Wine Legends Dinner V

 Grapes for Humanity Global is delighted to announce our next Wine Legends Dinner on October 16th, 2024 in New York City at The Bazaar by José Andrés.

Dear friends,

Working with our longtime partner World Central Kitchen and its founder Chef José Andrés, HAS has begun a food relief effort in Haiti’s Artibonite, where hunger has reached a crisis point.

Transporting supplies under cover of night and quickly pulling together cooking and service teams including HAS staff, local community workers and World Central Kitchen, the relief effort began yesterday at the HAS hospital. Over 300 hot meals were served on the first day – and the scale up will be rapid. With food insecurity rapidly reaching famine level, this week we will roll out with the goal of serving 1000 meals per day at multiple sites including our health centers in Deschapelles as well as our remote sites in the mountains of Bastien and Tienne.

All the while, HAS continues in our mission to deliver health services to hundreds of thousands – from daily outpatient care to complex surgeries.

This incredible food relief effort will impact our local communities in Haiti in so many positive ways. Not only will we be feeding daily hot meals to those who are approaching starvation, but the ingredients for the meals are sourced from local farmers and providers to help support the local economy in the Artibonite, which has been devastated by the chaos. With roads blocked, farmers and distributors have been cut off and unable to transport their crops and food to markets, devastating the local economy. This food relief effort will provide them with a much needed lifeline.

We thank World Central Kitchen and you for supporting HAS and for steadfastly standing with the people of Haiti.

“Haitian favorites Rice and Red Beans, with chicken in a Red Sauce were served yesterday.”

We are grateful for our many supporters and partners, especially World Central Kitchen and YOU, who join us to make essential humanitarian work possible during this tumultuous time in Haiti.

Our incredible Haitian team will continue to deliver their very best efforts to keep the life-saving care flowing. 

Sincerely,

Jean Marc de Matteis
CEO

This is the project we have supported for over 20 years.  

All the proceeds from our October 16, 2024 Dinner will be targeted to HAS.    

Please donate:   gfhglobal.org/donate. 

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Recapping our 20th Anniversary, Fine Wine Dinner, 2023

We celebrated our 20 years of Grapes for Humanity Global at Fine Wine Dinner.

“… Two decades of GFH Global has been an incredible journey, and none of our work would have been possible without the continued and unwavering support of the international wine community. Many leading wine families serve on our honorary board of directors, and their support has been instrumental to our success. We are honored and deeply appreciative of their support as demonstrated by their personal involvement and contributions of their wonderful wines.

 Here’s to Grapes for Humanity Global Foundation, may our work continue to help alleviate suffering across the world.”

-Arlene Willis
CEO and Founder

Email [email protected].

As we reflect on the joyous moments of our 20th Anniversary dinner, we extend our sincerest gratitude to the international wine community. Their generous donation of exceptional wines added a level of sophistication and delight that made our celebration truly extraordinary.

Their commitment to producing wines of unparalleled quality and flavor was evident in every sip, contributing to the warmth and camaraderie of the evening. Your support transformed our milestone celebration into an exquisite journey of taste and appreciation.

Thank you for being an integral part of our special night and for sharing your passion with us. Your continued contributions throughout the years made our 20th Anniversary an unforgettable experience. 

Here’s to the artistry of your wines and the memories they help create—may your vineyards continue to flourish, producing bottles of joy for all to savor

Sending a warm thank you to special guests attending the Grapes for Humanity Global Fine Wine Dinner.  Your presence was the highlight of the evening.

PIERRE-HENRY GAGEY

TONY ASPLER

ALLESIA ANTINORI

CHRISTOPHER LYNCH

DAVID PEARSON

LARISA GALADZA

XAVIER BARLIER

JEAN-GUILLAUME PRATS

Chef Jean-Christophe LePicart was the secret ingredient that made our 20th Anniversary dinner extraordinary! 

His culinary artistry elevated the evening to perfection. Thank you Chef Jean-Christophe LePicart for sharing your talent with us! 

For an encore of his incredible creations, check out Feast & Fêtes Catering from Restaurant DANIEL. 






