Avenue Vine

Money raised from the sale of donated wine from top Bordeaux châteaux will benefit the three main initiatives of the prince's foundation: climate change, biodiversity and available drinking water. The foundation is an environmental initiative launched by the prince last year.

“Here in Bordeaux, we want to be more active in raising funds for important causes, and because the environment impacts wine and wine harvests, this is truly an important cause,” Florence Cathiard

said.

Although it is expected to take place in May, a date has not yet been set for the auction, which is still in the planning stages, Cathiard said after meetings in Paris with Sothebys.

Prince Albert II has announced he will attend the annual Fete de la Fleur dinner – which celebrates the flowering of the vines – on 21 June at Château Smith Haut Lafitte.

Some 1,500 guests including “top wine VIPS” are to attend the dinner, which will also commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Pessac-Léognan appellation in the northern Graves region of Bordeaux, said Smith Haut Lafitte representative David Ornon.

Prince Albert recently explored the Arctic region to study the effects of climate change...

Source: “Worldwide auction of heavyweight 2005 Bordeaux to benefit environment,” Panos Kakaviatos, Decanter, January 15, 2007

And This:
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PRINCE ALBERT II OF MONACO LAUNCHES FOUNDATION IN “PERSONAL COMMITMENT FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT"

H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco announced today the creation of a new foundation, the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, as part of His “personal commitment for the protection of the environment and for sustainable development”.

The Prince listed the serious environmental warning signs that “require each of us to act if we are to protect our planet for future generations. We all share the environment; its protection is our duty”.

Prince Albert II cited the impact of global warming, including rising temperatures and ocean levels, as well air and water pollution, fast-decreasing biodiversity, and lack of clean water for billions of people worldwide. Jean-Louis Etienne, the eminent explorer and environment expert, joined Prince Albert to elaborate on these topics and other environmental challenges.

The Prince Albert II Foundation “will be a permanent source of dynamic and innovative actions for environmental protection and sustainable development”, the Prince said. “It will act to accelerate action by mobilizing people and resources on an international scale”.

The Foundation will focus on three areas: climate change, biodiversity, and access to drinking water.

“Monaco may not be the biggest country in the world, but I am determined to show it can be among the most innovative when dealing with the environment,” Prince Albert said.

The Prince referred to Monaco’s long tradition of protection of the oceans. “My great-great grandfather, Prince Albert I, led four expeditions to the North Pole a century ago” He reminded. “On the two recent trips which I made following in his footsteps, our measurements showed significant reduction of the glacier there, one sign of the urgency of the situation”.

“The Foundation, dedicated to environmental protection and sustainable development, which I am announcing today, aims to play a key role in responding to this urgency. Please be assured of my personal and permanent commitment to that goal,” concluded the Prince.

Source: Press Release; Monaco Consultants, MONACO--June 27, 2006