The Following persons are the ambassadors of The Grape Foundation.
It is our responsibility to honestly, fairly and equitably run the Foundation and ensure that all funds raised are delivered to disadvantaged children. No individual has access to funds nor can disperse them.
The Grape Foundation is not a charity but a private Foundation organisation of wine industry people that work together to do what we can to assist children in need.
Collectively we are the arbiters of good taste not only with regards to wine but in practice too.
Paul Anthony Gidley. Founder of The Grape foundation.
I have been fortunate to have travelled a great deal of the world and wherever I have been there has been one constant on the evening news, daily papers and even in front of me on the streets I have walked. Children that are horribly less fortunate than my own and that, is putting it very mildly.
My travels also revealed the genorosity of my hosts, the care and love for their families and of course wine. My idea was simple... To use this love and sense of family to make the children's lives all around us better. As I said, my idea is simple, the results together I hope will be incredible.
Contact: paul@thegrapefoundation.com
The Grape Foundation Art Ambassador.
Christian Furr
In 1995, at the age of 28, Christian was commissioned to officially paint Queen Elizabeth II. HRH Queen Elizabeth II chose Christian from a number of artists and the portrait was painted at Buckingham Palace. The portrait now hangs on permanent display at the Royal Overseas League headquarters in London and is viewable by the public.
Since then he has been commissioned to paint Sultan, Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia. In 2002, Furr painted Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor for Westminster Cathedral along with Bishop Patrick O'Donoghue and Bishop George Stack. He recently completed a wedding portrait of Thomas and Melissa van Straubenzee (née Lady Melissa Percy) and In June 2011, was commissioned to paint Blenheim Palace during GE Triathlon.
In November 2012, Christian curated the art exhibition "Liverpool Love" at the new Museum of Liverpool in aid of Claire House Hospice. The exhibition included works by Yoko Ono, Sir Peter Blake, David Mach and many respected artists from the art and music scene.
We are extremely please to welcome Christian to the Grape Foundation and please look out for some wonderful announcements involving Christian very soon.
Grape Foundation Ambassador for Champagne.
Dominique Demarville became the 10th Cellar Master of Veuve Clicquot on June 1st 2009 after being Deputy Cellar Master since 2006. He began his career in wine 26 years ago when he harvested grapes in Champagne as a summer job. He realized his passion for wine that summer, leading him to earn a technical degree in oenology and viticulture at Lycée Viticole de la Champagne, and a degree in oenology at the University of Burgundy. He worked in several French wine regions before finally settling in Champagne, where he worked at several different Champagne houses before taking a position at Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin.
Honourary Member.
Mr. Philippe Castéja is the CEO of Borie-Manoux and the current President of the Conseil de Grands Crus Classés en 1855. The Castéja family who own the négociant are also the proprietors of a number of outstanding Bordeaux chateau, including Lynch-Moussas and Batailley in Pauillac and Trottevieille in St-Émilion.
Grape Foundation Ambassadors's for France.
France's most respect Wine Experts and Ambassadors for The Grape Foundation, Bettane & Desseauve.
Contact: thierry.desseauve@thegrapefoundation.com
Grape Foundation Ambassador.
Jon Wyand is a world renowned Photographer perhaps best known for his wine photographs. Jon is a multi-award winner of the Louis Roederer award and of course a Grape Foundation Ambassador.
Contact: Jon.wyand@thegrapefoundation.com