FINE Naples Magazine | October 2022

you for the outstanding paver job your company recently completed at our residence. From start to finish you covered all the bases. You provided a fair and thorough proposal. The demolition and construction crews were very conscientious, efficient and skilled in completing the project. We are so happy with the outcome and what a difference the pavers have made to the curb appeal of our home.

look forward

hidden

that offers a unique

fine dining, shopping

totals

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units. Condos range

U

I S T I N G

Here, There, and E v e r y w h e r e .

F r o m o c e a n f r o n t e s t a t e s a n d b e a c h s i d e r e t r e a t s t o t o w e r i n g h i g h r i s e s w i t h s p e c t a c u l a r s u n s e t v i e w s , T h e A g e n c y N a p l e s h a s y o u c o v e r e d . O u r t e a m i s m o d e r n i z i n g r e a l e s t a t e a c r o s s S o u t h w e s t F l o r i d a b y c o m b i n i n g l o c a l e x p e r t i s e w i t h c o n c i e r g e s t y l e c l i e n t s e r v i c e , c r e a t i v e m a r k e t i n g a n d v a s t g l o b a l r e a c h A f t e r a l l , m o r e o f t h e s a m e i s n e v e r a n o p t i o n

FLYBRIDGE

JUST ARRIVED! The all-new 2023 Azimut 68 Flybridge is powered by twin Volvo IPS 1350’s. She has 4 staterooms and 3 heads. The seller added many top-notch options into this AZ68-FLY. She is equipped with Seakeeper Stabilizer 16, proportional bow thruster 10kw, electric awning in the cockpit along with in the aft of the hardtop Flybridge. Be one of the first to own the latest model from Azimut designed by world renowned designer Alberto Mancini. call for price

This 4 bedroom or 3 bedroom + den/office, 4 bath home has been updated inside & out. Outstanding curb appeal with new landscaping, NEW roof, an extra long paver driveway, and freshly painted exterior. An exceptional location on quiet cul-de-sac with view of preserve & sunrise. Designed to maximize living space & showcase the NEW updated spacious kitchen with island, 2 sinks, walk in pantry, and sleek eat in bar. The “Great Room” concept utilizes every room & flows with ease. Enjoy billiards, movie time in family room, & dinner in the formal dining room. Private back yard, screened in pool/spa, and NEW custom built outdoor kitchen with quartz countertops & refrigerator. Two grand suites

another guest suite located on the second level. All 3 bedrooms have plush new carpet, high ceilings, LED lighting, new fans, & spacious closets with built-ins. On first level, French doors lead to office or a 4TH bedroom with full private bath. The only home available with an elevator.

MICHAEL V. TARANTO

Gated community with walking paths around the lakes. Centrally located just minutes to beaches, shopping, restaurants, hospitals, golf courses, & the private Naples airport.

Build your beautiful custom retreat, enhance your home’s architectural features, create newly inspired original surroundings, and set your mind at ease with our customized Estate Management Services. Let us show you how much more extraordinary your home can be.

Discover next level living.

PELICAN BAY

704 HOLLYBRIAR LANE

This spectacular southern exposure, single-story estate home by Stofft Cooney/Knauf-Koenig Group/Calusa Bay Design is coming to market. Recently constructed and graciously designer furnished, this 4 BR + office, 6 BA, 3-car garage beauty represents one of the finest homes available in all of Pelican Bay. Pelican Bay amenities include private access to 3 miles of white sand beaches, two beach clubs with dining, an active tennis program, 27 holes of golf, and more.

SEASONS

BLEU

RIDGWAY

SEA SALT

CAMPIELLO

THE CONTINENTAL

TRULUCK’S

TOMMY BAHAMA

LAKE PARK DINER

QUICK TIPS TO HELP YOUR BUNKER PLAY!

Bunker play is normally one of the shots most amateur golfers have trouble with. It might be an issue with controlling distance or simply executing a standard bunker shot. Here are some basic tips for hitting consistent bunker shots and controlling distance.

Bunker shot basics:

1. Ball should be played off your lead foot. Weight 60% on your lead side.

2. Don’t hold the club tight, nice, relaxed grip pressure.

3. Dig your feet in the sand, knees slightly flexed and hips out. This will create a nice, stable, base.

4. IMPORTANT- Open the club face slightly, and then grip club. If you grip the club first the club face will likely return to square at impact.

5. When practicing, draw a line an inch to 2 inches behind the ball. This will be your entry point to the sand.

6. Swing the club to a complete follow through. The biggest mistake happens here because most people don’t accelerate the club to a complete follow through. Accelerate, accelerate, accelerate.

