WHAT: This evening event features a private showing of the documentary, "Waking the Sleeping Grape", in which director Sebastian Basco and advisor Fongyee Walker present the story of a new generation of Chinese winemakers in Yunnan, Xinjiang, Ningxia, and Shandong, followed by a tasting of wines from these regions.

WHEN: Saturday July 27th, 2024, from 5.30-8 PM Beijing Time (doors open 5 PM)

WHERE: La Maison Lyonnaise, 44 Guanghua Lu (across from the Brazilian Embassy)

Chaoyang District 朝阳区光华路44号

MORE ABOUT THE EVENT: This in-person RASBJ event, including a film showing, wine-tasting and Q&A with the director and advisor of "Waking the Sleeping Grape" takes place on Saturday July 27th. Part of the surplus from the event will be donated to The Hutong Library Project, a one-stop resource centre for those interested in learning about the history, preservation and restoration of traditional Beijing courtyard houses run by Matthew Hu, who heads up the Courtyard Institute and the Cultural Heritage Protection Center.

Wine has been an integral part of human history for millennia, bringing people together in settings ranging from international diplomacy to family dinners. This role makes it an ideal narrative device to help dispel the many misconceptions and misunderstandings that exist between China and the rest of the world.

"Waking the Sleeping Grape" captures the raw passion and dreams of Chinese winemakers, who, despite facing overwhelming challenges, are dedicated to crafting exceptional wines. Filmed in breathtaking locations such as the Himalayan foothills and the Helan Mountains in Ningxia, the film offers a glimpse into the hearts, minds, and souls of the Chinese people.

MORE ABOUT THE SPEAKERS: Director Sebastian Basco is a television and film director, writer, producer, and music composer. A graduate of the UK's Winchester College and Brown University in the States, he moved first to Shanghai and then to Hong Kong to establish an independent film production company. His new venture focuses on producing original feature films and documentaries, with East/West themes. His film, Waking the Sleeping Grape has featured at the prestigious Venice Film Festival.

Advisor Fongyee Walker is the co-founder, with Edward Ragg, of Dragon Phoenix Wine Consulting, Beijing's first and fully independent wine consulting and education service. She became the first Master of Wine resident in mainland China in 2016 with her dissertation on winter vine burial practices in Hebei and Ningxia. She was featured in the award-winning wine documentary Red Obsession, and starred in Wok 'n Wine, a popular livestreamed show.

HOW MUCH: RMB 200 for RASBJ members and members of partner RAS branches; RMB 300 for non-members. You may find payment by Alipay easier than by Wechat. You can also pay by credit card. Interested in becoming an RASBJ member? Please sign up at https://rasbj.org/membership​

HOW TO JOIN THE EVENT: Please click "Register" or "I Will Attend" by July 25th and follow the instructions. After successful registration you will receive a confirmation email. If you seem not to have received it, please check your spam folder.

Members of partner RAS Branches: Please register 72 hours in advance to allow time for membership verification. You'll receive three emails from us: the first confirming receipt of your registration request, the second requesting payment, and the third confirming receipt of payment. Please check your spam folder to ensure you see all RASBJ emails. Registrations for those who have not paid by July 25th will be cancelled.

REFUND POLICY: Registrants who cancel before July 25th will be refunded. If the event is cancelled or postponed by RASBJ, registrants will be refunded in full.

NOTE: Dinner is not included in the event. Attendees can make their own arrangements atLa Maison Lyonnaise for after the event, by emailing Francis.perouse@yandex.com, or phoning 13260034808.