ボルドー最高評議会
the Grand conseil du vin de bordeaux
CommanderIES, wine brotherhoods

Benoît Marcenac - Founding Maître

An incredible evening at the Northern Club on Monday, October 16^th 2023 in Auckland. This evening was filled with a lot of emotion, a lot of laughter and an incredible selection of wines and as always accompanied by excellent food during the dinner that followed our AGM.

When we hold this type of dinner with just Commandeurs, we ask everyone to bring a nice bottle and this time we were not disappointed! As you will see in one of the photos, the Commandeurs present had unearthed some real treasures from their cellar and the range of wines was exceptional.

My sincere congratulations go above all to our friend Susie for having been elected our new Maître. Susie will make us proud by wearing the gold medallion.

I also extend a warm welcome to our new Board members, Liz Wheadon, Patrick Schweder and Rowan Moss!

Finally, Mike Corry accompanies me in my retirement from the Board of Directors and deserves a huge «thank you» for being part of the team as a founding member.

The new elected Board of the Commanderie is composed of (in alphabetical order):

Will Brunel-Morvan, Vinothécaire
Ian Cathro
Jacqueline Lethbridge
Mousse de sorbier
Chris Schultz
Patrick Schweder
Susie Stone, Maître
Liz Wheadon

Emotion overwhelmed me a little when Susie gave me the message from the Grand Maître .  His words were so personal, generous and touching.

Then, on behalf of the members of the New Zealand Commanderie, Susie presented me with a beautiful engraved decanter, created by a collaboration between designer Richard Brendon and world-renowned oenologist Jancis Robinson.

I feel proud and honoured to have been at the head of the New Zealand Commanderie for the past five years and I will remain one of its active supporters.

Bordeaux, toujours Bordeaux !