To alter distance make 3 simple adjustments.

SAL = Speed, Angle, Length

Short Bunker Shot Long Bunker Shot

1. Choke up on club 1. Grip more to the end 2. Open face 2. Square face, slightly open

3. When dealing with speed, you always want to accelerate the club, NEVER deaccelerate. Think of it like car. When its going 100 mph its accelerating, when you’re going 10 mph your still accelerating, just not as fast. So, on a scale from 1 to 10 with 10 being the fastest, use a 3-4 speed on shorter shots, maybe 7-8 on longer shots. This is a feel part of the game, and you will have a better idea after spending some time in the practice bunker.

For more help in the bunker, you can contact me directly Joe Conforti • 239-404-4109 • jconforti@oldecypress.com

Play Well Joe Conforti Director of Golf @ Olde Cypress

PAINTLESS DENT REMOVAL IN NAPLES

One Shot Wonders:

The Best Par 3s in Naples

Olde Cypress, No.

Golf Digest recently cited the par-3 12th hole at The Club at Olde Cypress as having one of the best island greens in the country. The golf course was designed by P.B. Dye, son of the late Pete Dye, who knows a thing or two about creating unforgettable island greens. No. 12 plays anywhere from 73 to 133 yards to a two-tiered green that’s yielded a whopping 24 holes-in-one this year alone. For more information: www.oldecypress.com

They are the site of more holes-in-one, group photos, and overall

moments than just about any type of golf hole. Yet they’re diminutive, typically ranging from around 100 yards to just over 200 yards in length. We’re talking about par 3s, here, and we’re tipping our collective golf caps to Naples’ top five “one-shot wonders.” So, grab the perfect club, take dead aim at the pin, and off we go.

When a course hosts both an LPGA (the CME Group Tour Championship) and Champions Tour (the Chubb Classic) event, you know it’s going to have a collection of strong one-shotters. That’s certainly the case on Tiburon Golf Club’s Gold Course with the 225-yard par-3 fifth hole. Playing to 225 yards from the tips with a carry over water, No. 5 rates as the 13th hardest hole on this world-renown Greg Norman design. For more information: www.tiburonnaples.com

move just a few miles north to Bonita Springs, home to 54-hole

Creek Country Club for our next hole. The Preserve Course

par-3 6th hole, which from the back tees presents

with one of the longest forced carries in the region.

plays into the wind and the large, sloping

concede many two putts. For more information:

With a slope 153 and a course rating of 77.6 from the back tees, Old Corkscrew is one of the toughest tracks in Southwest Florida. The 221-yard par-3 second hole gets the difficulty party started early. Flanked by a natural sandy area with native grasses on the left, it cries out for a smooth draw into a back-to-front sloping two-tier green. For more information: www.oldcorkscrew.com

The late Arthur Hills, dubbed “The Mayor of Naples” due to the number of courses he designed in Collier County, crafted Fiddler’s Creek from 4,500 acres of pristine wetlands. The par-3 13th hole was one of his favorite par 3s, with its raised tee box and putting surface. The bunkers on the right and behind the green were designed to save errant tee shots. For more information: www.fiddlerscreek.com

Transferring

&

from

Edward E. Wollman, JD, LL.M WOLLMAN, GEHRKE & ASSOCIATES, P.A.

HOW TO TITLE ASSETS IN SECOND MARRIAGE TO AVOID UNINTENTIONAL ESTATE PLANNING:

QUESTION - HOW

I TITLE REAL ESTATE AND OTHER ASSETS

HOLD ASSETS IN

Well-drafted estate planning documents are fantastic. However, if you do not follow the road map set forth by your estate plan ning advisors, then the plan will likely be ignored by the people you named to fulfill your last wishes.

Let’s use an example - Bob and Debbie have a combined net worth of over $6 million. They have been together for twenty years and married for 17 years. They each have two children from prior long-term marriages. They have agreed from day one that each child will inherit one-fourth of their combined assets at the second death (the survivor will control the assets until the second death).

Bob and Debbie sold their respective homes (too much history to stay in either) and combined their wealth in the purchase of essentially their new retirement dream home. Their next decision was monumental. The couple bought the house in Tenants by the Entireties (as husband and wife); survivor takes all! Many states permit this unique joint tenancy; however, it is only available for spouses.

