October 3, 2010- Daniel Restaurant - New York City

Featured Live Auction Item:

A  Jeroboam 3L of Cristal Rose – The winner will be offered a private tour of the House of Louis Roederer, a tasting, and a lunch with Frédéric Rouzand at his residence in Reims on the occasion of a future trip to France

A program of Grapes for Humanity, US, opens in Cambodia

Tuesday, November 17, 2009 – Phnom Penh, Cambodia

A musical presentation from eighty students at Lavalla School and Orphanage in Kendal Provence,  marked the official opening of The Viola Wheeler Music Program.  The US Ambassador to Cambodia, Carol A. Rodley along with The Viola Wheeler Music Program founders Arlene Willis and Dr. Christine Wheeler attended the opening ceremony earlier this month.

US Ambassador Carol Rodley and Brother Terry

The students selected and performed both traditional Khmer and modern Cambodian Music in concert with instrumental, choral and solo performances.  “The concert was truly overwhelming and we were astounded by the quality of the performance after only five months of training.” Said Arlene Willis, Chairman and Founder of Grapes for Humanity, US.

Brother Terry, Dr. Wheeler, Ambassador Rodley, Arlene Willis

The Viola Wheeler Music Program is the only of its kind for children with disabilities in Cambodia and its continuation was made possible by proceeds from the Chateau Haut-Brion Dinner featuring Prince Robert de Luxembourg in New York City on October 21, 2009.

Choir Students

Lavalla School and Orphanage has three buildings and workshops funded by Grapes for Humanity, US. It was established in 2000 as a project of the Marist Brothers of Australia and is run by Brother Terry Heinrich and Brother Darryl Slater.   The school houses approximately 100 students with disabilities and teaches them academic and manual skills to enable them to find work upon gradation.

Music Program Students

The evening was an enormous success.  The very distinguished and gracious  H.R.H. Prince Robert of Luxembourg, owner of Château Haut-Brion and Château La Mission presided over the evening.    Jean-Philippe Delmas, Estate Manager, spoke to the wines of Château Haut-Brion and La Mission Haut-Brion.   Viola Wheeler was presented with  the Grapes for Humanity, US, Humanitarian Award by her daughter, Dr. Christine Wheeler, V.P., Grapes for Humanity US.   Honorary directors in attendance included, Pierre-Henry GAGEY, Maison Louis Jadot; Jean-Guillaume PRATS, Cos d’Estournel; Marchese Leonardo Frescobaldi, Frescobaldi; and Albiera Antinori of Antinori.   The evening was sponsored by Navios Maritime Holdings and Mutual of America.  Robert Pilon gave a brilliant performance of Circle of Life with children from The Dwight school and singers from another children’s choir.     Michael Klauber, owner Michael’s on East, Sarasota, was the illustrious Master of Ceremony and auctioneer. Fund raised will go to expand the Viola Wheeler Music Program in Cambodia and other projects supported by Grapes for Humanity, U.S. including les Climats du Coeur.

The Antinori Family

Grapes for Humanity U.S., Inc., had the distinct pleasure to have Marchese Piero Antinori as our honored guest and sponsor on February 1, and 2, 2010.    There were two days of  tasting the finest of Antinori wines  – along with a golf tournament/tasting at the Concession Golf Club.   Dinner Wines donated by Piero Antinori:  Mntenisa, Cervaro della Sala 2007, Peppoli 2007, Tignanello 2006, Antica Cabernet 2006 and a Double Magnum of Solaia 2006 for the auction.   The Double Magnum of Solaia and a tour of the Antinori Estates sold for $26,000 two times !  

 On Tuesday, February 2,  a golf outing and wine tasting were  held  at The Concession Golf Club, rated “best new private course of the year” by Golf Digest.  Wines for the tasting included: Cervaro della Sala 2007, Peppoli 2007, Badia a Passignano 2005, Tignanello 2006, Guado al Tasso 2006, Antica Cabernet  2006.

Fund raised from the evening were distributed to the Boys and Girls Club of Sarasota, The Oak Park School for children with special needs, the Viola Wheeler Music Program in Cambodia and The Grapes for Humanity/US Haiti Relief Effort.

Meanwhile, please visit the link below to see the Antinori Family on “60 Minutes”.     For further information, email:  lifeiswine@gfhus.com  or phone:  1-800-218-1422.    Ciao!

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/10/10/60minutes/main4514254.shtml