N※N

All-stars & innovators: Naples Winter Wine Festival 2026 reveals chefs and vintners list

  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/08/23 .. stival-2026-reveals-chefs-and-vintners-list.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Saturday, August 23rd 2025 at 19:43 GMT by Naples Daily News
          ^{🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source}

Naples Winter Wine Festival Celebrates Southern Hospitality, Fresh Palates, and Local Talent

On Sunday, August 18th, the Mediterranean‑inspired streets of Naples, Florida, were bathed in the warm glow of a winter‑wine celebration that drew wine lovers, foodies, and curious locals alike to the Naples Winter Wine Festival. The event—hosted at the upscale Naples Plaza Hotel & Spa—was a star‑studded showcase featuring three standout personalities: renowned winemaker Nancy Oakes, rising star Dustin Valette, and celebrated sommelier Rogelio Garcia. Their collective expertise turned an ordinary Sunday into an immersive journey through flavor, craft, and community.

A Trio of Talent

Nancy Oakes is the face behind the boutique “Oakes Cellars,” a family‑owned vineyard that has carved out a niche for its terroir‑focused, small‑batch reds and aromatic whites. Oakes shared that her passion for winemaking began with her grandparents’ farm in Georgia, where she learned the importance of patience, precision, and the “magic of the soil.” She returned to Naples in 2019, drawn by the region’s warm climate and the growing appetite for craft wine among Floridian residents. At the festival, she presented her 2024 “Harvest Harmony” varietal—an elegant blend of Grenache and Syrah—highlighting its smoky finish and subtle notes of black cherry.

Dustin Valette is a 27‑year‑old winemaker who rose to prominence through his innovative “Zero‑Waste” approach to winemaking, which involves reusing grape pomace for culinary sauces and composting organic waste. Valette, a graduate of the University of Arizona’s Viticulture and Enology program, first tasted a glass of Naples’ own wine in 2021 and was instantly captivated. For the festival, he unveiled his “Valette Verde”—a crisp, mineral‑laden Sauvignon Blanc sourced from a small, family‑run vineyard in the neighboring Pinellas County. Valette emphasized the importance of “responsible stewardship” and explained how each bottle carries a part of the story of its origin.

Rogelio Garcia is a seasoned sommelier with an international career spanning Spain, France, and the United States. Garcia’s reputation as a connoisseur of rare wines and a teacher of sensory exploration made him an instant draw for the crowd. In his segment, he offered an engaging “Wine & Food Pairing” workshop, demonstrating how to pair Naples’ sun‑kissed citrus fruits with crisp, acidic white wines, and how a robust Cabernet can enhance the flavors of a grilled steak prepared by a local chef.

The Flavor Journey

The festival’s centerpiece was a curated tasting experience that combined classic Southern flavors with the innovative techniques of Naples’ burgeoning winemaking scene. The tasting began with a light, refreshing “Citrus Refresher” – a sparkling rosé infused with orange zest. Participants then progressed to the “Sun‑Kissed” line of rosés, where Oakes explained that she incorporates a touch of local honey to add a floral sweetness.

The highlight of the evening was the “Midnight Velvet” series, featuring Oakes’ Grenache‑Syrah blend and Valette’s Verde. The pairings were accompanied by a short talk on the influence of climate change on grape cultivation in the Southwest, underscored by Garcia’s own research on sustainable vineyard practices. Attendees were invited to sample each wine with a plate of artisanal cheese and charcuterie from local farms, thereby creating a comprehensive sensory experience that showcased how regional ingredients can elevate both wine and food.

Community and Collaboration

The festival was not only a tasting affair but also a platform for networking and community building. In addition to the tastings, a panel discussion titled “Future of Southern Wine” featured local producers, vineyard owners, and culinary experts discussing market trends, distribution strategies, and eco‑friendly practices. The panel was moderated by the festival’s organizer, local journalist Maria Lopez, who reported on the event in her column “Sip & Speak.” Lopez noted that the conversation was “incredibly candid,” with attendees praising the open exchange of ideas and the emphasis on local collaboration.

The event was also an opportunity for emerging talents to gain exposure. Several up‑and‑coming winemakers from the region—such as “Mia Rivera’s Vineyard” and “Clyde & Co. Wines”—were given a platform to present their new releases, providing a glimpse into the next generation of Naples’ winemaking. Rivera’s “Autumn Orchard” – a blend of Riesling and Gewürztraminer – was particularly praised for its “complex floral profile with a hint of citrus peel,” a sentiment echoed by many of the guests.

Sponsors and Partners

The Naples Winter Wine Festival was made possible by generous sponsorships from local businesses, including the Naples Chamber of Commerce, the “Taste of Naples” culinary institute, and “Green Vineyards” of Florida. In addition, the festival partnered with the City of Naples’ “Sustainability Initiative” to reduce its carbon footprint. Waste was minimized through the use of biodegradable plates, and leftover wine was donated to local food banks. As part of this commitment, the festival hosted a small ceremony where each guest received a personalized “Eco‑Wine Passport” – a small booklet featuring tips on how to properly store, serve, and recycle wine bottles.

Take‑away Messages

In a concluding remarks session, Oakes, Valette, and Garcia each shared a key takeaway for the crowd:

• Nancy Oakes encouraged attendees to “embrace terroir.” She stressed that the distinct climate of Southern Florida—its mild winters and humid summers—creates unique opportunities for grape cultivation, and that producers should showcase the region’s distinctive characteristics rather than chase global trends.

• Dustin Valette urged participants to “think beyond the bottle.” He highlighted the importance of a full‑spectrum approach that includes the entire supply chain—from vine to table—to create a sustainable and responsible product.

• Rogelio Garcia reminded everyone that “wine is a language.” He advocated for wine to serve as a medium for storytelling, a cultural bridge, and a catalyst for conversation.

Looking Forward

The Naples Winter Wine Festival concluded with a toast to “new beginnings,” promising a return in 2026 that will likely feature an expanded line of craft cocktails and an even broader selection of local foods. The event has already set the stage for Naples to become a hot spot for Southern wine culture, blending time‑tested traditions with forward‑looking sustainability. As the city’s wine scene continues to flourish, the festival will remain a pivotal event that celebrates local innovation, community connection, and the timeless joy of a well‑crafted glass.