Wine fest goes virtual

Ever since the Naples Winter Wine Festival launched in 2001, it's been a super-exclusive event for guests only.

For starters, it costs $8,500 per couple to attend the Bacchanalian fest held at the end of January in Naples, and it's limited to 550 people. Only attendees could bid on the top-shelf lots auctioned live, the highlight of the event that raised millions of dollars for children's charities in Collier County.

Now, even though the festival has sold out, anyone can bid on lots offered in a newly created separate online auction open from Jan. 12 until Jan. 24.

Many of the lots in the online auction are similar to the ones offered at the live auction. These include safaris to Africa, rare magnums of fine wine and shopping sprees in upscale locations. A complete list of the auction items will be posted on the festival's website, Napleswinefestival.com.

The online auction could significantly boost the amount of money the festival can raise. Last year, the festival raised $13.5 million, much of it raised at the live auction.