Union Des Grand Crus De Bordeaux Tasting Event Raises Over $70,000 for the Denver Public Schools Foundation

Last week, my husband and I had the pleasure of attending the Union Des Grand Crus De Bordeaux event at the Seawell Ballroom at the Denver Performing Arts Complex in Denver, Colorado. Over 60 Grand Crus de Bordeaux Chateau’s were in attendance, pouring their 2012 vintage wines. The event was hosted by Applejack’s Wine & Spirits in Wheat Ridge, CO, with the proceeds from the event going to benefit with Denver Public Schools Foundation (DPSF).

I could go on and on about all the fabulous wines we tried, but since wine preferences can be so subjective, there really isn’t a need for me to do that. I can tell you that we had an absolutely amazing experience tasting many of the wines (and cheeses!) that we did try, though we really didn’t even make a dent due to the fact that there were so many Chateau’s in attendance. Peppered throughout this piece you’ll see some pictures of some of our favorites.

More important than the wines is what the proceeds from this event went toward. Investing for our future is of utmost importance, so what better way to spend the money collected from this wine tasting event than to public school children and programs to benefit their education and personal development.

After the event, I had a chance to speak via email with Kristina Bobrowski, Communications Coordinator for DPSF, to learn as much as I could about the Denver Public Schools Foundation, what sorts of programs

they have available for the children of Denver, and how much they were able to raise from the proceeds of the Union Des Grand Crus De Bordeaux wine tasting event.

According to Bobrowski, a total of 507 people attended the Union Des Grand Crus De Bordeaux in Denver last week, raising a total of over $70,000 for the Denver Public School Foundation.

Bobrowski stated that while the money raised from this event would not go to one program in particular, the proceeds are designated to go into the general program fund at DPSF. Specifically, “this includes core and

innovative programs in STEM education, literacy, after-school programs, athletics, career and technical education and so much more.” Bobrowksi continued; “You can read more about all programs funded by the DPS Foundation on our website here.”

Following up on this, I asked her to describe just a couple of upcoming programs will ultimately benefit

from some of the $70,000 raised for DPSF at the Union Des Grand Crus De Bordeaux.

One of the programs that will see great benefit from the funds raised is the literacy program designed to help struggling readers. In regards to the literacy programs, Bobrowski said that “the funding for literacy programs will help DPS provide small group literacy intervention for struggling young readers. First grade students engaged in one such literacy program – Each One Teach One – are 2.6 times more likely to read at grade level compared to their peers.”

Another program that will be helped by the $70,000 raised from this event is Career and Technical Education (CTE) in DPS high schools. Bobrowski described the CTE program as a “specific and rigorous curriculum designed to better prepare students for college and career in the fields of work which are growing the fastest right here in Denver. Students enrolled in a CTE pathway program have a 30% greater likelihood of graduating high school than their counterparts.”

Finally, regarding the execution of the Union Des Grand Crus De Bordeaux wine tasting event as a whole, Bobrowski praised: “We are so grateful to our presenting sponsor, Christine DeRose of RBC Wealth Management and Capital Markets; their underwriting of this event was a huge part of what made it possible for us to bring the UGC tour here to Denver.

We also are so grateful to the event hosts, Applejack Wine & Spirits – and owners Debbie & Jim Shpall. They are DPS graduates and last year, when they first learned of the opportunity to bring the UGC tour to Denver, they approached us about having the event benefit the DPS Foundation.”

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A big “thank you” to all involved in this event, from Applejack Wine & Spirits and the Union Des Grand Crus De Bordeaux, to the Denver Performing Arts Center and each and every person who purchased a ticket or donated directly to the Denver Public Schools Foundation. Your love of wine not only likely put a smile on your face, but also has helped make the life of a child in Denver that much better and in a small way helped to ensure a brighter future for the next generation.