Romané Basset is the Co-Founder and Trustee of the Gérard Basset Foundation, established in memory of his father, the renowned sommelier Gérard Basset.
Having grown up in an environment deeply rooted in hospitality, gastronomy, and wine, he is now dedicated to carrying forward his father’s legacy through the Foundation’s work. Within the organization, he is responsible for liaising with prospective applicants and recipients across the Foundation’s various programs, which aim to foster inclusion and support emerging talent in the fields of wine, gastronomy, and hospitality around the world. He also oversees the Foundation’s digital communications, including its website and social media platforms.
Following a five-month internship with Moët & Chandon in Épernay, during which he welcomed visitors to the Dom Pérignon estate in Hautvillers, Romané has continued to pursue his career and studies in the world of wine.
In 2022, he was selected for Harpers Wine & Spirit’s “30 Under 30”, recognizing the most promising young professionals in the wine and spirits industry. In 2025, he was also named among Drinks Retailing’s Top 100 Most Influential People in Wine.
Gérard Basset Foundation
Founded in 2021 in memory of the renowned sommelier Gérard Basset, the Gérard Basset Foundation is an international charitable organization dedicated to making the worlds of wine, spirits, and hospitality more inclusive, diverse, and accessible. Inspired by Gérard Basset’s lifelong commitment to excellence, education, and generosity, the Foundation believes that hospitality can be a powerful force for social mobility and positive change.The Foundation’s mission is to identify, encourage, and support talented individuals from underrepresented and disadvantaged communities by helping them access education, mentoring, and career opportunities in the wine and hospitality industries.
Its work is built around three main pillars:
- Scholarships that enable aspiring professionals to pursue internationally recognized qualifications in wine, hospitality, and spirits.
- Grants awarded to nonprofit organizations, schools, and educational initiatives that promote diversity, inclusion, and professional development around the world.
- Mentoring, internships, and networking opportunities, connecting scholars with leading professionals and providing long-term guidance throughout their careers.
Today, the Gérard Basset Foundation supports initiatives in more than 30 countries, working with educational institutions, charities, and industry partners to remove barriers to opportunity. Particular attention is given to people from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and underrepresented communities, with a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, religion, or sexual orientation.
Through Gérard Basset’s legacy, the Foundation promotes a vision of hospitality in which knowledge sharing, mentorship, excellence, and generosity go hand in hand, helping to build a more diverse, inclusive, and socially responsible global hospitality community.
