At Naples Winter Wine Festival
At this year’s Naples Winter Wine Festival (NWWF), a unique charity auction item made waves in the luxury car world and the philanthropic community. Bentley’s latest open-top grand tourer, the Continental GTC Speed, was auctioned for a remarkable $1.7 million. All proceeds supported at-risk and underprivileged children in Collier County, Florida.
The auction’s success helped raise an astounding $34 million for the 2025 NWWF, marking the most successful auction in the festival’s 25-year history.
Bentley’s bespoke auction lot included the world’s first new Continental GTC Speed explicitly tailored for the festival and an exclusive invitation to Bentley’s iconic Monterey Car Week event in August 2025. The auctioned car, a one-of-a-kind creation, was finished in a stunning Damson exterior paint paired with a contrasting Dark Grey Metallic fabric roof.
Inside, the luxurious interior featured Light Grey upholstery with White main hide and Damson secondary hide, accented by silver seat piping. Additionally, personalised Naples Winter Wine Festival treadplates, a Moonbeam-painted pinstripe around the exterior, and custom LED welcome lights made this GTC Speed an undeniable showpiece.
Adding to its exclusivity, the car boasted Mulliner specifications—Bentley’s bespoke personalisation division—featuring a unique piano white and Damson-painted veneer, a rarity within the brand’s offerings. The car’s performance exceeded expectations with Bentley’s Ultra Performance Plug-In Hybrid V8 engine. With 771 horsepower, the engine is more powerful than previous models, accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.2 seconds.
In addition to the car, the auction winner received an extraordinary package that included Bentley’s VIP experience at Monterey Car Week 2025, the brand’s largest annual event. The winner and a guest will enjoy four nights of luxurious accommodation at The Inn at Spanish Bay and VIP tickets to several exclusive events, including The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, and the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
The package also includes access to Bentley’s Beach Dinner at Seal Rock Beach and a private Signature Party at the Beach and Tennis Club, offering a complete luxury experience.
“Bentley Motors is pleased to support Bentley Naples as we see through another successful auction at the Naples Winter Wine Festival, continuing its charitable efforts,” said Jun Watanabe, Senior Director of Sales and Operations at Bentley Americas. “Contributing to the community and fostering a sense of purpose are integral to our broader understanding of sustainability, paving the way for future generations to thrive.”
The proceeds from the auction will directly benefit the Naples Children & Education Foundation (NCEF), a nonprofit organisation dedicated to improving the lives of at-risk children in Collier County for over twenty years. The NWWF, celebrated for its exceptional auction lots and significant community impact, has raised more than $336 million since its inception.
Jason Reidel, Managing Partner of Bentley Naples, expressed his gratitude for participating in the event: “We have been honoured to be involved with the Naples Winter Wine Festival Auction since 2006, and we are grateful for the opportunity to continue supporting the Naples Children & Education Foundation. Every year, Bentley is proud to contribute to this transformative cause and make a meaningful impact on the lives of children in our community.”
Bill Beynon, Team 25 Co-Chair for the 25th annual NWWF, also appreciated Bentley’s support: “We are sincerely grateful to Bentley for allowing us to showcase this phenomenal automobile in our live auction. Their extraordinary support has enabled us to raise much-needed funds for essential programs to improve the lives of underprivileged and at-risk children in our community.”
Image: Bentley’s bespoke auction lot included the world’s first new Continental GTC Speed explicitly tailored for the festival. Credit: Bentley
