Intro to wine

Timothy O'Toole's Pub in Chicago and Gurnee hold a Wine Tasting 101 event, hosted by wine director Bill O'Connell. Learn about red and white varietals while munching on appetizers, too.

7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23, at 622 N. Fairbanks Court, Chicago, and from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24, at 5572 Grand Ave., Gurnee. Cost is $25 per person or $40 per couple. (312) 642-0700 or (847) 249-0800 or timothyotooles.com.

Charity tapas

Sample more than 30 Spanish wines and specialty tapas items when Meson Sabika holds its first Tapas for a Cause event. Proceeds go to benefit the Christian organization World Vision which works to stamp out poverty.

6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24, at 1025 Aurora Ave., Naperville. $25 per person. (630) 983-3000 or mesonsabika.com.

Napa Valley vintner

Pat Roney of California-based Girard Winery is back at Atwater's Restaurant (after a four-year absence) as the guest speaker for a special four-course wine dinner prepared by executive chef Tom Hiestand.

Reception at 6 p.m.; dinner at 6:45 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24, at Atwater's in The Herrington Inn & Spa, 15 S. River Lane, Geneva. $85 per guest (tax and gratuity are extra). (630) 208-7433 or herringtoninn.com.