Sep 03: Primum Familiae Vini (PFV) has announced Matthieu Perrin of Famille Perrin, cousin of outgoing President Marc Perrin, to serve till June 2021 and is excited about the €100,000 Sustainability Prize it announced in June 2020, a first in its 28- year history, even as the annual meeting was not held for the first time, writes Subhash Arora clarifying that the Presidency-by-rotation every year stays with Perrin family for unprecedented 2 years
Traditionally the Presidency passes from one family to another at the annual PFV conference in July, but the Covid-19 pandemic forced the postponement of the gathering of the twelve in Chateauneuf-du-Pape at Château de Beaucastel until June 2021.
A Press Release by PFV quotes Matthieu Perrin saying: “I am proud and pleased to take on the Presidency of the PFV. I believe that Family companies should personify the best values of social responsibility and the more human face of free enterprise at a time when excess globalisation and depressing uniformity have become increasingly prevalent. This is why PFV is so important, and it is my duty and pleasure to thank my predecessor Marc for the energy that he dedicated to our association.”
The PFV association comprises of 12 historic European wine families: Antinori, Joseph Drouhin, Egon Müller, Famille Hugel, Familia Torres, Baron Philippe de Rothschild, Famille Perrin, Vega Sicilia, Tenuta San Guido, Symington Family Estates, Pol Roger and Domaine Clarence Dillon.
There had been 11 families as far back as I remember, when I met the members in 2007 at one of the events organised by Sanjay Menon of Sonarys. Robert Mondavi from the US had been the 12th member till he sold his family winery to the Constellation Brands in 2004. They are all well-established wine companies with a long tradition of making quality wines- the youngest member, Domaine Clarence Dillon was founded in 1935. Prince Robert of Luxembourg joined this association of historic wine families 2 years ago in October 2018, taking the number back to its full 12 members. Marchesi Antinori, the oldest family company was founded in 1385.
Domaine Clarence Dillon are the owners of three iconic vineyards in Bordeaux- Château Haut-Brion, Château La Mission Haut-Brion and Château Quintus. Prince Robert has more recently created the super-premium Bordeaux brand Clarendelle and Bordeaux's fine wine merchant, Clarence Dillon Wines.
‘The winner of the €100,000 Sustainability Award will be awarded to a family-owned company that demonstrates excellence, sustainability, innovation and the transmission of experience and know-how through the generations. These are the values that we in the PFV hold,’ says Matthieu Perrin, adding, ‘during the year of my presidency, the PFV will reinforce its passionate belief in the value of family wine companies and we will continue to defend the distinctive voice and deep artisan roots of those that are committed to absolute quality.’
The winner will have the opportunity to share knowledge with the 12 PFV families, all of whom have a long experience in overcoming numerous and at times existential challenges throughout their histories.
Applications for The PFV Prize 2020 can be made at www.thepfvprize.com and will close on October 30, 2020. The Short Listed five family-owned companies will be published in January 2021 and the winner will be announced in March 2021.
By announcing this prize at a time of international crisis resulting from Covid-19, the PFV has emphasized the long-term thinking of family companies and their inherent optimism about the future provided the right values were defended.
For an earlier related Article, please visit:
Marc Perrin elected as the new President of PFV
Prince Robert of Two Haut-Brions
Subhash Arora
JURY FOR THE AWARD
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