Holly Demske and Mark Monitello of Naperville sample wines while attending the Naperville Winter Wine Festival at the Hotel Arista in Naperville. Monitello said that the event was "one of the best local ones (wine tastings) I have been to in a while." The event was organized by Vin Chicago and inPLAY EVENTS with a portion of proceeds benefiting DuPage PADS.
Photos by Mark Black/mblack@dailyherald.com
Fans of high-end wines gathered Sunday in Naperville to enjoy a taste of the grape and, in the process, lend a helping hand to those far less fortunate.
Organizers said the Naperville Winter Wine Festival, held at the Hotel Arista, was designed to complement the city's long-running summer wine festival. The event was presented by Calamos Wealth Management and coordinated by Vin Chicago and inPLAY EVENTS.
While the roughly 300 participants got a chance to choose from a sampling of about 100 typically winter wines, one of the real beneficiaries of the event was DuPage PADS, or Public Action to Deliver Shelter. The group, which strives to combat homelessness in DuPage, received part of the event's proceeds.
"This assistance will help individuals and families we serve obtain housing, support services and employment," PADS Executive Director Carol Simler said in a written statement. "It is our hope that as attendees enjoy the Naperville Winter Wine Festival, they are warmed by knowing donations are helping participants at DuPage PADS find a home and a future."
A Schramsberg Mirabelle sparkling wine is poured during the Naperville Winter Wine Festival at the Hotel Arista in Naperville. A portion of proceeds from the event was donated to DuPage PADS.
Mark Black/mblack@dailyherald.com
Steve Chuddy and Alesha Bondari of Villa Park look over the list of wines while attending the Naperville Winter Wine Festival at the Hotel Arista in Naperville. A portion of proceeds from the event was donated to DuPage PADS.
Mark Black/mblack@dailyherald.com
The first Naperville Winter Wine Festival at the Hotel Arista organized by Vin Chicago and inPLAY EVENTS with a portion of proceeds benefiting DuPage PADS. Organizers said the event was created to complement Naperville's long-running summer wine festival.
Mark Black/mblack@dailyherald.com