Global wine producer Penfolds has introduced a new initiative to support projects benefiting local communities and winemaking in France.
The Evermore Grant Program is offering €120,000 to residents and businesses in France for innovative projects that contribute to local communities, culture, or advancements in winemaking.
The program was initially launched in Australia in 2024, receiving over 80 entries, with six projects awarded AUD$200,000 (approximately €117,200) to help bring their ideas to fruition. This year, Penfolds has chosen France for the initiative, inspired by its winemaking efforts and partnerships in Bordeaux and Champagne.
Kristy Keyte, chief marketing officer of Penfolds, said: “Following the successful delivery of our inaugural program in Australia, we are excited to bring the grant program to France. Evermore reflects our ambition to honour our storied past while creating a legacy designed to impact the future positively. As we continue to grow in the region, it’s important we give back to those communities supporting us to truly become a global winemaker."
Entries for the initiative are now open on the Evermore Grant Program website until April 20, 2025. This year, Penfolds is seeking projects within two categories: Community and Culture, and Future Winemaking. The Community and Culture category aims to support projects that help communities thrive by fostering connections, experiencing culture, or increasing community resilience. The Future Winemaking category seeks projects introducing new approaches, ideas, or innovations to support a resilient and thriving winemaking industry.
Applications will be evaluated based on their alignment with the grant guidelines and eligibility criteria. Shortlisted applications will advance to a judging panel composed of selected Penfolds staff members from around the world, as well as experts from the wine industry based in France. The successful recipients of the Evermore Grant will be announced in June 2025.
The Penfolds Evermore Grant Program is part of Penfolds 'Evermore' sustainability platform, which aims to ensure that the wine producer positively impacts the world. In 2023, Penfolds committed AUD$1 million (€586,000) over five years to the Penfolds Evermore Grant Program. This program will be administered in multiple rounds across different territories, starting with Australia and followed by France.
Evermore represents Penfolds' first coordinated sustainability strategy at the brand level, reflecting its aspirations as a global winemaker, employer, and leader committed to leaving a positive mark on the communities and people it engages with. The initiative is intended to complement Treasury Wine Estate’s broader sustainability strategy, focusing on areas closely tied to Penfolds' DNA.
Shauna Bastow, Penfolds winemaker, based in Bordeaux, France, commented: “The Evermore Grant Program allows us to foster innovation and growth in the winemaking and viticulture industry as well as support connection in the communities in which we operate. It’s our way of giving back, creating positive change and leaving lasting impacts that support a thriving industry and communities across the globe. With an evolving industry needing to meet the needs of an ever-changing climate, we hope to see applications that support sustainability, industry innovation and community resilience in France.”
.jpg)
