Great Domaines wines raise R346 500 towards its education trust
PARKTOWN – South African-based wine import company, Great Domaines, show their support for the cause of education in South Africa by raising R365 500 through wine auction.
South African-based wine company, Great Domaines celebrated its fourth annual Burgundian feast themed La Paulée de Johannesburg, an event hosted in celebration of fine Burgundian wine.
The event was a follow-up to La Paulée de Cape Town and included a philanthropic charity auction at the Villa Arcadia in Parktown on 11 November.
“Inspired by the original La Paulée de Meursault (a lunch celebrating the end of the grape harvest in Burgundy, France) – it is an opportunity for fanatical Burgundy lovers to meet and share great bottles from their cellars with each other,” said Great Domaines co-founder, Wayne Visser.
“The pleasure derived from drinking a great wine is increased greatly by sharing it with like-minded people.”
Visser added that the event supports Great Domaines’ vision for promoting education in South Africa. “We’re privileged to be able to enjoy some of the greatest wines in the world, which are generally bought by people generous of spirit.
“La Paulée is an opportunity for privileged wine lovers to make a difference through their donation. Responsible wine enjoyment is a symbol of a civilised society and education is one of the pillars of civilisation.”
To date, the Great Domaines Trust has contributed towards the education of six children. Two new children will benefit from the initiative when they start their pre-preparatory schooling at Houghton School next year. Cousins Emmanuel (21) and Clotilda Sithelo (20) are beneficiaries of the trust and attended the wine event for the first time.
Emmanuel said, “I appreciate that education is the key to success. I have completed a computer science course which earned me a trip overseas to the Boston Museum, completed Matric and passed both levels 1 and 2 of the Wine and Spirits Education Trust. I’d like to thank the generous donations of the GD Education Trust that’s helped me to have a better start in my life.”
The other Great Domaines founder, Venitia Buissinne, however, added that the necessary steps were being taken to establish a formal trust that will take over the educational needs of many more underprivileged children in the future. “The formal registration of the GD Trust is currently in the process together with the application [to be registered] as a Section 18A Public Benefit Organisation,” she told the paper.
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