1 JULY 2021 | LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM – Rolls-Royce, Gucci, Virgin Galactic, VistaJet, Julius Baer and The Macallan are some of the world-class sponsors who have chosen to support not-for-profit The Golden Vines™ Awards Ceremony and Dinner to be held at Annabel’s Private Members Club on Thursday 7th October 2021.
Organised by Liquid Icons – the fine wine research and content production company founded by the late, great Gerard Basset OBE MW MS and his friend Lewis Chester DipWSET – all monies raised from the event and associated auctions will go to The Gerard Basset Wine Education Charitable Foundation to fund diversity and inclusivity wine education programmes globally including The Taylor’s Port Golden Vines Diversity Scholarships. The Foundation expects to raise over £1 million.
The Golden Vines Awards celebrates the finest wine producers globally as voted by leading members of the fine wine industry in The Gerard Basset Global Fine Wine Report. 442 leading industry figures voted in this year’s report, including 57 Masters of Wine and 31 Master Sommeliers, as well as 80 members of the wine press. The results are independently adjudicated by Deloitte, and will be announced at The Golden Vines Awards Ceremony on 7th October.
The sponsors of The Golden Vines™ Awards are:
- The Macallan – The Macallan Golden Vines Hall of Fame Award
- Rolls-Royce – The Rolls-Royce Golden Vines World’s Best Fine Wine Producer Award
“As Rolls-Royce Motor Cars we recognise the very best in Luxury and have continued to work with events and brands that help us discover a world that delights and enriches our customers’ lives. The Golden Vines recognises and awards the very best fine wines and Champagnes from across the world and we are delighted to work alongside this institution to celebrate the world’s fine wine producers in such a spectacular setting.” Boris Weletzky, Regional Director, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Limited.
- SGC – The SGC Golden Vines Best Fine Wine Producer in Europe Award
- Gucci – The Gucci Golden Vines Best Fine Wine Producer in the Americas Award
- VistaJet – The VistaJet Golden Vines Best Fine Wine Producer in the Rest of the World Award Virgin Galactic – The Virgin Galactic Golden Vines Best Rising Star Award
- Julius Baer – The Julius Baer Golden Vines Innovation Award
- Oeno – The Oeno Golden Vines Honorary Award
“We are extremely proud to sponsor this year’s Golden Vines Honorary Award which honours a true visionary and legendary figure in the wine world. It is also a privilege to be able to support the next generation of leaders in this magnificent industry at a time when the wine world is experiencing unprecedented challenges and a real need for greater inclusivity and diversity.“ Justin Knock MW, Director of Wine, Oeno.
The Golden Vines event sponsors are:
Annabel’s Private Members Club – Venue Host
Pellegrino – sponsors of Chef Mauro Colagreco & the team from 3-star Michelin restaurant and winner of the 2020 S. Pellegrino World’s Best 50 Restaurants
Christie’s – sponsors of The Golden Vines Live Event Auction
Four Corners – The Four Corners Golden Vines Winners Lunch to be held at The Connaught Hotel on 7th October 2021
“Four Corners Wine is proud to be a founding partner in this ambitious initiative. California has historically embraced many different nationalities and the diversity of its wine scene is testament to that. Research shows that diverse businesses perform better so it’s no surprise that California is producing the world’s most innovative and pioneering wines thanks to its melting pot of cultures. The financial support provided by the Golden Vines initiative will be a game changer for the global wine trade and we are excited to see the impact of a diverse talent pipeline.” Stuart Young, CEO of Four Corners.
Additional sponsors to the Event include:
Rolls-Royce – Official Golden Vines Car sponsor
Schloss-Johannisberg – Official Golden Vines Event & Auction Lot Brochures sponsor VistaJet – Official Golden Vines Private Jet sponsor
“Wine is an admirable form of art whose history keeps developing together with the evolution of human society. Looking forward to the talents of tomorrow, we are proud to support the Gerard Basset foundation in fostering global diversity, equity and inclusion in the industry, to bring more voices, more ideas, and discover new facets of winemaking. We can’t wait to continue lifting the VistaJet Wine Program with new, vibrant and exciting notes. Because wine is an experience best shared.” Matteo Atti, Group EVP of Marketing at VistaJet.
