Wine Festival

Saturday, March 4, 2023

Dimitri Wine & Spirits
1735 W 3rd St, Davenport, IA, 52802
4-6 pm
$50 per person at the door

About the Event 
Join us for a casual tasting in the Dimitri Wine & Spirits warehouse. Dimitri Papageorgiou and his staff are eager to offer you a sampling of their favorite wines while you enjoy delicacies from several Quad Cities restaurants. A special thank you goes out to Dimitri and Kathy '94 Papageorgiou for hosting this event.

2023 Wine at the Warehouse Food Sponsors
Antonella's II
Biaggi's
Happy Joe's Pizza
Flaherty's Irish Candy 
QC Coffee & Pancake House
Waterfront Deli
Village Corner Deli 

Event Details
Dress code is casual.
The doors open promptly at 4 p.m.
Parking is available on the street, as well as in the Ascentra Credit Union lot across the street.
Wine Festival glasses will be available for purchase.  $10 each, a set of 2 for $15, or a set of 4 for $30.

Saturday, April 15, 2023
6:00 pm
Rogalski Center Ballroom, St. Ambrose University 
$150 per person, $1,500 eight-person table sponsorship 
Interested in attending?  Purchase your tickets here.

About this event: 
Join us in April for an elegant evening in the Rogalski Center Ballroom including featured wine from our vintner. Enjoy a delicious meal alongside a live and silent auction. 

2023 Vintner: Kristin Milles, Midwest Regional Manager for Dalla Terra Winery Direct

Kristin Milles has been working in the wine industry for more than twenty five years. She became fascinated by wine while working at Spiaggia, who helped revolutionize the Cucina Italiana in the United States, to supplement college costs. Thanks to Mr. Henry Bishop, she has the opportunity to intern at Direct Import Wine Company, which then led to a position with Neil Empson Wines. From 1997 to 2005, Kristin lived in New York and help positions in Sales, Marketing, and Public Relations for Winebow's Leonardo LoCascio Selections.

Since returning to Chicago in 2006, she has been the Midwest Regional Manager for Dalla Terra Winery Direct. Translated as "Of the Earth", Dalla Terra represents many of Italy's icons, with a focus on sustainable, organic and biodynamic practices. In addition to her management position, Kristin has been Consigliere to Dalla Terra's president since 2016, Special Envoy of the Alois Lageder winery, and group leader of distributor salespeople across Italy's wine country. 

Kristin studied at the University of Florence and holds a BA in Italian Literature from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She speaks fluent Italian and her extensive travels in Italy have taken her to 19 of the 20 regions. She has appeared on PBS' "Ciao Italia" with Mary Ann Esposito, annually attends the VinItaly Wine Expo in Verona, and has presented at wine education and marketing events across the United States. 

Menu

Salad- Butternut squash salad with spinach, apple, goat cheese, spiced walnuts & orange vinaigrette

Main Course- Beef tenderloin with red wine cherry reduction; Roasted salmon with chermoula sauce; Herb-crusted fingerling potatoes; Roasted asparagus

Dessert-Chocolate molten lava cake with raspberries

Saturday, May 20, 2023

3-6 p.m.
St. Ambrose University Campus
$50 per person

Underneath the towering oak trees, sip your way through a spectacular assortment of 120 wines from around the world and enjoy culinary highlights from a number of Quad City restaurants. Last year, we welcomed The Phoenix, Antonella's II, Biaggi's Ristorante Italiano, Flaherty Irish Candy Company, QC Pancake House, Tantra Asian Bistro/Sriracha Thai Bistro and Oyster Bar, and Waterfront Deli as our featured restaurants. 

Our festival vintner, Dimitri Papageorgiou, offers his years of experience in the wine industry to assemble an impressive assortment of wines from California to Germany to New Zealand. The Wine Festival Wine Tasting has earned the reputation as a premiere Quad Cities event and draws nearly 1,000 people to campus annually to support student scholarships.

Click here to purchase tickets

The success of the Wine Festival is based largely on the volunteer role of the Quad Cities community and how it rallies behind this noble effort of supporting higher education.

The following group of individuals works diligently to ensure the Wine Festival is a success. We are grateful for the time and effort they commit to this important event trio.

