Press Release - La Cité du Vin

Press release of 20th October 2016
Press Release
La Cité du Vin in Bordeaux, a foundation of international scope for supporting
cultural and artistic events through patronage
Individuals and corporations in France and abroad can support the cultural actions of La Cité du Vin
through the Fondation pour la Culture et les Civilisations du Vin, a foundation recognised as being
of public interest, and through its sister entities the American Friends of La Cité du Vin and the
International Friends of La Cité du Vin. Through the donations it receives, the foundation can offer a
rich and varied cultural programme all year-round at La Cité du Vin, and thus transmit the age-old
culture of wine to the widest audience possible, as well as demystifying its meaning and contributing
to conserving this intangible and universal heritage.
Why support the Fondation pour la Culture et les Civilisations du Vin?
La Fondation pour la Culture et les Civilisations du Vin, which operates La Cité du Vin in Bordeaux, is
recognised as being of public interest. With its sister entities, the American Friends of La Cité du Vin
and the International Friends of La Cité du Vin, it relies on private donations from patrons as well as
revenue from La Cité du Vin itself. Patronage plays an essential role for La Cité du Vin, especially in the
development of its cultural programme.
In exchange for donations, patrons of the foundation take part in the life of La Cité du Vin.
A word from HRH Prince Robert of Luxemburg, President of Domaine Clarence Dillon, President of the
Cultural Orientation Committee of La Fondation pour la Culture et les Civilisations du Vin, Builder
Patron of Honour of La Cité du Vin and Patron of the inaugural exhibition, Carte Blanche for Isabelle
Rozenbaum:
“The commitment of Domaine Clarence Dillon to the project of La Cité du Vin is in line with the long
family tradition of philanthropy and patronage started almost a century ago by my great-grandfather,
Mr. Clarence Dillon.
“Thanks to the wealth of its cultural programme, La Cité du Vin allows visitors to celebrate the past
while looking to the future. For Domaine Clarence Dillon, transmission is a fundamental principle, a
philosophy even. We would like to give present and future generations the opportunity to discover the
exhibitions which showcase the wealth of artistic and cultural creation related to wine, a heritage that
is both universal and living; the fruit of civilisations.
“The La Cité du Vin project appealed to us from the outset, and we seized the opportunity to take part
by signing the first patronage agreement in December 2011. The Dillon family and my colleagues at
Domaine Clarence Dillon are once again delighted and proud to be able to support La Cité du Vin and
1
be associated with the opening exhibition. The photographer Isabelle Rozenbaum has managed,
through her shots, to sensitively capture each step of the painstaking work by the men and women who
created this building. She has immortalised the construction of La Cité du Vin, revealing a world of hard
work, dizzying heights, noise and passion that does not fail to move us.”
EXAMPLES OF PROJECTS TO SUPPORT:

The first major cultural and artistic exhibition: Bistro! From Baudelaire to Picasso
For two years, La Fondation pour la Culture et les Civilisations du Vin has been preparing the exhibition
Bistro! From Baudelaire to Picasso, which will run from 17th March to 18th June 2017. This major cultural
and artistic exhibition was created in collaboration with national and international lenders. Unique,
rarely-displayed works will be exhibited, requiring considerable funds to be raised for the preparation
and organisation of the event: this is where patronage can lend its support.
To launch the project, a scientific committee was established composed of members who are reputed
in their field:
Stéphane Guégan – Art Historian, Art Critic and Scientific Consultant.
Pascal Ory – Associate Professor, Doctor of History at Paris-I-Panthéon-Sorbonne University.
Philippe Sollers – Writer.
Jean-Didier Vincent – Member of the Institut de France, Professor Emeritus at Paris-XI University,
Member of the Académie des Vins de France.
Laurence Chesneau-Dupin – Heritage Custodian and Director of la Fondation pour la Culture et les
Civilisations du Vin, Head Curator.
Jean Béraud (1849-1936). "Diner aux Ambassadeurs". Oil on wood. Paris, Carnavalet Museum.
© Musée Carnavalet / Roger-Viollet
Reproduction authorised ex gratia solely as illustration for articles pertaining to the exhibition Bistro! From Baudelaire to
Picasso, all rights reserved with regards any other use.
 A rich and varied cultural programme:
With meetings and debates, shows and events, films and documentaries, seminars and wine
workshops, the cultural programme at La Cité du Vin will be organised around the exhibition, in the
spirit of cafes, Parisian dance halls and bistros.
2
HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT LA FONDATION POUR LA CULTURE ET LES CIVILISATIONS DU VIN
In France:
The Circle of Friends for Individuals
Starting at €250, anyone can join the Circle of Friends and thereby participate in the life of La Cité du
Vin with: annual subscription, priority reservations, invitations to events, personalised service, annual
magazine etc.
The Circle of Corporate Patrons
Starting at €5,000, join a circle reserved for enterprises and take part in the life of La Cité du Vin with:
access for teams and clients, privatised events, visibility and communication, invitations to events etc.
In the USA and around the world:
A sister entity in support of La Cité du Vin was created in the United States and received tax approval
from the US government in 2014: the American Friends of La Cité du Vin.
It is chaired by Robert G. Wilmers, President of the M&T Bank Corporation and owner of Château HautBailly and George Sape, Managing Partner at Epstein, Becker and Green and former Grand Master of
the Commanderie de Bordeaux in New York. The American Friends’ mission is to promote La Cité du
Vin in the United States and to enhance the cultural heritage of wine by honouring trans-Atlantic
friendship. Its initial commitment was in funding the Thomas Jefferson auditorium and supporting the
cultural programme. A patronage campaign is currently underway in the USA to raise support in
honour of Thomas Jefferson, a renowned wine aficionado, who contributed notably to encouraging
Franco-American relations through the promotion of European wines in the United States and around
the world. Each patron will enjoy the privilege of having their name engraved on the back of a seat in
the Thomas Jefferson auditorium.
For more information: [email protected]
Another sister entity, The International Friends of La Cité du Vin, enables friends from all around the
world to become patrons and, thanks notably to Transnational Giving Europe in many European
countries, contribute to a project of recognised public interest.
For more information: http://fondation.laciteduvin.com
3
About La Cité du Vin:
La Cité du Vin is a unique cultural venue located in Bordeaux, dedicated to wine as a cultural, universal
and living heritage. It offers a spectacular journey around the world, through the ages, in all cultures.
Visitors may book tickets at www.laciteduvin.com
In October, La Cité du Vin is open from Monday to Friday from 10am to 6.30pm, and on Saturdays and
Sundays from 9.30pm to 7pm. During the autumn holidays, La Cité du Vin is open every day from
9.30am to 7pm.
Press contacts:
La Cité du Vin: Pauline Versace Ph. 00+33+(0)5 47 50 06 73 / 00+33+ (0)7 68 33 39 29
[email protected]
Agence Hémisphère Sud: Corinne Hennequin – Manon Anceaux T. 00+33+(0)5 57 77 59 60 /
00+33+(0)6 37 04 78 65
[email protected]
4