Virgin Atlantic – Official Golden Vines Airline sponsor
“We are incredibly proud to partner with the Golden Vines Awards and support the fantastic work of the Gerard Basset foundation. We share many of the values promoted through these Awards, in particular their dedication to enhancing diversity and inclusion in their industry. At Virgin Atlantic, our ambition is to be the most loved travel company and, to achieve this, we are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can bring their true selves to work and thrive..We look forward to welcoming the Diversity Scholarship, Internship & mentorship programme winners onboard in celebration of their achievements.” Shai Weiss, CEO, Virgin Atlantic.
- The Connaught Hotel – Official Golden Vines Hotel Sponsor
- Riedel – The Golden Vines Official Glassware sponsor
- Dom Ruinart – Official Golden Vines Winners Lunch Champagne sponsor
- Ruinart – Official Golden Vines After-Party Champagne sponsor
- Pellegrino – Official Golden Vines Water sponsor
- The Connaught Hotel Bar Team – Official Golden Vines Cocktail & Bar Team sponsor and winner of The 2020 World’s Best 50 Bars
- Neville Hair & Beauty – Official Hair & Make-Up sponsor
The wines and spirit to be served at The Golden Vines Awards Ceremony & Dinner have been donated by the following estates and distilleries:
- Dom Pérignon – Dom Pérignon 2003 in Magnums & Dom Pérignon P2 2003
- Egon Müller – Egon Müller Scharzhofberger Alte Reben Kabinett (Auction) 2015
- Domaine Baron Thénard – Domaine Baron Thenard Montrachet Grand Cru 2017
- Corney & Barrow – Domaine de la Romanee Conti Grands-Echezeaux 2005
- Château d’Yquem – Château d’Yquem 1988 in Jeroboams
- The Macallan – London Limited Edition Single Cask Single Malt
The wines and spirits to be served at The Golden Vines After-Party have been donated by the following champagne house and spirit companies:
- Ruinart – Ruinart Rose in Magnums
- The Macallan
- Suntory Beam – portfolio collection of spirits
The Golden Vines Awards Ceremony & Dinner will feature entertainment from a world-class enduring performing artist, the world’s most famous gospel choir and a number of special guest DJs. Shantell Martin, who is producing the artwork for The Golden Vines Trophy, shall perform a live artwork which will be auctioned for the Gerard Basset Charitable Foundation at the Christie’s Live Event Auction, along with auction lots donated from The Golden Vines Sponsors and friends of the Event. Additionally, The Golden Vines Fine Wine, Rare Spirit & Experience Auction will be available as an online global auction using an eBrochure with embedded WPA technology to allow for bidding globally, open from Thursday 23rd September and closing on the night of The Golden Vines Awards Ceremony & Dinner on Thursday 7th October. Each auction lot will feature large formats or rarities, as well as a ‘money-can’t-buy’ experience from a large number of the world’s top fine wine estates and spirit distilleries.
About Liquid Icons:
Liquid Icons is a fine wine research and content production company founded by two friends to “do stuff in wine” – the late, great Gerard Basset OBE MW MS and Lewis Chester DipWSET. We create first-class original content and research about the world’s greatest fine wines and spirits. Our work encompasses motion picture, industry research, recognition and celebration of wine and spirits excellence, charitable and fundraising activities, as well as educational initiatives.
About The Gerard Basset Wine Education Charitable Foundation:
Set up to honour the legacy and memory of Gerard Basset OBE MW MS by addressing the wine industry’s most pressing issues through education, training & mentorship, the Gerard Basset Wine Education Charitable Foundation comprises a multidisciplinary team of industry-leading professionals as its Trustees: Nina Basset FIH, Romané Basset, Lewis Chester DipWSET, Ian Harris MBE DipWSET, and Jancis Robinson OBE MW.
