Don’t let the Latin name fool you. Literally, the First Families of Wine, Primum Familiae Vini represents 11 giants of the wine industry, all family-owned and operated. Open a bottle of wine with dinner and chances are one of these prestigious names is behind it. This prominent group of world-class vintners is recognized and respected internationally for unparalleled wines. This March, they are coming to Vancouver.

Founded in 1990 by Miguel Torres and Robert Drouhin, the group also includes such household names as Château Mouton Rothschild, Antinori, Pol Roger, Hugel & Fils, the Symington Family, Egon Muller, Vega Sicilia and Tenuta San Guido. Worldwide business consolidations have changed the landscape, with founding members Robert Mondavi and Paul Jaboulet resigning and the Perrin family of Château de Beaucastel joining.

But there’s more. These industry giants combine their forces not only in business, but also in benevolent endeavours.

Twice a year, members from each of the families travel to a city to hold a fundraising gala dinner and auction for the various charities they support. The auction offers one only, rare, coveted and collectable case of flagship wines – one bottle from each member of this famous wine fraternity. Events have been held in Singapore and Mumbai, Moscow and Warsaw, Paris, London, Chicago and in Canada in both Montreal and Toronto. This year, it’s Vancouver’s turn to host this amazing assembly!

The collection case is never sold, although sometimes it is presented to select heads of state – recent recipients include the Spanish and Swedish kings. Otherwise, the only way to obtain this extremely rare collection is to be the highest bidder at the upcoming auction at the Four Seasons Hotel in Vancouver on March 11. Vancouver’s auction will support the BC Mental Health Foundation.

The wines presented in the collection case at the auction include one bottle each of the flagship wine produced by each of the Primum Familiae Vini members:

• MARCHESI ANTINORI
• JOSEPH DROUHIN
• HUGEL & FILS
• PERRIN & FILS
• TENUTA SAN GUIDO
• CHÂTEAU MOUTON ROTHSCHILD
• EGON MULLER-SCHARZHOF
• POL ROGER
• SYMINGTON PORT & MADEIRA
• TORRES
• VEGA SICILIA

For more information on this prestigious group and wine collection to be auctioned, please go to www.pfv.org. For other Primum Familiae Vini wines stocked at BC Liquor Stores visit our Product Catalogue and search by supplier name.