The merchants on East Elm Street in Winnetka sure know how to welcome the autumn equinox. For the 4th year in a row, the East Elm Wine Walk on Saturday, September 22, is transforming the East Elm Business District into a carefully curated culinary smorgasbord of fine wine and local cuisine—all for a fantastic cause.

“This is the third year we will direct proceeds from the event directly to the Boys Hope Girls Hope organization, a nonprofit that helps scholars obtain a quality education while residing in its North Shore-area group homes,” says Debbie McMahon, co-chair and founder of the East Elm Wine Walk. “We team up with Tom Boyle of the Wilmette Wine Cellar each fall to produce the event. In addition to soliciting the wine merchants, he curates a wine for each stop that pairs with food offered and provides a knowledgeable representative to speak about the wine being sampled.”

The walk typically features around 16 stops, creating a moveable feast of shopping, wine tasting, food pairings, and socializing. McMahon says there will be even more musical acts this year, plus a fun lounging area to savor the evening. “This event is only possible with the support we receive from Tom Boyle, the Winnetka-Northfield Chamber of Commerce, the Village of Winnetka, Compass Real Estate, and Northview Bank and Trust,” she adds. “It really showcases all the area has to offer.”

Ready for sweater and boot weather? We can’t think of a better way to get in the mood for fall and raise some glasses to a worthy mission.

The East Elm Wine Walk runs from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, September 22. Tickets are $50. For more information about the annual walk, visit picatic.com/EastElmWineWalk2018. For more information about Boys Hope Girls Hope, visit boyshopegirlshope.org/Illinois.