Cape Town - A proverbial drop in the wine lake? Perhaps, but Fairtrade drops produce pleasing statistics and positive news, welcome counterpoints to an industry battling on several fronts.
On March 3, the annual Fairtrade awareness campaign drew to a close after a week of seminars, launches and promotions in which celebrity chef Reuben Riffel took part as a brand ambassador.
This global ethical certification system promotes equality and sustainability in the agricultural sector, which, in practical terms, raises funds to improve labour and living conditions in farming communities, while promoting agricultural practices that don’t harm people or the environment.
Wine and coffee are two Fairtrade products that have attracted South African consumers, as well as many in the hospitality industry, who have switched to these brands, resulting in sales trebling year on year to reach a predicted R250-million in 2013.
As the world’s largest producer of Fairtrade wine, let’s take a closer look at one of them – uniWines in Rawsonville. The company incorporates three cellars – Daschbosch, Groot Eiland and Nuwehoop – all of which contribute decades of expertise, pressing some 45 000 tons of grapes annually from 50 farmers. Just two of these are certified Fairtrade growers from which the Palesa wines are produced, amounting to 15 percent of their annual production of 35 million litres.
Writer Andreas Spath visited those two farms, talking to the workers who presented evidence of benefits reaped from their portion of the Fairtrade Development Premium. They are assured of a prescribed minimum salary, and have elected committees which meet monthly to decide how funds should be used.
In the six years since their employers became Fairtrade growers, working conditions have improved through the use of protective clothing when handling agrochemicals.
Among first purchases were television sets, DStv decoders and satellite dishes for their homes. Local soccer and angling clubs were kitted out with gear and clothing. The perennial transport problem has been solved with purchases of a truck and a minibus.
School fees and bursaries absorb some of the funds, and a crèche has been built, staffed by women paid from the fund.
A new community hall is well used, drug counselling sessions are attended, solar water heaters are being installed. Less tangible benefits include a better relationship with employers, reduction of discrimination against women, some reduction in alcoholism and, to quote Izak Pedro, “with Fairtrade they have more to look forward to and live for”.
Read the full article on the Fairtrade website at www.fairtradesa.org.za.
The Palesa range consists of two screwcapped whites, two reds and a sweet bubbly, all priced around R35 at the cellars. They can also be ordered online and are stocked by a few city outlets.
The range is characterised by low alcohol levels – the Moscata, made from muscat, is just 7.5 percent – and are undemanding and easy-drinking. The sauvignon blanc is green and sprightly, the chenin is crisp, and along with the award-winning merlot, they make a good trio for informal meals, while 60c from the purchase price of each bottle goes to Fairtrade.
FACT FILE
* South Africa is the largest producer of Fairtrade wine in the world, with about 5 percent of grapes certified. Nearly 12 million litres of Fairtrade wines were sold globally in 2011, with two-thirds coming from South Africa.
* More than 2 500 farmworkers from 47 Fairtrade South African wine grape farms benefit from Fairtrade premium funds.
* About 35 percent of the funds were used for school equipment and bursaries, worker training and income-generating projects, 20 percent on infrastructure developments such as building crèches, and 15 percent on community buildings, including sport facilities.
* In 2010/2011, 256 000 bottles of Fairtrade wine were sold in South Africa, raising R12.1 million for farmworkers.
* If half of all the wines sold in South Africa were Fairtrade-certified, farmworkers in the Cape wine industry would get more than R140m a year to spend on community projects.
* See www.fairtradesa.org.za for a list of SA labels and Cape producers of Fairtrade wines.
Wine diary
* The annual Simonsberg Wine Route market day takes place at Delvera estate on Sunday, March 10, where more than 20 farms will pour their new wines and families can enjoy country fare, craft stalls, live music, horse rides and more. Interactive wine tastings cost R50, with proceeds donated to the Pebbles Project. Entry is free. For more information, e-mail [email protected], or visit www.wineroute.co.za.
* Leopard Leap Vineyards makes the venue for the Franschhoek Summer Wines on March 16, when 30 valley cellars will showcase their best labels. The Harvest Table will present deli-style fare, while the ice cream bar will offer cool finales. Tickets, which cost R180, will be limited to 450 visitors. Book through www.webtickets.co.za, or contact 021 876 2861 for more information. - Weekend Argus