By V. Sivaji
The legendary island of Langkawi had the rare honour of hosting an exclusive wine gathering organised by the world’s largest wine and champagne supplier.- Les Grands Chais de France (GCF) recently.
The prestigious two-day event was held at The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi, bringing together around 70 esteemed wine distributors and partners from across Asia and the Pacific.
Delegates hailed from a range of countries including Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, Cambodia, New Caledonia, Guam and even Fiji.
Welcoming the guests were key representatives from Les Grands Chais de France, namely, Mrs. Laurence Helfrich, Owner, Jean Raymond Clarenc, Director of Crus et Domaine de France, Maxime Boureille, Key Area Director, Southeast Asia, Ms. LinLin Heckly, Country Manager, Southeast Asia and their team members.
Ms Laurence in Langkawi
They were joined by a 15-member team who flew in from Paris for the occasion.
“Langkawi was selected for its strategic location within Asia and ease of accessibility. It also gave our clients the opportunity to break from routine and enjoy the beauty of the island.
“The planning of this event took nearly a year.,” said Ms Laurence to Penang Hyperlocal.
This marked the first time GCF has hosted such a gathering in Asia. In addition to networking sessions, the event featured a wine masterclass and the introduction of their new non-alcoholic wine range—a significant innovation in the industry.
Ms. Laurence Helfrich also noted the growing strength of GCF’s markets in Thailand and Vietnam, reflecting the region’s increasing appetite for fine wines.
The event concluded with a luxurious dinner at The Ritz-Carlton and a sunset yacht cruise on board the fancy “Star of the Sea” the next day—offering a truly unforgettable Langkawi experience.
The event was assisted and supported by S. H. Maju Sdn Bhd in terms of logistics and other necessary arrangements by their team here in Langkawi.
