Brix is proud to be an international media partner in this ambitious global charitable initiative. The 2010 edition of the World Wine Tour aims to help promote wine industries in 20 different nations while raising funds for the Lao Rehabilitation Foundation Inc.
Cause and effect
The World Wine Tour 2010 is the fifth edition of an international charity event that began in 2003 as Vignes Sans Frontières. With each edition, a pair of wine enthusiasts travels the world to visit various wine-producing nations and collect representative vintages that are auctioned for charity at a gala banquet at the end of the tour. Each traveling pair is permitted to interpret the tour independently, choosing their route, destinations and the organization that will receive funds.
This year’s travelers are 24-year-old Georges Janssens and 23-year-old Anja Cheriakova. A native of the Napa Valley, Georges has interned at both the Robert Mondavi and Viader wineries. Anja lives and studies in The Netherlands, and is currently working on her Masters in international wine markets at Utrecht University. The tour will contribute to her research, specifically in relation to winery networking and women in the wine industry.
Sampling the whole wine world
During 12 months of international travel, Georges and Anja will examine the economics and individual characteristics of diverse wine markets. They will also collect 300 bottles of premium wine that will be donated by vintners around the world. In the spring of 2011, the Robert Mondavi Winery in Napa Valley will host an auction of these wines, expected to raise more than US $150,000 for this year’s charity, the Lao Rehabilitation Foundation.
The first leg of the World Wine Tour 2010 will take Anja and Georges to Russia, Mongolia, China, Laos, Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, India and South Africa.
“Raising money for the foundation is our main concern,” says Anja, “but we’re also eager to motivate all young people of our generation to combine their passions and dreams with the pursuit of humanitarian goals.”
The toast of the tour
Launched in 2002, the Lao Rehabilitation Foundation Inc. (LRF) is engaged in a variety of projects to combat hunger, disease and poverty in Laos—particularly for the benefit of children. Funds raised in this edition of the World Wine Tour will support the LRF’s work in the area of Simmano, which was devastated by flooding in August 2008. Simmano comprises four small villages and is home to just over 6,300 people.
“Specifically, our donations will help rebuild schools in the area,” says Georges Janssens, whose father Luc is president of the LRF. Georges and Anja will get a first-hand look the Simmano area. During their stopover in Laos, they will volunteer for a month with the LRF, assisting with the organization’s health care mission and giving English and computer-skills courses.
I am at home today and am watching you on the A-Channel news show.
My husband and I recently travelled to Cape Town, SA and we toured Boschendale, Tokora and Ilka in the Stellenbosch area.
Not sure if the winery is called Ilka but its a small family run business who named their wines after their twin daughters. We were able to bring 4 bottles home with us and have just finished the last bottle. We are hoping at some point that ourthe vintage areas at LCBO will carry their wine because it truly is amazing. You have to go there on your tour, you will not regret it.
Are you plan to visit Macedonia in World Wine tour