March 31, 2025 — The Gérard Basset Foundation is delighted to announce funding for 12 new grants, awarded to grantees based in 8 different countries.
The Gérard Basset Foundation, founded in 2021, is the world’s leading charitable foundation dedicated to using the wine, spirits and hospitality industries as a global vehicle for change, supporting education, mentorship, and community programmes.
Founded in honour of Gérard Basset (1957 – 2019, OBE MS MW MBA OIV MSc ASI World’s Best Sommelier 2010) by his wife Nina and their only son Romané, the Foundation shares Gérard’s belief that with the right support, opportunity and nurturing, lives can be improved.
In addition to its scholarship programme, the Foundation offers annual grants to a variety of organisations ranging from grass-roots non-profits to globally renowned research institutions. Whilst the Foundation scholarships primarily support those undertaking high-level qualifications, the grantee programme supports a broader range of communities and individuals at earlier stages in their career journeys.
Romané Basset, co-founder and trustee of the Gérard Basset Foundation: “We are delighted to support the work of our grantees across the globe, ranging in size from world-leading research institutions to grassroots community organisers – and we are proud to announce funding to support 12 new grants based in 8 different countries, ranging from South Africa to the United Kingdom, from France to Panama, from the United States to Bhutan, and from Greece to Mexico.”
Pinotage Youth Development Academy (PYDA) in South Africa; funding will support 40 students undertaking PYDA’s Wine Practitioner course
International Wine Education Centre in South Africa; funding will support 1 DipWSET and 13 WSET L3 bursaries for students in South Africa coming from historically marginalised communities
The Pebbles Project in South Africa; funding will be used to support the hospitality- related aspects of the Pebbles Project’s educational and training programmes, including barista training, WSET Level 1 and a basic hospitality course
https://www.pebblesproject.org
Equal Measures in the United Kingdom; funding will support 10 scholarships for various industry certifications, as well as mentoring the scholars as they undertake these courses; funds will also be used to support a community event to facilitate knowledge exchange among the attendees
https://www.equalmeasuresuk.org
Unity Works in the United Kingdom; funding will support a 6-month placement opportunity for a beneficiary with a learning disability to work full time and train as a hospitality management assistant
https://www.thera.co.uk/about/companies/unity-works-social-enterprises
Bordeaux Mentor Week in France; funding will support the fourth edition of Bordeaux Mentor Week, with 7 attendees from around the world coming to Bordeaux to undertake a rigorous bootcamp which will build their skills and their networks in the Bordeaux wine industry
https://janeanson.com/bordeaux-mentor-week-first-edition-september-2022
Panama Wine Academy in Panama; funding will support 4 local Panamanian wine professionals to undertake WSET Levels 1 & 2 in Wine who would not be otherwise able to afford them
https://panamawineacademy.com/en/homepage/
AHIVOY in the United States; funding will support 10 – 12 Latinx vineyard stewards in Oregon to undertake AHIVOY’s Wine Industry Training Programme
The 280 Project in the United States; funding will support The 280 Project’s Apprenticeship Programme, which enables students from disadvantaged backgrounds to undertake a paid training programme in viticulture, winemaking and “everything from the vine up”
Bhutan Wine Company in Bhutan; funding will support the training of 80 – 100 local Bhutanese to undertake their WSET Level 1 in Wines Award
Wine & Spirits Professional Centre in Greece; funding will support “Now I Can Do It Too”, a project which trains Greek single mothers in WSET Level 1 in Wine, WSET Level 1 in Spirits and Barista and Sake training to enable them to build careers in the hospitality and tourism industries in Greece which can be built around their childcare duties
EduVino Paso a Paso in Mexico; funding will support 8 – 10 scholarships for Mexican wine professionals to gain their International Sommelier Guild IWC and AWC certifications
About The Gérard Basset Foundation
The Gérard Basset Foundation is the world’s leading charitable foundation dedicated to using the wine, spirits and hospitality industries as a global vehicle for change by funding education, training and mentorship programmes which focus on opening up these sectors to passionate and talented individuals, regardless of their backgrounds or circumstances. Gérard Basset (7th March 1957 – 16th January 2019) OBE MS MW MBA OIV MSc ASI World’s Best Sommelier 2010 was without question one of the greatest wine professionals of his era. During his lifetime, Gérard mentored and trained a generation of young sommeliers who sought out his expertise and guidance to launch their own successful careers. Many of those protégés are now connected with the Foundation and remain instrumental in keeping Gerard’s legacy alive and flourishing. The Gérard Basset Foundation was co-founded in 2021 by Gérard’s wife Nina and their son Romané who also serve as trustees alongside Jancis Robinson OBE MW and Ian Harris. https://gerardbassetfoundation.org
