batlle