The title to the asset controlled its disposition. The jointly held assets passed immediately by operation of law to the surviving spouse - completely bypassing the estate planning documents regarding their children’s inheritance! Little did they know, their estate planning documents had been rendered meaningless when dividing their home at the second death.

So, regardless of your well-drafted estate planning documents, the way you title your assets is essential. If everything passes by operation of law (based on the joint ownership) to your spouse, then your Will and Trust are irrelevant. This concept is also true concerning your IRA, annuities, and life insurance if you name your spouse as your designated beneficiary.

So, whether we are talking about your stock portfolio, IRA, or homestead, it is relevant and determinative how you title the as set. Suppose you want it to go to your children from a prior mar riage after you die or after your spouse dies. In that case, you must direct the disposition (not only in your Will and Trust) by titling the assets in your name, your trust’s name, or in a format that names a beneficiary upon your death (including your trust or your other heirs). Please discuss this with your advisors.

As an example of this proper funding, here are the three most common methods of titling real estate between a married cou ple:

Tenants by the Entireties;

Joint Tenants with Rights of Survivorship; or Tenants in Common.

Let’s take a quick look at the pros and cons of each -

Tenants by the Entireties (T by E) - This is unique titling be tween a husband and a wife (or two married individuals in a state that recognizes same-sex marriages) … however, NOT all states recognize Tenants by the Entirety. Florida does have T by E. Ten ants by the Entireties is a unity of one … like chocolate and va nilla swirl ice cream, you can separate the two … the combined ownership is considered a unique unity of one … it takes two sig natures to sell, mortgage or transfer the property. It is asset pro tected, and only one spouse is liable for a tort. It passes imme diately upon death to the survivor. It bypasses the decedent’s trust and goes to the surviving spouse without probate. Your spouse controls the ultimate disposition upon your spouse’s life.

Joint Tenants with Rights of Survivorship - Like T by E, the as set passes immediately to the spouse by operation of law with out probate. However, this lacks the same asset protection of T by E because it is unilaterally severable by either spouse with only one signature. Therefore, creditors can reach one-half of this asset when only one spouse is liable. So, if you do not mind this asset passing to your spouse, you may want the added benefits of T by E.

Tenants in Common - This is the winner in second marriages if and only if you wish to make sure the asset will eventually pass to your heirs instead of immediately upon your death to your surviving spouse. With Tenants in Common, each spouse owns their respective interest in the asset, and each spouse can designate how they wish their interest shall pass upon their death. The spouse may own their respective share in their revo cable trust and ultimately pass their interest to their designated heirs under their Will and Revocable trust.

While there are only a few options, choosing the most effective way to title your property is a very complex subject and deserves time to consider your options.

read more about this subject and other estate planning matters.

Ed Wollman is a Florida Bar Board certified Attorney

in wills, trusts, and estates with over 32 years of experience practicing in the state of Florida.

Where Today’s Plans Become Tomorrow’s Legacy

Pelican Marsh Lifestyle

3 Beds • 3 Baths • 2,060 Sq Ft • Osprey Pointe 1st floor residence in Gated Pelican Marsh – No steps!

Lives like a single-family home. PET FRIENDLY - No weight limit. Light & Bright. Beautiful décor. Corner residence, 10’ tray ceilings, LED lights, tile throughout, updated kitchen, granite counters, cabinets & appliances. Luxurious and expansive master suite and bath, wonderful closet space, screened/enclosed lanai with privacy sunshades. Sunny, private, lush garden view.

Attached oversized 2 car garage. Stroll to pool & clubhouse. Short walk or bike ride to magnificent Community Center, with Tennis, Fitness, Pickleball, Bocce ball, social activities, and our new “NEST” restaurant! Just 2 miles to Vanderbilt Beach. Plus, free beach shuttle!

Close to everything Naples – Vanderbilt Beach, Mercato, Waterside Shops, Galleria Shops, Venetian Village & Old Naples.

Stunning, gated 1/2-acre retreat in e Moorings. Falcon Design exquisite 4-bedroom + den, 4 bath, 4,400 SF estate. Private park-like setting. Features Chef’s gourmet kitchen with La Cornue oven and range, Subzero, Miele, and more. Expansive great room, soaring wood inlaid ceilings, 2 luxurious master suites. Glass walls open to outdoor veranda and pool blending indoor outdoor spaces. First time o ered since construction. Short walk to Moorings Beach Park. Every desire met. Under Contract

Enjoy the best of Naples in gated Pelican Marsh – make an appointment today!