Wine Festival Chairs
Ed and Molly Carroll

Event Management Chairs
Chris '04, '06 MPS and Kristen '07, '08 MOT Mandle

Media Chairs
Josh '08 and Ann '08 McIntyre

Preview Dinner Co-Chairs
Ed and Molly Carroll

Paul and Lisa Harrington

Boutique Wine Silent Auction Chair
Thomas Mason IV '90

Sponsorship Co-Chairs
Gene and Susan Krueger

Sponsorship Co-Chairs
Brian Matlock and Tracy Schuster-Matlock

Wine Festival & Vintner Chair
Dimitri Papageorgiou, Dimitri Wine & Spirits, Inc.

At Large
John and Nancy Hayes

John and Mandy Pavelka

St. Ambrose University Staff
Wendy Pondell '05, '22, Director of Alumni Engagement

Ex Officio
President Amy C. Novak, EdD, St. Ambrose University

The success of the Wine Festival would not be possible without the generous support of many individuals and organizations. Wine Festival cash sponsors are deeply committed to supporting the academic success of our students. Their commitment is humbling and we can't thank them enough for all that they do. 

Sponsors recieve various perks depending on their level of commitment. If you're interested in becoming a Wine Festival cash sponsor, please contact Wendy Pondell. 

2023 Reserva Sponsors
Dimitri Wine & Spirits, Inc.
Mechanical Contractors Association and Plumbers & Pipefitters Local Union #25
NelsonCorp Wealth Management
Sodexo Campus Services
Tri-City Electric Co. 

2023 Cabernet Sponsor
Anonymous
Valley Construction

2023 Bordeaux Sponsor
Hornbuckle Heating and Air Conditioning 

2023 Merlot Sponsor
KONE Inc. 
Davenport Printing Co.
Dynamic Tube Inc.
Treiber Construction Co. Inc.

2023 Chardonnay Sponsors
Follet Educational Services
Iowa Trust & Savings Bank
Joseph and Joyce O'Rourke
Studio 483 Architects

2023 Table Sponsors
Dimitri Wine & Spirits, Inc.
IMPACT/ILLOW
Insurance Planning Services Corp.
Hannon Made LLC
Judy and Richard Kreiter
JRP Operational
Lane & Waterman LLP
Leslie '91 and Brian '91 Bassier
Mechanical Contractors Association and Plumbers & Pipefitters Local Union #25
Molly and Ed Carroll
Nancy and John Hayes
NelsonCorp Wealth Management
Nikulski Financial, Inc. 
Rock Island Dental Associates
Ruhl & Ruhl
Sodexo Campus Services
The Cities Private Wealth Group
Thomas Mason IV and Chris Townsend 
Tracy-Schuster Matlock and Brian Matlock

2023 Individual Cash Sponsors
Frances Naal
Becky and Mick Pracht
Debbie Johnson Schwiebert 
Jeanne Wonio
Vic and Kathy Quinn

2023 Media Sponsors 
KALA Radio, St. Ambrose University 
KWQC-TV 6
The Catholic Messenger
The Quad City Times
QC Media Partners

2023 In-Kind Sponsors
Mandle Design
 

How am I helping?

Wine Festival supporters are an important piece of our students' education. Each time you attend a Wine Festival event, you are helping assist our students directly. Wine Festival supporters help in various ways from being an event sponsor, auction donor, table sponsor, and/or ticket holder. 

If you are interested in volunteering, becoming a sponsor, or donating an auction item, please contact Wendy Pondell in the Advancement and Alumni Engagement Office at 563-333-6057. Tickets to all events can be purchased online when they become available.

Who benefits from this generosity?

Our students! 99 percent of St. Ambrose students qualify for financial aid; that adds up to more than $27 million awarded each year from institutional and private support! Many of these students benefit from the more than $1.7 million that has been raised through the Wine Festival since its inception.

St. Ambrose continues to provide an environment where first generation college students and students from lower and middle income families can receive a values-based education. These important dollars help support students that otherwise may not be able to attend a school that offers small classes, individualized attention, and supportive campus services.

What about the St. Ambrose budget?

St. Ambrose University is dedicated to providing a quality, affordable education. That's why nearly 30 percent of the university's operating budget is dedicated to scholarships and other forms of financial assistance. Even with this dedication, our residential students and their families pay an average of $11,000-$15,000 in out-of-pocket expenses.

Who plans the Wine Festival?

The Wine Festival is a volunteer, community-driven event. Supporters in the community come together as a committee each year to plan all three events – volunteering their time, talent, and treasure to raise money for student scholarships at St. Ambrose. The committee members devote countless hours promoting the events, planning the logistics, and garnering support from the greater community. These events would not be possible without them. 

