Honored Vintner Hrh Prince Robert Of Luxembourg To Host Comparative Vertical Tasting Of Legendary Vintages At 2012 Naples Winter Wine Festival

NAPLES, Fla. (Nov. 2, 2011)-Joan and Bob Clifford, co-chairs of the 2012 Naples Winter Wine Festival, today announced the festival will hold a special C'est Magique Honored Vintner wine tasting and lunch Thursday, Jan. 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples in Southwest Florida. The tasting will be hosted by the festival's 2012 Honored Vintner, HRH Prince Robert of Luxembourg, president and CEO of Domaine Clarence Dillon, parent company of the legendary Ch�teau Haut-Brion and its adjoining property, Ch�teau La Mission Haut-Brion. A comparative tasting of five of the most legendary vintages from the two ch�teaux will be presented: 1961, 1982, 1989, 1990 and 2000, followed by a lunch at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort's Lemon�a restaurant, featuring two additional and extremely rare vintages as "surprise wines." The event will be moderated by Bordeaux critic James Molesworth of Wine Spectator.

The C'est Magique Honored Vintner event is limited to 70 guests at a ticket price of $2,500. The tasting is the prelude to the 2012 Naples Winter Wine Festival, scheduled for Jan. 27-29.

All of the funds raised by the tasting and festival benefit the Naples Children & Education Foundation's mission of supporting charitable programs that improve the physical, emotional and educational lives of underprivileged and at-risk children in Collier County, Fla.

"We're thrilled to welcome Prince Robert for this once-in-a-lifetime tasting of legendary wines sourced directly from the ch�teaux cellars," said Bob Clifford. "Ch�teau Haut-Brion and Ch�teau La Mission Haut-Brion have been universally regarded as being amongst the world's most celebrated institutions in fine wine for generations. Presenting these wines together in one setting with His Royal Highness will be a dramatic way to kick off the 2012 Naples Winter Wine Festival."



Ch�teau La Mission Haut-Brion

Prince Robert is the great grandson of Clarence Dillon, who bought Ch�teau Haut-Brion in 1935. His family acquired Ch�teau La Mission Haut-Brion in 1983. Ch�teau Haut-Brion is one of only five of several thousand winemakers from Bordeaux to produce Bordeaux wines classified as Premier Grand Cru. In 2009, Ch�teau La Mission Haut-Brion was considered as a potential First Growth by the Liv-ex Bordeaux Classification. Combined, the two ch�teaux have received 12 perfect 100-point scores from top critics. Continuing his family's philanthropic legacy left by Clarence Dillon, Prince Robert is a generous supporter of NCEF and participated in the 2004 and 2010 festivals.

"Domaine Clarence Dillon is once again honored to support the Naples Winter Wine Festival and help raise funds that directly impact the Naples Children & Education Foundation's important work," said Prince Robert of Luxembourg. "This year is especially meaningful as we are delighted and proud to be named honored vintner. On this occasion, and following the 75th anniversary celebrations of the acquisition of Ch�teau Haut-Brion by my great grandfather, Clarence Dillon, I am delighted to offer a very special limited-edition wine console to be auctioned Saturday, Jan. 28. I am looking forward to participating in what will surely be a truly memorable weekend of events that benefits a cause near to our hearts."

Prince Robert is among 28 world-famous vintners who will personally pour their special wines during the festival. Vintners for the 2012 festival hail from four continents and seven countries, with regions such as Bordeaux, Burgundy, Tuscany, Barbaresco, Ribera del Duero, Napa Valley, Willamette Valley, and more. The vintners will be joined by a stellar lineup of 17 participating chefs, including Chef de Cuisine, Tony Mantuano. Together, the chefs an