Grosset Gaia Fund is named after noted English scientist James Lovelock who proposed the Gaia Theory, the inspiration behind the structure of this Fund.
Lovelock proposed that the Earth is a single organism, reliant on the complexity and diversity of its species to maintain ecological health. Gaia is also the name of the first vineyard planted by Grosset in 1986, which set new standards in sustainability at the time and has become recognised as the source of acclaimed cabernet-based wine, Grosset Gaia.
While Lovelock’s theory emphasised environmental rather than human sustainability, these are ultimately, in Grosset’s view, one and the same.
The income stream generated from the Fund’s investments is donated to charitable organisations supporting youth, the arts, research and the environment.
The Fund’s administration cost is minimal. There are no salaries. Consequently, virtually every dollar of income generated reaches the chosen charities.
In 2016-17 period, the Grosset Gaia Fund (an Australian Government listed charity) made donations to the following organisations:
The Wool Wine and Wheat Country Education Fund of Australia. (Clare Valley Region), assisting tertiary students from rural areas.
https://cef.org.au/cef/cef-foundations/sa-foundations/wool-wine-wheat-country-education-fund-clare-valley-region/
South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Grosset Gaia Fund is a Founding Ambassador.
https://www.sahmri.com/our-research/themes/healthy-mothers-babies-children/theme/theme-overview
Teen Rescue Foundation , assist youth against alcohol abuse
http://teenrescuefoundation.org.au
University Of South Australia , undertake literature review on Wine Closures
http://www.unisa.edu.au/
The Grosset Gaia Fund has initiated a comprehensive review into ‘The impact of Closure on the Ageing of Bottled Wine’. Achieved with the assistance of the Australian Wine Research Institute and the University of South Australia, the full report will be released March 2018. Jeffrey Grosset hopes that by leading the world in this important field, greater opportunities will emerge for younger Australian winemakers, viticulturists and wine researchers.