The St. Ambrose University Wine Festival boasts fine wine, but it is about so much more than that.

For over 20 years, individuals and organizations have supported the SAU Wine Festival because it provides financial support to students of all backgrounds. These students are looking to make a difference in their communities as nurses, teachers, accountants, engineers, and so much more. But, they would not be able to realize their dreams without the support of the Wine Festival and its generous supporters.

To date, more than $1.7 million has been raised to help these students achieve a college education, and during our 22nd year, we would like to add $100,000 to this total.

Below you can see the 2023 sponsorship details. We hope to add you as a sponsor this year and tell our students about your generosity and dedication to their futures. 

Last year, we were grateful for 11 live auction items that total well over $13,000 and almost 60 wine offerings totaling over $6,000. Thank you to all who donated to make this possible!, and thank you to those who bid at our upcoming Preview Dinner event, taking place on April 15th!

We will share our 2023 live and silent auction items in early April. You can expect fantastic items like the 2022 items listed below. If you're interested in donating a live or boutique auction item, please contact Wendy Pondell for more information. 

Live Auction

Fight, Fight, Fight for Iowa State
Donated by: Kristyn & Kurt Tjaden and
Iowa State University
Valued at $1,500
Did last year's season leave you wanting more
Iowa State football? 2022 is here, and we've got a great game day experience. Don't miss your chance to cheer on the Cyclones at any home game. You'll enjoy reserved parking near the
stadium, four tickets in the ISU Director of
Athletics Suite in the Jacobsen Building including indoor or outdoor seating, food and soft drinks during the game, four passes to pre- and
post-game tailgates.

Windy City Weekend
Donated by: Heidi Parkhurst & Steve McCann and SAU Advancement & Alumni Office
Valued at $900
Enjoy a weekend in Chicago! You can choose whether to take in a show, sample new cuisine or enjoy one of the multiple activities this city has to offer. You and three guests can enjoy a 2-night stay in a 2 bed/1 bath condo in the West Loop
area, within walking distance of Greektown. A $300 VISA gift card gives you the freedom to plan your ideal weekend at a time that works
best for you.

Sail, Savor, and Stay
Donated by: Brazen Open Kitchen|Bar, Hotel Julien,
and Riverboat Twilight
Valued at $1,250
Enjoy the mighty Mississippi from a new vantage point. You and a guest will set sail on a two-day cruise aboard the Riverboat Twilight. As you travel northward to Dubuque from LeClaire, you'll enjoy captivating views and live entertainment. Enjoy a luxurious evening in Dubuque at the Hotel Julien, as well as dinner at Brazen Open Kitchen|Bar
before returning to LeClaire the following
afternoon. There's no better way to experience Dubuque, the "Masterpiece of the Mississippi."

Davenport's Finest
Donated by: Davenport Country Club, Gentry Shop and Rhythm City Casino
Valued at $1,600
There are no finer establishments than the three
included in this grouping. Enjoy golf for four at
Davenport Country Club. This private member-owned club has always been rated one of the best in the state by Golf Digest. Shop at the Gentry Shop, the pinnacle of the highest quality clothing for men and women in the area since 1948. And take in a view like no other at Ruthie's Steak and Seafood. From the top of the Rhythm City Casino, you'll enjoy service that you'd expect from a five-star restaurant married with the ambiance of a Chicago steakhouse, right here along the banks of the Mississippi. Take the opportunity to explore these hometown treasures!

Gourmet Dinner for 8
Donated by: Myra & Mike Daniel
Valued at $2,000
Prepare for a gourmet experience like no other. This elaborate multi-course dinner for 8 people is prepared and hosted by Chef Mike and Myra
Daniel in their home. You'll enjoy fresh, unique, and in-season ingredients. Each course will be
expertly paired with fine wine. It's an
unforgettable way to spend the evening with a group of friends or family.

Cheer, Cheer for Notre Dame
Donated by:
Rachel '04 MBA & Thomas Mason IV '91
and Sara Liebscher, University of Notre Dame
Valued at $1,000
Put on your blue and gold and head to South Bend for the weekend of October 22. Enjoy a 2-night stay at the Home2 Suites by Hilton in Elkhart, IN (just 12 miles from the ND campus). On Friday, you'll enjoy 2 VIP Pep Rally passes from a special section near the stage. Saturday will be jam-packed with 2 passes to the Coach's Keys and Ask Jack program, a locker room tour, a parking pass, a pre-game tailgate with the Masons, and 2 tickets to the Notre Dame versus UNLV football game.