Marketing Naples Homes Along e Shore Since 2004

Fifth Avenue S.,

FL 34102

Marketing Naples Homes Along The Shore Since 2004

Expertise – Professionalism – Personal Service

Expertise – Professionalism – Personal Service

NaplesShore.com

Tom McCarthy

McCarthy

FOOTBALL ANALYSIS AFTER 3 WEEKS

THE EYE TEST

1. GEORGIA

Amazing How Losing Over A Dozen Players To The Nfl And Their Offense And Defense Are Firing On All Cylinders. The Sec Is A Tough Conference And Schedule To Go Through, But Kirby Smart Has This Team As The Best In The Country Right Now. Injuries Are A Concern For Any Team As The Season Goes On, But Barring Anything Significant, They Appear To Be One Of The Ones Come Playoff Time.

2. OHIO STATE

Ryan Day Has A Total Offensive Machine At Work That Will Get Better And Better. C J Stroud Is A Heisman Candidate And His Backup Kyle Mccord Could Probably Start For Any Other Team In The Country. A Wr Core That Has At Least 3 Out Of 4 Going To The Nfl And 4 Superior Running Backs, It Is Just A Matter If Coach Knowles Can Shore Up The Defense So They Become Unbeatable.

3. ALABAMA

I Don’t Like Their Effort Against An Unranked Texas Team Especially After Taking Out The Texas Qb Early And Barely Hanging On To Win. But, Bryce Young Is The Defending Heisman Winner And Nick Sabin Is Still The Best Coach In Football. They Have A Tough Schedule, So We Will See What They Become….But Always Dangerous

These Guys Have Every Reason And Resource To Get Back To Prominence Again. Keep An Eye On Them

4. MICHIGAN

Harbough Has Had A Target On His Back For Years. He Had A Breakthrough Beating Ohio State Last Year For The 1st Time In Over 9 Years. His Team Is Well Balanced And The Offensive And Defensive Lines Are Powerful. They Need To Show The Same When Playing Better Teams Than They Have Started With. Execution Even At Lower Opponents Level Does Possibly Breed Execution At A Higher Level. Tough Conference As Well.

5. CLEMSON

Not Sold On Them, But Just Based On Recent History And Playing In The Acc, They Have To Be Considered A Player To Reach The Playoffs. Not A Probable Winner Though

TEAMS ON THE RISE:

They May Be Coming Back To The Program That They Used To Be?

We Will See? Loads Of Talent But Are A Bit Mistake Proned

These Guys Always Fare Well In The Big 12 But Haven’t Mounted A Championship Run For A While. They Have A Prolific Offense As Always And A Seemingly Good Defense. We Need To See More From Them But They Appear To Be A Player In The Mix Of What Looks Like An Amazing College Football Season!!

Roserdley Crevecoeur

Born in the Caribbean, and having acquired her primary and secondary education abroad, Roserdley is fluent in French, Creole, and Spanish. She holds a degree in International Relations along with a Master's degree in Public Administration & Policy, which gives her the professional and business acumen needed for the real estate industry.

Born in the Caribbean, and having acquired her primary and secondary education abroad, Roserdley is fluent in French, Creole, and Spanish. She holds a degree in International Relations along with a Master’s degree in Public Administration & Policy, which gives her the professional and business acumen needed for the real estate industry.

As a Naples resident and real estate advisor in Southwest Florida since 1999, Roserdley is extremely familiar with the local demographics and footprints of the area, which allows her to specialize in and provide international diamond key services to sellers and buyers around the world.

As a Naples resident and real estate advisor in Southwest Florida since 1999, Roserdley is extremely familiar with the local demographics and footprints of the area, which allows her to specialize in and provide international diamond key services to sellers and buyers around the world.

Her vast knowledge and experience in the preparation of international real estate contracts, along with the understanding of her client’s needs are as diverse as today’s global real estate market.

Her vast knowledge and experience in the preparation of international real estate contracts, along with the understanding of her client's needs are as diverse as today’s global real estate market.

Welcome to Extraordinary

We are excited to announce the temporary relocation of our Vanderbilt Beach office, around the corner to 250 Center Street North, located in the heart of the new ONE NAPLES resort-style luxury residential community.

As one of the largest full-service luxury real estate and vacation rental management companies in Southwest Florida and the United States, William Raveis delivers world-class Brokerage and Luxury Rental Management Services.

Begin the next phase of living your best life with William Raveis, whether you’re looking to purchase, sell, or rent we are the only full-service real estate company on-site at ONE NAPLES. Visit our offices today and discover the best Naples has to offer.

