February 7th – New York, NY – Bonhams joins forces with Jancis Robinson MW to support The Gérard Basset Foundation by hosting a spectacular wine-tasting in New York. Jancis Robinson, author of The Oxford Companion to Wine and of JancisRobinson.com and known throughout the world as one of the most celebrated and insightful experts in the world of wine, will lead a 75-minute tasting, offering the finest wines from Burgundy sourced by the Foundation. The tasting will take place at Bonhams’ headquarters on Madison Avenue, New York on May 6.
Jancis Robinson, a Trustee of the Gérard Basset Foundation and renowned for her wine column in the Financial Times since 1989, brings a wealth of knowledge to the gathering and will be offering signed copies of the new 5th Edition of The Oxford Companion to Wine, considered one of the greatest wine reference books ever published. Joining her is Lulie Halstead, CEO of the Foundation, and Romané Basset, Gérard Basset’s son and co
founding Trustee of the Foundation, who will explain the organization’s mission dedicated to advancing global diversity, equity, and inclusion within the wine, spirits, and hospitality sectors in homage to the late great Gérard Basset. The event will be hosted by Amayès Aouli, Bonhams’ newly appointed Global Head of Wine and Spirits.
Amayès Aouli commented: “Knowledge and generosity are such important elements in the world of wine. So I am proud that the first major announcement since my arrival at Bonhams is to support the Gérard Basset Foundation by hosting a once-in-a-lifetime wine tasting in New York together with the most recognised voice in the wine world: Jancis Robinson, MW.”
Who: Amayès Aouli, Bonhams Global Head of Wine and Spirits, Foundation Trustee & FT Wine Correspondent Jancis Robinson, and Foundation CEO Lulie Halstead.
When: Monday May 6th 2024
Where: Bonhams New York, 580 Madison Avenue
What: A champagne reception, followed by 75-minute tasting led by Jancis Robinson offering 10 outstanding wines from Burgundy sourced by the Foundation. This is a ticketed event.
More details will be announced in the following weeks.
About The Gérard Basset Foundation
The Foundation is mandated to fund educational and professional programmes focused on supporting diversity, equity & inclusion in wine, spirits & hospitality globally.
Our mission is to provide funding for programmes that significantly enhance the career opportunities of those that they support. We fund credible programmes that support a diverse range of communities including:
- Cultural & socio-economic diversity
- Ethnic diversity
- Religious diversity
- Gender diversity
- Sexual orientation diversity
- Disability diversity
Whilst our Scholarships primarily support those undertaking higher level qualifications e.g. MW & MS, our Grantee programme seeks to support a broader range of communities & individuals at earlier stages in their career journey.
In 2021 and 2022, The Gerard Basset Foundation raised £2.2 million in donations. To date, we have supported 66 Scholars and Grantee organisations. Our scholars are of 28 different nationalities, living and working in 23 countries. Our 23 grantee programmes are based in 11 countries and range from grass roots non-profit organisations to globally renowned institutions.
About The Bonhams Network
Bonhams is a global network of auction houses, with the largest number of international salerooms, offering the widest range of collecting categories and selling at all price points. Bonhams is recognised for its bespoke service, and a dedication to local market relationships, enhanced by a global platform. With 14 salerooms, Bonhams presents over
1,000 sales annually, across more than 60 specialist categories, including fine art, collectibles, luxury, wine & spirits, and collector cars.
Founded in 1793, Bonhams has representatives in more than 30 countries and operates flagship salerooms in London, New York, Paris, Los Angeles, and Hong Kong. In 2022, Bonhams added four international auction houses to its network: Bukowskis, Stockholm; Bruun Rasmussen, Copenhagen; Cornette de Saint Cyr, Paris and Brussels; and Skinner, Massachusetts. The success of Bonhams’ global strategy is a result of recognising the shif in growing intercontinental buying and increased digital engagement.
Recent important auctions and landmark single-owner collections, include the white glove sales of Sir Michael Caine: The Personal Collection, Alain Delon: Sixty Years of Passion; Sir Roger Moore: The Personal Collection; Personal Property of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and The Robert & Jean-Pierre Rousset Collection of Asian Art: A Century of Collecting. Other notable single-owner sales included The Estate of Barbara Walters: American Icon; The Alan and Simone Hartman Collection; The Crown Auction: Props and Costumes and The Claude de Marteau Collection.
Top lots for 2023 include 1967 Ferrari 412P Berlinetta, Sold at Quail Lodge, US for US$30,255,000. Tipu Sultan’s Bedchamber Sword (sold in London for £14m – a world record for both an Islamic and an Indian object); Paul Signac (1863-1935), Sisteron, 1902. Sold for US$8,580,000 (estimate US$4-6 million), and Claude Monet (1840-1926), La Seine près de Giverny, 1888. Sold for US$6,352,500 (estimate US$4-6m), both from the Alan and Simone Hartman Collection; A Gilt Copper Alloy figure of Virupaksha, Central Tibet, Densatil Monastery, Early 15th century. Sold for HK$37.9m (£4,060,326) in Hong Kong. Yoshitomo Nara (born 1959) Three Stars. Sold for HK$36,754,000 (£3,930,914), also in Hong Kong.
For a full list of forthcoming auctions, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, please visit bonhams.com
