Annual Benefit Wine-Tasting

Graue Mill and Museum, in association with Stellar Cellars of Morton Grove, has set October 11 as the date for the museum’s third annual benefit wine-tasting evening. The evening, which is both a social event and the museum’s largest annual fund-raiser, will be held in the Frederick Graue House and lawn.

John and Elisa Templeton and Maryann and Mark Kaufman are co-chairing the planning committee this year, assisted by a dedicated volunteer committee. Joining the event are special guests, John and Ellen Benish of Hinsdale, proprietors of Benessere Vineyards.

The highlight of the evening will be tastings of a variety of wines from Benessere Vineyards of Napa Valley from its outstanding 2012 fall portfolio. Known for producing small lots of Italian-inspired wines in California, Benessere has produced a number of award-winning wines. Its 2007 “Phenomenon,” which will be among the wines tasted at the event, received Best of Show and Double Gold Medal at the Hilton Head Island International Wine Competition in 2012.

Each wine will be paired with carefully selected gourmet offerings prepared by Gourmet Chez Vous of Burr Ridge.

Proceeds from the event go directly to the operating costs of Graue Mill and Museum, the 1852 gristmill that has been open as a museum since 1950. The museum, which is listed on the National Register of Historical Places and is an Illinois Mechanical Engineering Landmark, receives no taxpayer dollars. The building and grounds are owned and maintained by the Forest Preserve District of DuPage county but all operating expenses are the responsibility of the DuPage Graue Mill Corporation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

Each year, more than 8,000 schoolchildren visit the museum on field trips, including schools from as far as away as Mokena and Elgin. Another 10,000 visitors tour the mill on their own, taking advantage of the unique opportunity to view an operating gristmill offering daily demonstrations of cornmeal grinding, weaving, and spinning.

Revenues raised from admission fees and gift shop sales cover only a portion of the museum’s annual operating expenses. Museum operations each year would not be possible without funds raised at this and other fundraising events, and generous contributions from both corporate and individual supporters.

Tickets are $150 per person. Advance tickets are required and can be purchased by calling 630-920-9720.