Applejack-logo“Nothing matters more than helping children succeed,” says Jim Shpall, owner of Applejack Wine and Liquor. “We want to do everything we can to help create an environment that will allow every student to flourish.”

So when Debbie and Jim Shpall recently achieved a great coups – bringing the premiere Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux wine tasting to Denver – their first reaction was… to call the Denver Public Schools Foundation!

The Shpalls, who own Applejack Wine & Spirits and are hosting the event,  knew right away that the largest wine event to ever come to Colorado was also a great opportunity to raise money for Denver Public Schools. The event will take place on Thursday, January 23rd at the McNichols Building in Civic Center Park.

“We knew the tasting would draw a big audience, and would generate a lot of ticket revenue,” said Jim. “We knew this was a chance to use the event proceeds to do good for this community. And we thought there was no better cause to support than our local schools and students.”

While the Shpalls are incredibly philanthropic, supporting many organizations across the state, their connection to Denver Public Schools is a personal one. They are both DPS grads – Jim from George Washington High School and Debbie from Thomas Jefferson High School.

“We know first-hand that it takes resources and funding in order for schools to reach the point where every student is graduating from high school,” says Debbie. “When the opportunity to host this premiere wine event came up, we knew we wanted to use it as a way to drive support – and awareness – for Denver Public Schools.”

The Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux wine tasting has historically been hosted in only a handful of US cities including New York and Los Angeles. This year marks the first time the premiere event has ever come to Denver.  Attendees will taste over 40 Grands Crus Bordeaux Wines, the first opportunity to sample the 2011 vintage. As an added incentive, attendees will meet and discuss the wines with the Château owners and winemakers who created them – a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many!

Proceeds from the event benefit the Denver Public Schools Foundation, and fund programs and opportunities that help 88,000 students in DPS succeed. And that, to the Shpalls, is the heart of the matter.

“Success may look like different things for different students – higher education, a healthy career,” said Jim. “But the bottom line is that we all need to do our part to help every student find success in their life. Nothing is more important.”

Tickets are $85 and include complimentary valet parking. The doors open at 6:30pm. Learn more and purchase tickets online at www.applejack.com. The event is presented by RBC Wealth Management and Capital Markets.