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Auction for climate action begins next week

Grapes for Humanity Canada is proud to partner with Dymon Wine Cellar and Waddington’s Auctioneers to present Grapes for Climate Change Action – Wine Auction.

Proceeds from the auction will be directed to aid the battle against the threat of Climate Change and to support humanitarian efforts in Ukraine. 

The Grapes for Humanity Wine Auction will be offered online October 12-19: the preview gallery will be available to view shortly.

The auction features some of the most sought-after bottles of wine, exceptional ready-to-drink wines, special items like autographed bottles and guitars donated by Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson of Rush, Canadian winemakers’ dinners in top restaurants, unique winery experiences in Canada and abroad, guided tours of difficult-to-access forests, and much more. Also of note, returning to the auction is Cuvée from the Heart – community blends from Ontario and BC winemakers who contributed their best wines to create barrels of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Proceeds from the auction will benefit the Nature Conservancy of Canada, Tree Canada, humanitarian relief in Ukraine and The Halo Trust.

Featured lots include:

  • A private tour of Château Latour, Bordeaux France Winery and tasting, along with two bottles of legendary vintages, 1945 and 1959, followed by lunch at Château Latour (for four guests). The 1959 Latour is donated and signed by Geddy Lee.
  • World-renowed musicians, singers, songwriters Les Claypool, along with his wife Chaney, Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson will host eight guests at the famed Barberian’s Steak House located in Toronto.
  • A Geddy Lee autographed Fender Jazz Bass, as well as an Alex Lifeson Autographed Epiphone Les Paul.
  • Magnums of Il Palagio Sister Moon 2016, autographed by owners Sting and Trudie Styler. 
  • One bottle of Invivo X SJP Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough 2021, and a bottle of Rose Sud de France 2021, signed by Sarah Jessica Parker, as well as a pair of SJP shoes.
  • Numerous special wines from Geddy Lee’s personal cellar.

“Both Alex and I are once again pleased to be able to donate instruments and rare wine to help raise money for these urgent needs. I am particularly proud of my long association with Grapes for Humanity Canada and the good work we’ve been able to achieve together.” Geddy Lee.  

The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is Canada’s unifying force for nature working to deliver large scale, permanent land conservation. NCC seeks solutions to the twin crises of rapid biodiversity loss and climate change through direct on-the-ground action to protect and care for our lands and waters. Since 1962, NCC has brought people together to conserve more than 15 million hectares.

“We are delighted to be part of the 2022 Auction. The funds raised will help protect and care for critical lands and waters at a landscape-scale in Ontario. Conserving entire natural systems means we take care of the places that clean our water, purify our air, absorb and store carbon and provide for our health and well-being. Connected landscapes provide nature-based solutions faster and with greater impact. Nature is our ally. When nature thrives, we all thrive,” says Mike Hendren, Regional Vice President, Ontario Region, Nature Conservancy of Canada.

Tree Canada is the only national non-profit organization dedicated to planting and nurturing trees in rural and urban environments. We help to grow Canada’s tree canopy through our programs, research, and engagement efforts and by offering grants to communities and schools. We are thought-leaders and capacity-builders, collaborating with a network of industry experts, academics, and other non-profits to deepen community knowledge and help municipalities plan and sustain local canopy. Together with our partners and sponsors, we have planted more than 84 million trees.

“Tree Canada is thrilled to be a designated charity for Grapes of Humanity’s 2022 Auction for Climate Change Action. We know that trees absorb carbon dioxide, which is essential in the fight against climate change, but trees are also important to people and wildlife by naturally cooling our cities and absorbing pollutants. Your generous support will help grow better places to live across Canada,” says Danielle St-Aubin, CEO, Tree Canada.

The auction is offered online October 12-19 courtesy of Waddington’s. Find out how to register for the auction at www.waddingtons.ca. Special Terms and Conditions for the auction include no buyer’s commission or tax. 

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Auction proceeds to buoy climate solutions for global wine industry

Organizations with a long history of developing climate solutions for the global wine industry will each receive thousands of dollars from Grapes for Humanity Global following the success of our inaugural auction with Christie’s.