From the Beach to the Bay and every Golf Green and Fairway, we will help you find your perfect vacation getaway. Whether for a week, a few months,

to start your forever stay.

BOOK ONLINE

The Quarry is a lakefront

Food/Drink Service,

other, including an impressive “Lake Lodge” and

An impressive $18M renovation and expansion

the

Chris Lecca

Beaches, Boating & Golf

Isles

Naples

Florida

Park

welcome to MARCO ISLAND

Featured Listing

Marco Island is the crown jewel of the Paradise Coast of Southwest Florida. Here you will find a world-class resort destination on the Gulf of Mexico that is home to white, sugar-sand beaches, top notch dining and shopping, and outstanding golf courses both on Marco Island and in nearby Naples, all wrapped in a quaint, casual, laid-back atmosphere. To the south are the 10,000 Islands, inhabited only by a few small fishing villages and the stunning natural beauty of the 10,000 Islands National Wildlife Refuge, Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve, Big Cypress National Preserve and the 5,000 square mile Everglades National Park. Enjoy outstanding boating, fishing, kayaking, shelling and bird, dolphin and wildlife watching.

In recent years, Marco Island was named the #1 island in the United States by TripAdvisor® and was 4th on their list of the top 10 islands in the world. For the fourth year in a row, the Naples-Marco Island area won the top spot in the country from the Gallup National Health Index survey for happiness and health. Our residents can certainly attest to the wonderful sense of well-being that comes when driving over the Jolley Bridge and seeing Marco Island sparkling in front of you.

Not just a vacation destination, Marco Island is home to about 16,500 year-round residents. At 4 miles wide by 6 miles long, the island is home to almost as many miles of waterways as it has roads. During our high winter season, the island population more than doubles with the influx of part-time residents, snow birds and vacationers escaping cold weather. With our dependable sunshine, warm Gulf water and mild winter temperatures, it is no wonder that visitors return year after year.

Considering buying or selling on Marco Island?

Whether you are looking for a vacation home, investment property or permanent residence, Marco Island offers a wide range of properties and price ranges, from a simple, stress free condominium to the most luxurious beach or waterfront estate. There are different neighborhoods that satisfy depending on if your preference is to be close to the beach or have great boating access or to be more family orientated and close to schools and parks.

What does your piece of Paradise look like?

Bonita Springs-Estero

BONITA SPRINGS & ESTERO welcome to

Single Family August

Year to Date

Key Metrics 2021 2022 % Change Thru 8 2021 Thru 8 2022 % Change

New Listings 141 128 9 2% 1,470 1,440 2 0%

Pending Sales 149 126 15 4% 1,563 1,134 27 4%

Closed Sales 144 102 29 2% 1,595 1,118 29 9%

Days on Market Until Sale 21 25 + 19 0% 40 16 60 0%

Median Sales Price* $547,000 $721,000 + 31 8% $525,000 $700,000 + 33 3%

Average Sales Price* $621,569 $907,919 + 46 1% $682,617 $870,747 + 27 6%

Percent of List Price Received* 100 2% 97.7% 2 5% 98 6% 100.7% + 2 1%

Inventory of Homes for Sale 142 239 + 68 3%

Months Supply of Inventory 0.7 1 7 + 142.9%

Condo August Year to Date

Key Metrics 2021 2022 % Change Thru 8-2021 Thru 8-2022 % Change

New Listings 122 109 10 7% 1,390 1,436 + 3 3%

Pending Sales 122 102 16 4% 1,674 1,196 28 6%

Closed Sales 134 86 35 8% 1,709 1,137 33 5%

Days on Market Until Sale 19 22 + 15 8% 50 13 74 0%

Median Sales Price* $347,000 $427,000

Average Sales Price* $429,643 $545,655

of List Price Received*

Inventory of Homes for Sale

Supply of Inventory

Median Sales Price

Single Family

3% 98.9%

218

23 1% $309,900 $430,000 + 38 8%

27 0% $409,389 $540,627 + 32 1%

4% 98 3% 101.4% + 3 2%

105 7%

Median Sales Price - Condo

Springs Estero

The Florida Lifestyle

BEACH - BOATING - GOLF - EQUESTRIAN ESTATES

For 20 years, Garren Grup has been associated with John R. Wood Properties, the unrivaled leader in Southwest Florida real estate, and has been counseling customers from all over the world. Now, more than ever, you need someone who aggressively and successfully continues to negotiate the best scenario when purchasing or selling Southwest Florida residential and commercial properties.

