The Drinks Trust is thrilled to announce that beloved broadcaster, bestselling author, and acclaimed winemaker Graham Norton will co-host its highly anticipated Gala on Monday, October 6, 2025, at the prestigious Claridge’s Hotel in London, alongside renowned Global Rum Ambassador and Drinks Trust Trustee, Ian Burrell.
This glamorous black-tie event will welcome 240 influential guests from across the drinks industry for a night of celebration, fundraising, and industry support. A highlight of the evening will be Graham Norton’s role as co-host – bringing his trademark wit and warmth to the fundraiser. Norton’s longstanding involvement in the wine industry, through his twelve-year collaboration with New Zealand winery Invivo, and his commitment to charitable causes make him a natural fit for the occasion.
“I’m delighted to be joining the trade at this year’s Drinks Trust Gala and lending my MC skills to support such a worthwhile cause,” said Graham Norton. “I’m looking forward to an evening of laughter, fundraising, and a well-deserved toast or two!”
The Gala will begin with a Champagne Taittinger reception, followed by a gourmet three-course dinner curated by Claridge’s world-renowned chefs accompanied by GN Sauvignon Blanc. Guests will enjoy entertainment, fundraising activities, and inspiring stories about the impact of The Drinks Trust’s work across the industry – all set within the elegance of one of London’s most iconic venues.
“We are honoured to have Graham Norton both co-hosting the evening alongside our Trustee Ian Burrell, and supporting with his wine,” commented Nicky Burston, CEO of The Drinks Trust. “His influence in the drinks industry and his personal passion for supporting people behind the scenes is incredibly meaningful to our cause. This year’s Gala promises to be our most memorable yet.”
Since 2014, Norton has partnered with Invivo to craft the award-winning GN wine and spirits range. Each year, he plays an active role in tasting and blending the new vintage of GN New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. During his visit to the region in March 2025, he was uniquely recognised as Marlborough’s first-ever “Grape Ambassador” by the Mayor of Marlborough Nadine Taylor, in acknowledgement of his long-standing advocacy for the variety. In 2022, Invivo and Norton teamed up with The Drinks Trust to host The Great British Pub Quiz, raising funds for the charity’s initiatives.
Following the first release to Business Partners of the charity, tickets and sponsorship opportunities are now on general release but extremely limited.
For more information contact Nicky Burston, CEO of The Drinks Trust at nicky@drinkstrust.org.uk or visit https://www.drinkstrust.org.uk/get-involved/events-awards/upcoming-events/the-drinks-trust-gala
The Drinks Trust Gala 2025 is generously supported by Headline Sponsor Hillebrand Gori, Product Sponsors Asahi, Fentiman, Graham Norton Wines produced by Invivo, Hatch Mansfield, Mentzendorff, Treasury Wine Estates and William Grant and Sons and Media Sponsor The Drinks Business.
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Notes to the Editor
The Drinks Trust
The Drinks Trust is committed to supporting drinks hospitality colleagues, past and present, in their time of need. We provide financial assistance, nurture their wellbeing and champion the growth of a skilled and engaged workforce. Upholding our values of respect, compassion and empowerment, we are building a healthier future for our people.To find out more, please visit www.drinkstrust.org.uk
For media enquiries, please email Alessandra Brugola, Head of Marketing & Communications at alessandra@drinkstrust.org.uk
Graham Norton, GN wines and Invivo
Across his illustrious career, Graham has won nine BAFTA awards including Best Entertainment Performance and Best Entertainment Programme, a National Television Award in 2023, plus a Special Recognition Award at the National Television Awards in 2017.
Alongside presenting 32 series of the iconic The Graham Norton Show on BBC One, Graham has commentated for the UK on the Eurovision Song Contest since 2009, co-hosting the show from Liverpool in 2024, and winning an RTS Award. He can also be seen as a regular judge on all series of Ru Paul’s Drag Race.
More recent shows include Last One Laughing Ireland for Amazon Prime, and Wheel of Fortune for ITV. In recent years, Graham also hosted the Graham Norton Book Club podcast on Audible.
Graham is the author of five novels and two memoirs, winning numerous awards and gaining bestseller status. To date, foreign rights to Graham’s fiction have sold in over 10 countries. His latest novel, Frankie, which was published in September 2024, became a Sunday Times Bestseller and won the Popular Fiction Book of the Year at the Irish Book Awards.
Since 2014, Graham Norton and New Zealand’s Invivo Wines have built one of the world’s most celebrated wine partnerships. What began with a single Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand, has evolved into a global, award-winning range of wines and spirits enjoyed in over ten countries. Graham plays a hands-on role each year, blending each new vintage of the GN Sauvignon Blanc alongside Invivo’s cofounders Tim Lightbourne and Rob Cameron. In March 2025, Graham was named Marlborough’s first-ever Grape Ambassador by the Mayor of Marlborough, Nadine Taylor, in recognition of his long-standing advocacy for Sauvignon Blanc.
The flagship GN New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc leads a portfolio of ten wines and spirits, including Prosecco D.O.C, Rosé, Shiraz, Malbec, and a range of Irish gins and vodka. The wines have earned over 300 accolades and are best sellers in the UK and New Zealand and have been included in Ireland’s Top 20 brands four years in a row. Invivo, one of the Southern Hemisphere’s largest crowdfunded companies is celebrated for its innovative approach to wine, exports to 43 countries.
For media enquiries please contact rachael@invivowines.com
Image credit: Nigel Barker
For more information contact Nicky Burston, CEO of The Drinks Trust at nicky@drinkstrust.org.uk
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