Outdoor Oasis
Knilan's Furniture and Interior Design,
Suburban Landscape & an anonymous donor
Valued at $1,300
Now's the time to create the outdoor sanctuary you've always imagined. Start with a landscaping consultation with Suburban Landscape and $250 toward your dream design. Add a few notable
accessories from Knilan's Furniture to add a touch of class to the space. Finally, make the space not only more desirable, but highly versatile with the addition of 55" Samsung QLED Smart TV! Whether you're hosting company, relaxing during the 7th inning stretch or enjoying the beautiful weather, this space will become your favorite in no time.

2016 Oakville Winegrowers Cabernet Sauvignon 'Oakville Cuvee' - 3 Liter
Donated by: Carol & Bill '78 Brockway
Valued at $1,800
Arguably THE rarest significant wine produced in Napa Valley! The 2016 Cuvée shows deep purple color in the glass, hinting at the generous
extraction in this wine. The aroma offers complex layers of ripe dark plum and strawberries, dark chocolate, and a savory hint of bay and toasted almonds. The palate shows a bright red-fruit driven entry with very linear tannin presentation, elegant structure and good density. It has a rich dark berry mid-palate, and an enduring finish that is both rich and bright with just a touch of barrel
sweetness.

Cruise the Mississippi
Donated by: Caroline Ruhl & John Thompson '70
Valued at $1,000
Enjoy a boat ride for 6 departing from Rapids City, IL with Captain John Thompson and first mate
Caroline Ruhl. Sip on drinks and nosh on hors d'oeuvres while you soak in the sights of the Mighty Mississippi. Dock at a restaurant on the river and take part in a complimentary dinner.

Come to the Table with the Novaks!
Donated by: Amy & Ken Novak
Priceless opportunity!
Enjoy a special evening of invigorating
conversation and fellowship with Ken and Amy Novak at their home. The Novaks will prepare freshly grilled cedar plank salmon and specialty sides for you, and a variety of domestic and
imported beers and wine will be featured in this evening of laughter and delight. It's a big table - eight people can partake in this unique experience in a relaxed atmosphere.

Experience Materra Virtual Tasting
Donated by: Brian Cunat,
Materra Family Vineyards
Valued at $1,000
Imagine yourself in the beauty of Napa Valley with a virtual tasting for 4 to 8 people. Enjoy a 2016 Materra Cunat Reserve (3L bottle). You'll hear about Materra's story from the winemaker and learn first-hand of the Cunat family's passion for winemaking and the Materra brand. Offer good through May 2023.

Wine Boutique Silent Auction Items

Red Dinner Mystery Case - 12 bottles
$350 Sacred Heart Cathedral Red Dinner Committee

2016, 2017 & 2018 Inglenook - 3 bottle set
$300 Dana & Dr. Mark Wilkinson

2018, 2019 & 2019 Cakebread Cellars -3 bottle set
$225 The SAU Vice Presidents

2014, 2017 & 2017 Highlands - 3 bottle set
$220 Rita '97 & Mark Bawden

2012, 2013 & 2013 Keenan - 3 bottle set
$210 Ed Henkhaus '64 & Mary Blong

2011 & 2012 Donelan - 2 bottle set
$200 Lisa & Paul Harrington

2017 Quintessa Rutherford
$200 Regina & Michael Matheson

2018 Odette Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
$168 Steve ‘99 & Kathy ‘01 Anderson, Eric Anderson ‘00 and Katy & Nathan Miller

