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Quintessential Family Wineries' "Road Trip" Donates Proceeds to Shaw Regional Cancer Center

Fans of lovingly-made fine wines from family-owned wineries around the world will be making their reservations and getting their passports stamped for a rare opportunity to meet talk and taste with the owners and winemakers of nearly 30 properties. It is part of the Quintessential Family Wineries' "Road Trip " making stops in Chicago Denver and Vail CO the week of May 13(th) .

Chicago's City Winery is a natural venue to host the "Road Trip" on Wednesday evening May 15 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Not only does it have the steel tanks and barrels to actually age white and red wines it boasts a concert hall large enough to accommodate the many tables that will be overflowing with wines from the best-known appellations and wine regions within most of the most popular wine-producing countries -- Argentina Australia Chile France Germany Hungary Italy Portugal South Africa Spain and the United States.

Appetizers created by City Winery's chef to pair with the wines will be provided as tasters move from one country to the next to learn about every type of wine (red white and rose still and sparkling dry off-dry semi-sweet and sweet) from the people who toil in the vineyards and wineries to bring the "fruits" of their families' labors to market.

Tickets for the Chicago stop on the Quintessential Family Wineries' "Road Trip" are $50.00. Reservations can be made on Chicago City Winery's website www.citywinery.com/chicago or by calling (312) 229-5991.

In the Denver area these winemakers will journey up the mountain to a Denver dining landmark Simms Steakhouse in Golden CO where they will be treated to a glorious view of Downtown Denver while presenting their best wines from the restaurant's two terraces. They are a key component of Simms "Wine Fest" on Saturday May 18 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Simms chefs have carefully matched delectable finger-foods to the approximately 90 wines that will be tasted. General admission is $55.00 (all inclusive) and only $49.00 for members of Landry's Select Club who gain early admission at 12:30 p.m. for a personal "meet greet and taste" with the producers. Reservations are being taken via the website www.simmssteakhouse.com.

Downtown Denver also will see a flurry of activity on Thursday and Friday May 16 and 17 with the "Road Trip" winemakers and owners taking part in a number of tastings at area wine shops on Thursday evening as well as a winemaker dinner at Morton's Denver where famed California winemaker Robert Pepi will introduce Raul Bianchi co-owner of the 85 year-old Bodega Valentin Bianchi from Argentina's Mendoza wine region. Tickets are $95.00 per person (plus tax and gratuity) for the 6:30 p.m. dinner. Seating is limited reservations are required by calling (303) 825-3353.

The "Road Trip" visits the picturesque Rocky Mountain ski town of Vail on Friday May 17 for a special charity tasting at Sonnenalp Resort starting at 6:30 p.m. More than 100 wines will be poured in an effort to raise funds for The Shaw Regional Cancer Center. Tickets are $40.00 with all the proceeds benefitting the Vail charity which provides high-quality care to cancer patients. Reservations are being taken at colleen.moylan@veraisonbev.com.

Back in Denver "South Australia Meets South Africa" at Simms Steakhouse on Friday evening May 17 at 6:30 p.m. when Kim Longbottom woman vignernon from Henry's Drive in Padthaway Australia and Johan Malan co-owner and chief winemaker of Simonsig Estate Stellenbosch South Africa showcase their wines at a unique dinner created by the restaurant's versatile chefs. This limited-seating $99.00 dinner (tax and gratuities included) is sure to be a sought-after ticket. Reservations are required and can be made through the restaurant at (303) 237-0465.

"Summer Sparklers from Around the World" at The Oceanaire Seafood Room in Denver caps off the "Road Trip" with a final toast from those producers who make both sparkling and "frizzante" wines. The strolling reception starts at 7:00 p.m. Tasters will be treated to sweet and savory hors d'ouerves paired perfectly with the bubblies. Tickets are $49.00 (plus tax and gratuities). For reservations call (303) 991-2277.