Fairtrade-accredited
Place in the Sun wines are big-hearted, bright and optimistic. They are made
from Devon Valley grapes, grown by positive people, who thrive because of the
way their role is acknowledged. A premium is paid to the Stellenbosch
growers and the farm's Fairtrade Premium Committee decides on how to spend the
funds.
Apart from a series of
educational and recreational initiatives it runs to improve the quality of life
of the community of 250, the committee also cultivates two vegetable gardens.
The crops ensure a nutritious diet for the workers and their children, who
number around 180.
Almost 1,5 hectares
have been set aside for the planting of onions, potatoes, peas, squash,
pumpkins, carrots, cucumbers and watermelons, with all seeds and irrigation
supplied by the committee. The workers tend the gardens in their own
time. This year's harvest is their third. If they have more than they
need, they can sell their extra produce for personal gain.
Deon Boshoff, who
heads the team making Place in the Sun wines, says of the Fairtrade impact:
“When the workers growing and harvesting the grapes know they are a valued and
integral part of winemaking, they take extra care and it shows in the quality
of the grapes. At our cellars, we try to capture that sense of care by letting
the fruit characters come through just as they are. It’s our way of honouring
the part they play.”
There are five wines
in the range and are available at selected stockists. The juicy, flavourful
Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz retail for around R 52 each, while the
unwooded Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc are on offer for around R42.
Follow Place in the
Sun on Facebook (www.facebook.com/PlaceintheSunSA) and/or Twitter (www.twitter.com/PlaceintheSunSA ).
Visit the website: www.placeinthesun.co.za
Join the Twitter
conversation using: #veggiesgivingback
