Liquid Icons, the Gérard Basset Foundation & Artémis Domaines Continue to Support Wine Professionals Displaced by War and Conflict.
Liquid Icons, the Gérard Basset Foundation, and Artémis Domaines are honoured to announce that Eleonora Kolieichik, originally from Eastern Ukraine, and Anastasiia Igorevna Fedchenko, originally from Odesa, are the two recipients of the 2026 Artémis Domaines Golden Vines Victims of Conflict Scholarships.
Created in partnership with Artémis Domaines, these scholarships provide meaningful assistance and career progression for wine professionals whose lives and careers have been affected by war and geopolitical conflict. Each recipient is awarded a fully funded, six-month bespoke internship at one of Artémis Domaines' world-renowned estates: Beaux-Frères, Bouchard Père & Fils, Champagne Jaquesson, Château Latour, Château-Grillet, Clos de Tart, Domaine d'Eugénie, Vignoble des Cabottes, and Eisele Vineyard. Placements will be tailored to each Scholar's experience, skills and long-term career aspirations across viticulture, winemaking, production, hospitality, communications, and marketing.
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“This year’s scholarships attracted 26 applications from all over the world, the highest number since the programme was established, highlighting both the growing recognition of the initiative and the continuing need to support talented professionals whose careers have been interrupted by conflict,” according to Romané Basset, Head of Operations and Co-Founding Trustee of the Gérard Basset Foundation. “The war in Ukraine may no longer dominate the daily news agenda, but for those whose lives and careers have been disrupted, its effects are obviously real and ongoing. These scholarships are about investing in talent, creating opportunity and ensuring that gifted wine professionals are not defined by the circumstances they have endured. We are delighted to welcome Eleonora and Anastasiia to our community and look forward to working closely with each of them.” |
The winners were selected in two rounds by a judging panel consisting of Ian Harris MBE DipWSET, Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Gérard Basset Foundation, and Jérémy Cukierman MW.
Now based in Paris, France, Eleonora Kolieichik works as a Sommelier and Commercial Assistant at Archives. Anastasiia Igorevna Fedchenko, now living in Tarragona, Spain, is a Wine Data Specialist at AVU Luxury Wine. Through their internships with Artémis Domaines, both Scholars will gain invaluable experience, helping them take the next steps in their respective professional journeys. Both Eleonora and Anastasiia had to flee their native Ukraine because of the war and start over again in a foreign country.
The Artémis Domaines Golden Vines Victims of Conflict Scholarships reflect the Gérard Basset Foundation's belief that education, mentorship and professional opportunity can help transform lives. By supporting individuals whose livelihoods have been interrupted by conflict, the Foundation continues Gérard Basset's legacy of opening doors and nurturing talent across the global wine community.
As global attention appears to shift from one crisis to the next, the personal and professional consequences of war and conflict continue long after the headlines have faded. For talented wine professionals forced to leave their homes and rebuild their lives, access to meaningful career opportunities remains as important as ever.
About The Gérard Basset Foundation
The Gérard Basset Foundation is the world's leading charitable foundation dedicated to using the wine, spirits and hospitality industries as a vehicle for change. Gérard Basset (7th March 1957 – 16th January 2019) OBE MS MW MBA OIV MSC ASI World's Best Sommelier 2010 was without question one of the greatest wine professionals of his era. During his lifetime, Gérard mentored and trained a generation of young sommeliers who sought out his expertise and guidance to launch their own successful careers. Many of those protégés are now connected with the Foundation and remain instrumental in keeping Gérard's legacy alive and flourishing. The Gérard Basset Foundation was co-founded in 2021 by Gérard's wife Nina and their son Romané who also serve as trustees alongside Jancis Robinson OBE MW and Ian Harris. https://gerardbassetfoundation.org
About Artémis Domaines
Created in 1993, Artémis Domaines selectively invests in high-quality vineyards and terroirs with a view to managing and developing them over the long term. Artémis Domaines owns 8 properties in Bordeaux, Burgundy, the Rhône Valley, Champagne, the Napa Valley in California and Oregon: Château Latour, Eisele Vineyard, Domaine d'Eugénie, Château Grillet, Clos de Tart, Champagne Jacquesson, Beaux Frères, Vignoble des Cabottes, and Bouchard Père et Fils. The Artémis Domaines properties share the same constant quest for excellence and commitment to environmental protection. All the vineyards in property are certified organic, and the eight estates cultivate their vines in accordance with agroecology principles. https://www.artemis-domaines.com/en/
About The Golden Vines®
Established in 2021 to honour, celebrate and elevate 'the best of the best' in fine wine and rare spirits, The Golden Vines® has become the definitive benchmark of excellence within the global industry. Decided by a global voting process made up of hundreds of qualified members of The Golden Vines Academy, the annual three-day celebration brings together an exclusive mix of leading winemakers, top-tier collectors and UHNWIs. Enrolment in The Golden Vines Academy is reserved for individuals with the requisite knowledge and experience, ensuring that the awards are judged by an informed and credible voting body. Taking place across some of the world's most beautiful cities and venues, the event offers guests an unrivalled weekend of masterclasses, exceptional culinary programming and unique tastings. The Golden Vines also serves as a platform for meaningful change through its partnership with the Gérard Basset Foundation. As of year-end 2025, The Golden Vines has helped raise more than USD 6 million to fund grants, scholarships and educational programmes for young people, often from challenging or under-represented backgrounds, creating access to world-class wine and hospitality education, training and work placements. The Golden Vines are organised by Liquid Icons: https://liquidicons.com
Editor Marinos Skolarikos
Member of Golden Vines Academy
