Penfolds Bridges Continents with Two Hemisphere Wine Tasting at 2025 CESASC Gala
Los Angeles, Ca — As part of the 2025 CESASC (Chinese-American Engineers and Scientists Association of Southern California) Forum and Gala Dinner held on April 26, Penfolds, the iconic global winemaker, hosted a distinctive Two Hemisphere Wine Tasting in Los Angeles. The event highlighted a harmonious blend of tradition, innovation, and cultural exchange — all central themes of both Penfolds’ legacy and the broader Chinese-American experience.
Founded in 1844 in Australia, Penfolds has long been a symbol of winemaking excellence. In recent years, the brand has expanded its global presence to include not only its native Australia, but also California, France, and China. At the tasting, guests were invited to experience both Penfolds’ signature Australian wines and its newer California Collection, a range that captures the essence of transpacific collaboration.
“The Two Hemisphere tasting isn’t just about wine — it’s about storytelling,” said a Penfolds spokesperson at the event. “These wines reflect our journey as a brand and resonate with the Chinese-American journey: rooted in heritage, thriving in new environments, and evolving with time.”
The California Collection, which launched to international acclaim, pays tribute to Penfolds’ bold move to cultivate wines in American soil. It mirrors the immigrant ethos — grounded in legacy, yet forward-looking. Guests at the event were able to sample selections from both hemispheres, gaining a rare comparative insight into terroir, technique, and taste.
As part of its ongoing commitment to cultural respect and celebration, Penfolds has also produced limited-edition bottlings such as the Chinese Zodiac-themed Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz, honoring the traditions of the Chinese lunar calendar. These special editions reflect the brand’s nuanced appreciation for the global communities it serves.
Dr. Lei Xu, president of CESASC, welcomed the collaboration with Penfolds, noting that “this year’s Forum and Gala emphasizes not just scientific and technological excellence, but also the spirit of cross-cultural unity and shared progress — values that Penfolds clearly champions.”
Held in the heart of the San Gabriel Valley, home to one of the largest Chinese-American communities in the United States, the event brought together engineers, entrepreneurs, scientists, and community leaders. The wine tasting offered a moment of reflection and celebration amid a day of serious discussions about innovation, sustainability, and global leadership.
Penfolds, with its commitment to excellence and cross-cultural dialogue, raised a toast not just to fine wine, but to community, legacy, and the shared future ahead.
“We are honored to be part of this year’s CESASC celebrations,” the Penfolds representative added. “Tonight, we toast to tradition, to transformation, and to the enduring bonds that connect continents — and people — across the world.”