Rescue the Grapes closed with 100% of its lots sold, including several well above the estimate, for a combined total of $71,450 earmarked for climate organizations.

Arlene Willis, Grapes for Humanity Global Founder and CEO, lauded donors for their generous contributions to a worthy cause.

“We’re thrilled with the response to the auction and know that the funds raised will be a significant first step toward addressing the daunting challenge of climate change within the wine industry,” she said.

“Christie’s has been a game-changing partner, and we look forward to continuing to work together to address this existential challenge,” 

Organizations supporting communities affected by climate change will share the auction proceeds, including The Porto Protocol, Tasting Climate Change, the Climate Adaptation Certificate program and Napa Valley Vintners. GFH Global’s work with The Hôpital Albert Schweitzer Haiti, Yamba Malawi and The Halo Trust continues.

This is GFH Global’s first partnership with Christie’s New York. The record-breaking auction also included fine and rare wines from two private collections. The sale totalled $1,558,313 with 99% sold by lot and 125% hammer above low estimate. It also attracted 27% first-time registrants and five auction records were set throughout. 

Bidders from around the world fought to secure each of GFH Global’s 44 lots which included rare wine and wine experiences from wineries throughout France, Italy, Spain, South Africa, New Zealand, Portugal, the United States and Canada.

Chris Munro, Head of Department, Wine and Spirits, Christie’s Americas, reflected on the successful collaboration: “Following our successful wine sale in January, our second online auction out of Los Angeles continues to demonstrate the strength of the fine wine market. We were delighted to collaborate with the Grapes for Humanity Global Foundation and help raise over $70,000 to fund projects affected by climate change. Bidders from around the globe fought to secure some of the fantastic experiences donated by wine producers committed to this worthwhile cause.”

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Rare lots by legendary producers featured in our 2022 Christie’s auction

The first bids on Rescue the Grapes lots were received today, Day 1 of our inaugural auction with Christie’s.

Click here to place a bid

We’re encouraged by the overwhelming response we’ve received, including support from the most-celebrated wineries in the world, for Rescue the Grapes, a first-of-its-kind initiative supporting climate solutions for the global wine industry.

If you have any questions about an auction lot, please contact GFH Global Founder and CEO, Arlene Willis: [email protected]

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Wine industry luminaries unite around first-of-its kind auction for urgent climate solutions

Miguel A. Torres, Hugh Johnson and David Pearson to co-chair our 2022 online auction with Christie’s, Rescue the Grapes

The best-known names in the wine world are joining forces for a March 2022 online auction to raise funds for climate solutions.

More than 40 leading wineries are donating rare wines and one-of-a-kind tastings and tours to the inaugural Rescue the Grapes auction which will be live on Christie’s website for two weeks, starting March 15.

The event, founded by GFH Global CEO Arlene Willis, is in response to dramatic changes affecting the industry; historic viticultural regions are being forced to consider new grape varieties and the viability of entire wine regions is threatened. 

“I am honoured to be part of this outstanding initiative by Arlene and Christie’s,” Miguel A. Torres, honorary event co-chair, says. “It is a great example of real action to help winegrowers affected by climate change and support organizations that develop and disseminate climate solutions for the wine sector.” 

Miguel A.Torres, president of Familiar Torres, invites participation in the first annual Rescue the Grapes auction.

Torres is also the co-founder of the International Wineries for Climate Action, a recently launched organization taking collective action to decarbonize the global wine industry.

GFH Global is encouraged by the overwhelming response it’s receiving, including donations from some of the most-celebrated wineries in the world: Prince Robert de Luxembourg, Château Haut-Brion, Marchesi Antinori, OPUS ONE and Napa Vintners.

Hugh Johnson, the preeminent wine writer and event co-chair, applauds Rescue the Grapes as a unique international event for a very worthy cause: “I’m thrilled to be a part of this critical initiative and to partner with my colleagues to ensure significant and urgent strides toward battling climate change.”

