Ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, we get former England Captain Chris Robshaw’s insight on his transition from world-class sport to fine wine.
Twelve months ago, Chris made the big decision to hang up his pro-boots and looked to pursue new interests. He had a clear ambition to continue his charitable work with his wife Camilla in their joint project, the Kerslake Robshaw Foundation. Their charity supports promising young people from less privileged backgrounds to further their education and careers through music and sport. Alongside this, Chris also wanted to explore some of his interests outside of sport, luckily for Vin-X, one of those was fine wine.
How did Chris Robshaw get a taste for fine wine?
“Whilst touring with England I had the opportunity to visit some of the great wine regions and whenever possible would go to local vineyards. This piqued my interest in investing in wine and with the acquisition of a case of Lafite Rothschild whilst still playing rugby for England, I added fine wine to my investment portfolio.
After retiring from professional rugby last summer, a chance meeting with Vin-X Directors, James and Peter Shakeshaft provided the perfect opportunity to look at wine more seriously. A year on, I have discovered there is so much more to the world of fine wine and understanding wine as an alternative asset is fascinating. The Vin-X experts have also guided me to add other wines to my portfolio and it's been great to see its value increase.
What has happened in Chris' first year in fine wine?
The learning experience throughout this first year has been really rewarding, not just through working alongside an expert team, but also who I've met in the industry, the great wine-tastings and vineyard visits and I am also now qualified, having passed the Wine & Spirits Education Trust Level 2 in Wine exam.
My time with Vin-X has brought home the reality of the wine investments I own. With James and other key members of the team I have visited several of the world’s iconic vineyards, enjoyed private lunches at Chateaux Cheval Blanc and Lafite Rothschild and met some inspirational wine makers. The value of fine wine is undeniable when you witness the reality of these magnificent estates and the brilliant people involved.
Having worked at the highest levels in sport, I recognise the same passion, commitment, skill and performance in the creation of the great fine wines, and I am proud to be associated with with this industry.”
What does Chris Robshaw do at Vin-X?
Chris joined Vin-X as our Sport & Entertainment Director with a remit to help fellow sports professionals and high-profile individuals who work in entertainment to also understand the benefits of wine as a luxury investment. For these clients, Chris helps them understand the wine investment process with the support of our technical team and hosts unique wine events here in the UK and at vineyards in Europe.
Chairman, Peter Shakeshaft commented “When you choose to work with a public figure, initially you are never sure how it will pan out. How ready are they for a new challenge, what level of commitment will they give, how up for the learning that needs to be done are they, and how do they blend into an existing team. Chris has been magnificent. His leadership skills, willingness to get involved and passion for wine are brilliant and we are extremely proud to have him as a key member of the Vin-X team.”
Commercial Director James Shakeshaft stated “Chris has brought a new dynamic to the Vin-X team. You can see his professionalism and desire to simply be the best he can in everything he does. Transferring to a new industry or specialism is never easy. Attending courses as a public figure where people know who you are and are looking to see how you perform adds another layer of pressure. Chris has met some of the most influential people in the wine making world in his first year with us and been a fantastic ambassador for Vin-X and the relatively embryonic industry of wine investment. He is a great member of the team and it’s an absolute pleasure working with him.
My highlights in the first year working with Chris have been our visits to Chateau Mouton Rothschild, La Mission Haut Brion, Pavie and Figeac. The sensational gala dinner at Chateau Gruaud Larose at the end of the 2022 En Primeurs campaign was fantastic. But the pinnacle so far must be the private lunches hosted by Chateaux Cheval Blanc and Lafite Rothschild in May this year. It’s hard to imagine how they can be bettered – but we will keep trying!”
We are immensely proud to have Chris in the Vin-X team and are all looking forward to supporting England in the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Follow Chris Robshaw, James Shakeshaft and Vin-X on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram throughout the campaign for our comments on the rugby and the all-important local wines!