Australian wine supports charity that helps improve children’s lives
Wine Australia recently supported Room to Read’s 2017 Hong Kong gala, which raised US$2.8 million, enough money to change the lives of 56,701 children through the gift of education.
Room to Read is a not-for-profit organisation that works to develop literacy skills among primary school children and to ensure girls have the skills and support needed to complete their secondary education.
In partnership with Watson’s Wine, Hong Kong’s leading fine wine retailer, Wine Australia joined this year’s gala as an official wine partner and showcased iconic wines donated generously by Australian wineries for the audience of nearly 300 VIP guests.
Wine Australia’s Head of Market Asia Pacific Hiro Tejima said that the gala provided an occasion to further demonstrate the generosity and values of the Australian wine community in one of our key export markets.
‘As a relatively new migrant to Australia myself, I am constantly reminded of what makes it a great country – its openness, its inclusiveness, its sense of pioneering adventure and always giving people a fair go. I was encouraged by the spirited responses from the Australian wineries as they demonstrated the Australian ethos and were determined to do what they could to help.
'Wine Australia was proud to be a key sponsor at this important fundraising event in support of the significant work of Room to Read. It was a great honour to represent Australia in such a meaningful way and it was also a great pleasure to hear from guests how impressed they were with our wonderful wines.'
Australian wines presented to guests throughout the evening showcased our fine wine heritage, distinctive regional characters, and our stylistic evolution. These included:
- Grosset ‘Polish Hill’ Clare Valley Riesling 2016
- Leeuwin Estate ‘Art Series’ Margaret River Chardonnay 2013
- Shaw + Smith Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir 2014
- Henschke ‘Mount Edelstone’ Eden Valley Shiraz 2012
- Penfolds ‘RWT’ Barossa Valley Shiraz 2009
- Katnook ‘Odyssey’ Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
- Seppeltsfield Para 21 Year Old Tawny
Room to Read works to improve children’s lives in Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Laos, Nepal, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania and Vietnam. It aims to reach 15 million children by 2020.
Since 2000, Room to Read has impacted the lives of more than 10 million children by providing increased access to high quality educational opportunities through its network of libraries and schools, its local language children’s books and its girls’ education program.