GFH Global, long known for its fundraising support of humanitarian causes, will share all proceeds from the auction with organizations developing climate solutions for winegrowers: The Porto Protocol, Tasting Climate Change, Climate Adaptation Certificate Program and Napa Valley Vintners Association as well as long-time partners Yamba Malawi and HAS Haiti.

Developing climate solutions for the global wine industry is an urgent cause that dozens of vineyards – from Europe to New Zealand, to South Africa as well as South America and across North America – are quickly embracing,” Willis says.

  • Opus One, Familia Torres and Antinori at GFH NYC reception in 2021
  • GFH Global founder, Arlene Willis, and Prince Robert de Luxembourg
  • Xavier Barlier of MMD, Christie Wheeler, Marchersi Antinori and GFH Global founder Arlene Willis

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Miguel A. Torres calls for climate solutions

Familia Torres president and honorary GFH co-chair encourages wineries to prioritize climate action, contribute to Rescue the Grapes

We’re honoured to extend a message from Miguel A. Torres of Familia Torres encouraging wineries all over the world to prioritize climate action.

Together with Torres, an honorary GFH Global director, we invite you to contribute to our auction, Rescue the Grapes, in support of climate solutions for the global wine industry.

Funds raised from the 2022 online event, in partnership with Chirstie’s, will go toward established organizations including: @theportoprotocol , @tastingclimatechange and the Climate Adaptation Certificate Program.

Torres is also a founding partner of International Wineries Climate Action which recently released its first annual report: Taking Collective Action to Decarbonize the Global Wine Industry.

We applaud the leadership of this group which Torres co-founded with visionary winemaker Katie Jackson of Jackson Family Wines.

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Recapping our New York Wine Experience 2021 Reception

Thank you to the wonderful wine producers who joined us last night in New York City.

We were delighted to share a toast with our long-time supporters, including:

  • Marchesi Piero Antinori, Antinori
  • Miguel Torres Jr., Familia Torres
  • Xavier Barlier, MMD USA Louis Roederer
  • Christopher Lynch, CEO Opus One
  • Christopher Barefoot, Opus One
  • Fiona Jack, Bruce Jack Wines

We’re grateful for their on-going support of innovative climate solutions for the wine industry, including the many generous lots they’ve each contributed to our upcoming auction in partnership with Christie’s.

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Our partnership with Christie’s to support winegrowers affected by climate change

Celebrated international auction house Christie’s is partnering with Grapes for Humanity Global for a first-of-its-kind online charity auction in support of winegrowers affected by climate change. 

Funds raised during the online event, March 15-29, 2022 will be donated to established organizations known for developing and disseminating climate solutions for the wine industry including The Porto Protocol Foundation, Tasting Climate Change and Climate Adaptation Certificate Program, Napa Valley Vintners, Hôpital Albert Schweitzer and Yamba Malawi.

We need your help. Please consider making a tax deductible donation to support this initiative, Rescue the Grapes Wine Auction.

The event is a response to the need for immediate action against climate change as historic viticultural regions around the world are being forced to consider new grape varieties and the viability of entire wine regions is threatened. 

Says GFH founder and chair, Arlene Willis: “We’re honoured to have the support of the finest wineries in the world as well as the industry leaders that will chair our 2022 event: Miguel A. Torres, Hugh Johnson and David Pearson.”  

Best-selling author and event co-chair, Hugh Johnson, applauds the online auction for climate change as a unique international event for a very worthy cause and comments: “I’m thrilled to be a part of this critical initiative and to partner with my colleagues to ensure significant and urgent strides toward battling climate change.” 

Grapes for Humanity is a registered charity that began with a love for wine and a desire to transform our passion to humanitarian action. In addition to supporting climate solutions for wine, GFH helps sustain on-going projects for people in low-and-middle-income-countries whose livelihoods are affected by climate change, droughts, hurricanes, wildfires and floods. 

For more information, please contact Arlene Willis, Chair and Founder, Grapes for Humanity Global at [email protected]

Donate an auction item

Recapping our New York Wine Experience 2021 Reception

SUPPORTING SPONSORS

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