The book was made possible by the generous support of the Patrons of the WineGeese Society who celebrated the launch of the book on Saturday, June 18 at the Blue Haven in Kinsale with distinguished guests from the wine world. On Sunday, June 19, the entire Funds family joined in the celebrations at the Hayfield Manor for the official launch of A Kingdom of Wine.

Honorary Chairman, Ted Murphy also curated the exhibition The Winegeese: A Celebration of Ireland’s Wine Heritage that took place at the recently renovated Cork Public Museum located on the banks of the River Lee in Fitzgerald Park, Cork in June-July 2005. He brought together a unique collection of wine related artefacts such as wine vessels dating from the Bronze Age (2300 – 1900 BC), Irish drinking glasses and decanters dating from the 18th century, and an extensive collection of early corkscrews.

Ken Gorman and John Sharkey hosted the inaugural WineGeese dinner at the famed Sky Club in New York. Ted and Garry Murphy were their honored guests. The Texans first annual Christmas WineGeese dinner took place at the Montaigne Club in Dallas with special guest Michael Collins of Limerick Lane Cellars. The Society has now grown to 86 members worldwide and we are proud to list them here. Ted Murphy introduced the WineGeese concept to the Canadians at their annual Emerald Ball. He has now been invited back for their 2006 St Patrick’s Day Celebrations. Future dinners are planned for Denver and Toronto.

The 2006 WineGeese trip was scheduled for April 6–9 to the Sonoma Valley in California. There are few spaces left, so contact your local director as soon as possible. Marjorie Muldowney has added some great dinner speakers to the roster and Ted Murphy will be inducting former San Francisco American Ireland Fund dinner honoree and Mayor of San Francisco, Mr. Gavin Newsom into the Society.

The 2007 WineGeese tour is to Australia so start thinking of the
wonderful “wines of Oz.”