2019 Mercury Head Cabernet Sauvignon
$155 Molly & P.J. '01, '05 MOL Foley

2004 Pillar Rock Cabernet Sauvignon
$150 Rachel '04 MBA & Thomas IV '91 Mason

2006 Revana Cabernet Sauvignon
$150 Nora & Joe Riley

2009 & 2015 Bremer Family Claret - 2 bottle set
$150 Mary Anne & Kelly Carroll

2012 Donelan "Obsidian" Syrah
$150 Kathy '94 & Dimitri Papageorgiou

2011 & 2020 Materra - 2 bottle set
$150 Kathy '94 & Dimitri Papageorgiou

2016, 2018, & 2020 Truchard - 3 bottle set
$150 Amy & Ken Novak

Graham's 30 Year Tawny Porto
$145 Diane & Michael Puthoff

2008 Raymond "Generations" Cabernet Sauvignon
$140 Kathy '94 & Dimitri Papageorgiou

2018 Ivy & Thistle Cabernet Sauvignon
$140 Rachel '04 MBA & Thomas IV '91 Mason

2016 & 2017 Chappellet - 2 bottle set
$125 Christy & Steve '02 MBA Finn

2016 Groth Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
$125 Ed & Molly Carroll

2009 Hewitt Cabernet Sauvignon
$120 Marie ‘78 & Dale Ziegler

2017 & 2018 Smith-Madrone - 2 bottle set
$110 Ed & Mary Littig

2017, 2018 & 2021 Balletto - 3 bottle set
$108 John H. Anderson '87

2013 Bennett Lane Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
$105 Rachel '04 MBA & Thomas IV '91 Mason

2013 & 2017 Judds Hill - 2 bottle set
$100 Anne & Ethan Gannaway

Water 2 Wine - 3 bottle set
$100 Paul C. Miller

2017 Highlands "Reserve" Cabernet Sauvignon
$95 Kathy '94 & Dimitri Papageorgiou

2018 & 2019 Messina Hof Winery - 2 bottle set
$95 Wendy '05 & Sean '08, '16 MBA Pondell

2012 ZD Wines Norman de Leuze ZD Founder's Reserve Pinot Noir
$90 Kathy '94 & Dimitri Papageorgiou

2014 & 2017 Carlson - 2 bottle set
$90 Kathy '94 & Dimitri Papageorgiou

2016 Rutherford Ranch Estate Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
$85 Rachel '04 MBA & Thomas IV '91 Mason

2017 Highlands Cabernet Sauvignon
$85 St. Ambrose Alumni Association

2009 Pride Mountain Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
$80 Kerry & Fred '03 MOL Smith

2018 & 2019 Miner - 2 bottle set
$80 Tracy & Brian Matlock

2011 Hess Collection 19 Block Mountain Cuvee Cabernet Sauvignon
$75 Kathy '94 & Dimitri Papageorgiou

2016 Terra Di Lavoro
$75 Tracy & Brian Matlock

2012 Donelan "Walker Vine Hill" Syrah
$70 Kathy '94 & Dimitr Papageorgiou

2012 Donelan "Walker Vine Hill" Syrah
$70 Maureen & Dan Baldwin

2013 Pedroncelli Cabernet Sauvignon - 1.5 L
$70 Jim Pedroncelli

2019 Hirsch Vineyards, The Bohan-Dillon Pinot Noir
$70 Ed & Molly Carroll

2015 Brunello Di Montalcino Poggio Landi
$65 Tracy & Brian Matlock

2011 Donelan "Cuvee Christine" Syrah
$62 Kathy '94 & Dimitr Papageorgiou

2006 & 2007 Clif "Gary's Improv" - 2 bottle set
$60 Kathy '94 & Dimitr Papageorgiou

2014 Emilio Moro "Malleolus" Tempranullo
$60 Kathy '94 & Dimitri Papageorgiou

2014 Enrico Serafino Barolo DOCG
$60 Kathy '94 & Dimitri Papageorgiou

2018 Smith-Madrone Cabernet Sauvignon
$60 Kathy '94 & Dimitri Papageorgiou

2019 Monts Damnes Sancerre Gerard Boulay
$60 Tracy & Brian Matlock

2018 Smith-Madrone Chardonnay
$50 Angela & Josh Vaaler

2019 Truchard Pinot Noir
$45 Kathy '94 & Dimitri Papageorgiou

2002 Smith Woodhouse Late Bottled Vintage Porto
$40 Kathy '94 & Dimitri Papageorgiou

2015 Skouras "Megas Oenos" Red Blend
$40 Kathy '94 & Dimitri Papageorgiou

2018 Balletto Estate Pinot Noir
$40 Kathy '94 & Dimitri Papageorgiou

2020 Cantina di Tortona Bianco Piccolo Derthona Colli Tortonesi
$32 Kathy '94 & Dimitri Papageorgiou

2001 Chateau LaFaurie-Peyraguey
$30 Tracy & Brian Matlock

2018 Hendry
$30 Mike & Bonnie Byrne

2019 Vietti Perbacco Nebbiolo Langhe DOC
$30 Kathy '94 & Dimitri Papageorgiou

IL Cuore Sparkling Blanc de Noirs
$28 Kathy '94 & Dimitr Papageorgiou

Tessari Garganega Sparkling Brut
$25 Kathy '94 & Dimitri Papageorgiou