Garren excels in formulating solutions to challenges facing buyers and sellers of properties at all price points. Through his extensive knowledge of new home construction, as well as existing luxury and resort-style communities, he is committed to delivering an exceptional experience. He locates the best value and community to complement his buyers and develops strong marketing plans for his sellers by highlighting the unique attributes of their homes.

provided a fair

skilled

covered

thorough

the outcome

made

curb

very

what a

are so happy

pavers

look

Pedal for a Purpose

Here’s how it works:

WORK at

WITH GIANLUCA CORSO, OWNER OF COSMOS RISTORANTE & PIZZERIA NTERVIEW BY FINE MAGAZINE

Gianluca, it is so great to be here sitting with you again to do a follow up article on you and your fantastic restaurant and bar! My family and I, along with all of Naples, are so grateful, lucky and blessed that you, your family and the Cosmos family are here in town! Cosmos has definitely come a long way from its beginning, and we want to know what you have been up to since our first article with you? It seems like Cosmos has grown so much and it has definitely become a Must Do featured place to visit in Naples!

FINE: What has changed at Cosmos and what have you been up to since our first interview with you?

GIANLUCA: For starters, we are blessed to be here in Naples and we love it here! We love serving the Naples community with fresh good food, and enjoy seeing our friends and new people visiting us every day!

Since our last interview we have done a lot! We have added Gianluca’s Bar, Cosmos at the Naples Pier, and a Vineyard in Italy just to name a few!

We took over the space next door to us adding about 1000 sq ft for Gianluca’s Bar, which gave us another 50 seats and also allowed us to serve more drinks like cocktails and Martini’s. We are still a family restaurant, not a bar, and still close around 10 PM in summer and 11 PM in season.

We added Cosmos at the Naples Pier, a vineyard in Italy where we make the Cannonau di Sardegna for the restaurant and bar, and we now have 80 employees during season where we had 40 employees before. With the 80 employees, I have about 25-30 working at one time. I am very blessed and happy to be where we are today!

FINE: Tell us more about what you have at the Naples Pier?

GIANLUCA: We have Cosmos at the Pier which is about 500 sq ft in the middle of the pier, a concession/kiosk of space where people can get Cosmos pizza, salads, wraps, hamburgers, hot dogs, meatballs, hats, T-shirts, key chains, Naples souvenirs, sun screen, fishing bait, etc. The kiosk is very nice and clean, with the windows open so people can see into the kitchen/prep area. The pier has become a wonderful thing for us because not only did we provide jobs for 3 new employees, but we also provided a nice service for the community with food that is fresh and good! We love the pier and we also get to advertise Cosmos food there to over 1 million people who come to visit the Naples Pier every year.

FINE: Are there any new food items that you or Leo have created and now serving in the restaurant or bar?

GIANLUCA: Yes, we have a diverse menu with a lot of great items. We now have smaller portion items, like bar bites, but yes, we have many different items. We always have a special item for the dinner menu, and are always working on specials for the restaurant. We still make the best pizza in town, the best lasagna and fresh pasta!

FINE: I know Naples is your home, but tell us a little bit more about Sardinia and what you have built there? Tell us about the wine that you are making and the type of grapes that you are growing?

GIANLUCA: In 2015 I bought a piece of land in Sardinia about half way up a mountain with about 40 acres that had a smaller house on it already. The house was around 1000 sq ft. We wanted to add on to the existing house to have a total of about 3000 sq ft. We tried to get approval for this and it turned out to be impossible to add on to the house. We went to the commissioner who was in charge of making planning and zoning decisions, to explain what we wanted. He said he couldn’t give us the additional 2000 sq ft, but he would give us 1000 additional sq ft if we would provide 5 acres of grapes, 1.5 acres of olives, and at least 30-50 miniature donkeys from Sardinia. Of course, I wanted to do this! I went to my wife and was very excited about this. I went to a friend who knew about growing grapes and producing wine, and he said we had to become a farmers and be certified and licensed to grow grapes.

I started studying grapes and figured out the types of grapes to plant. I went to my wife and told her that we were going to start growing grapes to produce a top-notch wine and that I was going to hire an expert wine maker. Eva asked me what I know about wine and I said that I know a lot! I know if wine is good or bad when I drink it!!

