• Billee Madsen, wine importer based in Denver and Society member, provided the wines for the AIF Gala dinner in Denver on November 18th. These fine wines are produced by Esme and Sara Johnstone of Château de Sours. Sara and Esme purchased the 17th century Château de Sours in the heart of Bordeaux in 1990 and have restored it to its former glory. Esme Johnstone’s mother is of the Powerscourt family from Dublin and a descendant of Charles Stewart Parnell – the famous Irish patriot. Parnell was first elected to parliament in April 1875 and brought Home Rule from being a faint hope to the forefront of national politics.

Sara and Esme Johnstone’s nephew, Lord Clifton Wrottesley, from Galway on the Irish west coast, is captain of the Irish Winter Olympics Skeleton team, placing fourth in the 2002 Olympics. The Johnstones donated portions of money raised in selling of their wine. Lord Clifton is now busy training young Irish boys and girls from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland for the Turin Winter Olympics.

• Billee Madsen also arranged for Dallasite Terry Gwinn and his party of eight to receive a private tour and lunch at Château de Sours. The harvest was in full swing and they enjoyed a unique perspective on winemaking in France.

• Honorary Winegeese Society member, Mr. Terry Cross of Belfast, has kindly provided the auction item for the Ireland Fund of Great Britain’s Winter Ball. Five couples will have a weekend at Château de La Ligne including one dinner. The Château has its roots in the 12th century, even the great Eleanor of Aquitaine was said to have visited the Château. In the 13th century Knights Templar also inhabited its environs. Terry Cross and his partner Adèle Kane have restored it to its former glory.

October 29th Mary Ann and Eugene Smith had a party at their Texas ranch for Mr. John O’Donoghue, TD, Minister for Arts, Sport & Tourism in the government of Ireland at which Château de La Ligne wine was served. Everyone in Dallas is eagerly awaiting the arrival of these wines in the Dallas stores.

• Terry Cross and Adèle Kane hosted Dallasites Nancy and Murphy Johnston at Château de La Ligne for a week in September while Murphy was recovering from back surgery.