400 guests attended the 9^th annual d’Vine Affair Wine Tasting at the elegant Union League Club in Chicago on Sunday, January 31. The event raised over $90,000 for Catholic Charities Self-Sufficiency Programs in Cook and Lake counties.

Guests were able to taste from among 275 fine wines from around the world.  The event featured hors d'oeuvres and a wine-tasting seminar conducted by Bob Bansberg, famous Chicago sommelier, and Patrick Fegan, Founder of the Chicago Wine School.  A silent auction offered special wines, wine drinking accessories, and gift certificates for area fine dining. Many guests took advantage of an option new to the event this year: a delicious dinner at Quartino Ristorante, with complimentary transportation to and from the restaurant. The d’Vine Affair Committee thanks the generous support of guests and sponsors including Edgewater Management, Inc., Glunz Family Wines, Inc., Harris Bank Investor Services, Louis Glunz Beer, Inc., the Helen Brach Foundation and Quartino Ristorante.

 The proceeds from the d’Vine Affair benefit Catholic Charities’ innovative Self-Sufficiency programs in Cook and Lake Counties. Unlike crisis programs which offer temporary solutions, the multi-year relationship between the low-income families and their counselors in the Self-Sufficiency programs supports families as they master budgeting, parenting and planning skills and are transformed into proud and self-reliant members of their communities.

Beyond the annual January gathering, d’Vine Affair Home Wine Tasting Parties offer a perfect way for interested hosts to open up their homes and hearts to Catholic Charities throughout the year. “The Home Tasting Parties bring exposure to outlying communities about the Self-Sufficiency programs at Catholic Charities,” stated event co-chair Jean Imperato.  She began hosting several years ago with a friend and had so much fun and got so much satisfaction from the experience that she now helps others open their homes for parties with their friends. Like the d’Vine Affair, the Home Wine Tasting Parties provide all the elements of a fun and educational sampling of wines and raise funds for the vital work of the Self-Sufficiency programs.

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago is one of the largest private, not-for-profit social service agencies in the Midwest, annually assisting 1.1 million persons in Cook and Lake counties without regard to religious, ethnic or economic background. Catholic Charities fulfills the Church's role in the mission of charity by providing compassionate, competent, professional services that strengthen and support individuals, families and communities.