We bought the Cannonau Cabernet grape and we hired the best wine maker. It took 3-4 years to grow and mature the grapes to have the right properties for very good wine. In 2019 we received our first bottles of wine. We made 5000 bottles this year, and with the vineyard we have, and being smaller and more of a boutique wine maker, we will be able to produce about 8000 bottle per year. I don’t want to make more than that because I do not want to stress the grapes.

We are doing very well with it and are selling a lot of the wine by the case. We just received our new bottles for 2022, which were made in 2021.

FINE: This was a question from our original interview, and I wanted to see if you could complete the timeline to date from opening the deli in 2012?

When did you open Cosmos? What was the evolution of Cosmos from the start to where it is today?

Cosmos was an existing restaurant here started by a couple from New York. It was open for two years before I bought it in January of 2008. It was very small and could only hold about 40 people at a time, but it was home!

• March of 2008, voted the Top Best 5 Pizzas in Naples by the Naples Daily News

• May of 2008, we were on the 1st page of the Naples Daily News about the recession and how we were able to keep our prices low? My answer: “We make everything from scratch here in the restaurant so we can keep our prices competitive.”

• July/August of 2008, Gulfshore Life voted us the Best Pizza in Naples

• October of 2008, the chef from Bellagio, Leonardo Rubio, came to us to be our chef

• Added patio seating in 2009

• Added 2nd Room in 2010

• Added Deli room in 2011

• Deli became part of the restaurant seating in 2012

When we started, we had 5 people working at Cosmos: Me, Leonardo the chef, Eva my wife, Tino, Suzanna, and 1 waiter – all of whom are still here at Cosmos!

ADDED ITEMS TO DATE FROM 2012:

We opened the deli in 2012 and were doing very well! We were importing great food items from Italy, like the fresh mozzarella, the Prosciutto, and many other great items. The week of Christmas and New Years, it was chaos with the number of people coming to Cosmos. At that time, we had a line of people outside waiting to get a table, and the wait was 1 ½ hours at times. There were

so many people who would wait outside and then leave because the wait was too long. That broke my heart! So, I realized I had to do something to fix that!

• January 1st, 2013, I called a friend to help me with this! We removed everything out of deli, brought in tables and chairs, and we re-opened with more seating on Jan 4th! We did that in 3 days!

• The next addition was creating Gianluca’s Bar! From Nov 2013 – Feb 2014, 4 months, we demolished the interior of the store next door, created Gianluca’s Bar adding 1000 sq ft, and we opened up for the Super Bowl in Feb 2014!

We are definitely finished adding space to the restaurant! I am so happy to have the space that we have right now; it feels perfect for us!

FINE: You do a lot of charity work with one event in particular being the one where you partner with Jim Buonavolonta, M.D., President and CEO of The Ultimate Garages, LLC. What are some of the things you guys have done?

GIANLUCA: We help support the Big Brother and Big Sister program in Naples. Just last May 2021 we did a beautiful fundraiser where we raised $111,143!

Each year, we get a group of exotic cars and car owners together to take kids from the Big Brother and Big Sister program on a fun car ride through town and end with a lunch at the Ultimate Garage property. It is a great event and the kids really enjoy it!

We are also big supporters of the Collier County Sheriff’s Department, The Naples Police and Fire Departments, nurses, EMT’s, etc.!

FINE: I know you are always running specials for First Responders, what is your deal with them?

GIANLUCA: Yes, we always want to support and help our First Responders and we give them 10% off everything.

We also help the Women and Children Abuse Shelter.

FINE: Covid affected a lot of businesses and restaurants, how did it go for you through Covid? How did you make it through that?

GIANLUCA: Covid was a terrible thing but we survived and did a lot of carry out business, and everyone in Naples really came together to support each other. The City of Naples allowed us to have seating outside during Covid of about 6 tables. I have to say thank you very much to the City and to all of Naples for supporting us during that time. We had one of the largest take-out businesses during Covid.

FINE: What do you feel are the secrets to your success here? How do you define success?

GIANLUCA: To achieve your dream is success. To achieve success, you have to believe in yourself and say “I will do that,” not ask can I do that, or would I be able to do that. You have to believe that you can do anything. I always say I CAN do that, and I will do whatever it takes to accomplish it. And when I say do whatever it takes, that means dedication, discipline, believing in yourself, choosing good people around

you, and having people who believe in your dream. You also have to lead them! Leadership is critical to achieving success and proving that you are committed and willing to keep pushing harder and harder, continuously driving toward your goals. This is success to me!

To create something for yourself is nice. To create something for other people – now that is great! To see other people become better because of my dream, achieving their dreams because of something I did, that is my dream and that is success. To see my employees, staff, friends, be able to have a career, have dreams, to be able to take vacation, etc.; that makes me so happy!

