Wine and Roses Festival Raises $205,000
SOUTH SIOUX CITY -- The 15th annual Wine and Roses Festival concluded Saturday night, bringing to a close a weekend that raised an estimated $205,000 in support of the Alzheimer’s Association, Big Sioux Chapter.
"We’re grateful to all our friends in the community, old and new, who came together to support our work," said Eric Newhouse, Alzheimer’s Association interim president/CEO.
All proceeds raised by the Wine and Roses Festival support programs and services provided throughout metro Siouxland, northwest Iowa, northeast Nebraska and southeast South Dakota.
Persons who were not able to attend the festival but still wish to make a donation may do so by calling the Alzheimer's Association at (712) 279-5802.
The Wine and Roses Festival kicked off Thursday night at Willow Creek Golf Course in Le Mars, Iowa, with the largest Time to Remember ever, attracting a crowd of nearly 200 and raising $20,000 for Plymouth County services. Friday night saw a sold-out Winemakers Dinner for more than 200 guests at the Marina Inn in South Sioux City.
Saturday afternoon’s Wine Clinic was conducted by visiting California winemaker Katie Madigan who poured and discussed several chardonnays and merlots from the St. Francis Winery in Sonoma County.
Finally, Saturday’s gala tasting and auctions -- the original Night of Wine and Roses -- brought a little old Hollywood glamour to the Marina Center. A crowd of several hundred sampled great food and great wine and bid on for silent and live auctions of more than 150 items, including fine wine and jewelry as well as more eclectic items like artworks created by San Diego area care facility residents living with Alzheimer’s.
Newhouse recognized the efforts of festival chair Ken O’Dea and honorary co-chairs Greg and Teri Grupp, signature sponsor Pflanz Electronics, and the dozens of volunteers involved in the planning the event.
Guest winemakers included Jim Callahan of Napa's Burgess Cellars; Kitri Culbertson of Oregon's Sokol Blosser Winery; Michael Bonner of Firesteed Cellars, also Oregon-based; Vance Rose of 5 Mile Bridge in Paso Robles, Calif.; Peter Prager of Prager Winery & Port Works in Napa; Billy Wieman of New Mexico's Gruet Winery, and Rick and Tammy Bertrand, owners and importers of Argentina's Tarini Wines.
- from the Sioux City Journal