A TOAST TO A GREATER GOOD The inaugural Palm Beach International Wine Experience brings together world-class vintners, celebrated chefs and extraordinary experiences in support of Palm Beach County’s children.
Palm Beach has long been synonymous with a particular brand of luxury, defined by grand estates, gleaming yachts, exceptional dining and a social calendar that attracts an international crowd. In January, those elements will converge with a larger purpose as the Palm Beach International Wine Experience makes its debut. Taking place January 19–20, 2027, the invitation-only, two-day affair will bring together just 200 philanthropists, collectors, and corporate leaders for an immersive celebration of fine wine and gastronomy 58 slmag.net
centered on charitable giving. Rather than benefiting a single organization, the event will support a network of nonprofits serving children throughout Palm Beach County. At the heart of the initiative is the newly established Palm Beach Children’s Fund, the Wine Experience’s philanthropic arm. Powered by Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County, the fund will serve as an intermediary, directing proceeds toward organizations and strategic initiatives focused on education, health, and youth development. The approach is intended to
broaden the reach of a traditional charity gala by bringing multiple youth-serving organizations under a shared philanthropic umbrella. The festivities begin January 19 at the new Julie & Mike Connors Boys & Girls Club at Dreher Park in West Palm Beach. A cocktail reception and community showcase, dubbed “Meet the Kids,” will introduce guests to the young people and programs at the center of the weekend’s mission. From there, the evening moves from land to sea.
Select guests will board eight yachts docked at the Town of Palm Beach Marina for a series of intimate vintner dinners pairing acclaimed winemakers with renowned chefs and elite sommeliers. Allied Marine, a Ferretti Group company, will complement the privately owned yachts with vessels from the Ferretti Group portfolio. Luxury tabletop brands will help set the stage for evenings that marry wine, cuisine, craftsmanship, and life on the water. The following night raises the stakes— and the paddles. On January 20, guests will gather at a private Palm Beach estate for a Michelin-starred dinner prepared by a worldrenowned chef and a live auction featuring 15 one-of-a-kind wine, culinary, and travel lots. Many will incorporate wines from some of the world’s most revered vineyards, with each experience presented through immersive installations designed to make the auction itself part of the evening’s theater. Lydia Fenet, CEO of the Lydia Fenet Agency and former Global Managing Director of Christie’s, will preside over the bidding. With more than two decades of experience spanning philanthropy, luxury, and fine art, Fenet will lead the live auction and a call for on-the-spot donations. PNC Private Bank will serve as the event’s Founding Corporate Partner and Auction Paddle Sponsor. A Founding Committee drawn from Palm Beach’s philanthropic and civic community is also guiding the initiative. Its first announced members include Thomas Peterffy, Dr. Herbie Wertheim, Charles Schumacher, Dr. Jeffrey Skoll, Sean Smith, and Scott Smith. “Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County is incredibly proud to spearhead this effort and to bring our community together in suppor t of exceptional organizations working together every day to give children the opportunity to thrive,” said Jaene Miranda, President
and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County. Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County currently serves more than 50,000 children and teens annually, with programming focused on academic success, healthy lifestyles, leadership development, and workforce readiness. After the event, the Palm Beach Children’s Fund will distribute net proceeds as grants to multiple youth-serving nonprofits and to strategic initiatives benefiting children in need throughout the county. In a destination where spectacular experiences are hardly in short supply,
the Palm Beach International Wine Experience is aiming for something more enduring. The yachts, rare vintages, celebrated cuisine, and extraordinary auction lots may provide the glamour, but the real measure of the weekend will come after the final glass is poured: using Palm Beach’s considerable capacity for generosity to create opportunities for the children who call the community home. If you wish to be added to the invitation list or inquire about sponsorship opportunities, contact Scott Siegfried at (704) 995-5491. sl slmag.net
59