I honor holidays and don’t have my employees work on those holidays, and I still pay everyone. I am never open for Easter, Christmas, July 4th, Thanksgiving, and I still pay everyone. I want everyone to enjoy his or her own families and have fun. If I am not working on those days, why should they? I want them to enjoy the holidays and be with their families!

FINE: I know you are always at Cosmos, but just wondering if you still put in as many hours as you did several years ago?

GIANLUCA: I am very involved, maybe too much! I am just wired that way! I really enjoy being at Cosmos and seeing all of my friends and people who come into Cosmos!

FINE: How often do you go back to Italy?

GIANLUCA: I used to go for 2 months at a time. With the vineyard, everything changed. I have to be there between May and June to prepare the vineyard to go through the dry season and to have grapes ready for the harvest. I also have to go back from September to October. I have to go back to harvest the grapes. Mother Nature has to give us the Ok to pick the grapes. Before we harvest the grapes, we have to bottle the wine from the previous year, which is aging and sits in stainless steel barrels. For this year, the wine will sit in the stainless barrels and we will have 1000 bottles that will age for 1 year in the French oak barrels, which will be our special reserve wine.

FINE: Are any of your other family members in the restaurant business?

GIANLUCA: Yes, everyone!! We have “Cosmos 2” at the Castle in Sardinia, owned by my sister Rosaria. Before you get to the castle above the marina, there is a restaurant called “The View,” owned by my nephew Samuel. He has a very successful business – a high-end Champagne bar.

My brother also has a restaurant before you get to town called Excalibur, which is right next to the beach with 300 seats, and is a big restaurant!

FINE: What do you like to do here?

GIANLUCA: I love fishing, cruising around on my 650 scooter, and love doing charity work for the community.

FINE: Do you personally cook anymore?

GIANLUCA: I cook every weekend! Mostly grilling, about 80% grilling and 20% cooking other items! I cook every Sunday at home. That’s when I come up with new recipes. I try new recipes about twice a month. Last week I came up with a new dish – a very light dish, more of a vegetable lasagna, layered 3 times with these items:

1st, 2nd and 3rd Layers in this order:

— Tomato Sauce

— Eggplant

— Ham

— Ricotta Cheese

— Mozzeralla

— Zucchini

This has a very light tomato sauce, not really red in color, it’s lighter, like a vodka sauce in color.

FINE: That eggplant dish sounds great, what do you call that?

GIANLUCA: I don’t know, I just came up with it?!

FINE: What are the parties throughout the year that you have here at Cosmos or Gianluca’s Bar?

GIANLUCA: Our biggest party of the year is our New Year’s Eve party! I keep it under control, and limit the number of people who can be at the party. I want to have no more than 100 guests, live music at the end, drop balloons and watch the ball in New York City drop on TV.

The Super Bowl is another big party we have.

St Patrick’s Day – setup by St Joseph University

My Birthday, the weekend of my Birthday, in August – we used to do a 100club party. You could come to that party and eat all the pizza you want for $20. We haven’t had that party for a few years, but we will do it again soon!

Around November, we do a Sardinia night. We have a full pig, fish, our own wine and some Sardinian fun!

Mark P. Riley

3134 Dahlia Way

NAPLES, FL 34105

Sited on one of Grey Oaks most beautiful streets

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NAPLES, FL 34105

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NAPLES, FL 34105

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RECENT SALES/RECORD SALES

2232 Miramonte Court

NAPLES, FL 34105

Stunning Stofft Cooney designed home in sought after Mi ramonte in Grey Oaks being sold beautifully furnished. The 4,047 sq ft masterpiece custom home on an oversized cor ner lot has circular drive and charming water features. En ter the gracious foyer and you’re immediately captivated. Eyes are drawn to the soaring ceilings and you’re awash in an abundance of natural light. The foyer opens into the great room, seamlessly blending living and dining with the state of the art kitchen that would make even the most sophisticated cook envious. An enormous island, commer cial stove, steam oven and double refrigerator, ice maker and wine storage for 180 bottles together allow grand entertaining. Off the great room is approximately 845 sq ft. outdoor family room with electric screens, fireplace and televisions. A summer kitchen hosts drawer refrigerators and bar seating. Privacy abounds in the backyard with lush landscaping and a custom pool & spa with fire bowls. Off the foyer is a large study and half bath.

Torino Way

NAPLES, FL 34105

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