This is harvest season for grapes in many parts of the country. The harvesting of wine grapes is one of the most crucial steps in the process of winemaking. The time of harvest is determined primarily by the ripeness of the grape as measured by sugar, acid and tannin levels.
St. Matthias parish in Chicago celebrates every year on the first Sunday in October.
FOTG
When:
Sunday October 7th, 2018
12:30 PM to 6:00 PM
2018
10/07/2018 @ 12:30 PM
St. Matthias School
4910 N. Claremont
Chicago, IL 60625
The 19th annual Friends of the Grape (FOTG) is the marquee event for Friends Weekend. Friends Weekend is the largest fundraiser for Saint Matthias Parish and School having raised more than $1 million dollars since 2001.
Tickets will go on sale in August.
They are currently looking for volunteers to plan, organize, and work the event. Please contact them if you are interested.
FriendsWeekend@stmatthiasparish.com
Enjoy a taste of Lincoln Square and the surrounding neighborhoods. Over 20 local restaurants will participate serving portions of their great foods that will be paired with specialty wines for event guests.
Visit this page for tickets and auction items:
https://www.friendsweekend.com/home-grape
For more information, visit friendsofthegrape.org
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WHERE: Saint Matthias in Lincoln Square in Chicago
Here’s a Friend of the Grape Video http://youtu.be/kmkLpj7eJCk
The students at St. Matthias School were busy stomping grapes this week in preparation for the 13th annual Friends of the Grape Wine Festival and Auction.

Stomping grapes to crush them as part of the winemaking process. Photo taken at Airfield Estates in Prosser, Washington. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The winner of the Stomp was crowned the “Juice King (or Queen)”’ and received a week of grape juice.
This is one of my favorite events in the Lincoln Square area. Here’s a Lincoln Square Foodie video http://youtu.be/E4h6X-BHrLM showing all the interesting sights.

Friends of the Grape Stomp
Saint Matthias became the 13th apostle. Judas had been one of the original Twelve apostles. When he betrayed Jesus and committed suicide he was replaced with Matthias. He proudly welcomes visitors to his is a beautiful church at Claremont and Ainslie in Chicago.
The volunteers offer plenty of food and wine at “Friends of the Grape”.
Bring your checkbook and credit card because there will be over 150 items available at the silent auction. There will be plenty of gift baskets for you to purchase.
The live auction will start at 3pm. Last year, you could bid on a culinary experience for 2 at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris or a six-course dinner for 12 prepared by Chef Marin Wallner.
The sponsors will be pouring over 40 different wines. There’s plenty of wine for you to purchase.
The vast array of Lincoln Square restaurants will be offering tasty appetizers and wine pairings in the beer garden with live entertainment on Sunday, October 6th between 12:30 and 6:30 at 4910 N Claremont.
This will be the best $40 that you have spent all year. Proceeds benefit the School. Father John is always ready to welcome new parishoners to St. Matthias.
For more information go to www.stmatthiaschicago.org/…
Dr. EveAnn Lovero writes Travel Guides @ www.vino-con-vista.com