Opvallend nieuws uit Zuid Afrika. Daar gaan 20 zwarte vrouwen samen wijn produceren. Dat meldt South African Wine News.
De eerste wijnen worden verkocht als Eden’s Vineyard. Toepasselijk…
The launch of Women in Wine gives a large number of women a stake in the SA wine industry
Women in Wine is the first wine producing company owned, controlled and managed by women. It opens the portals, for the first time, to a large number of women to participate in the economic fruits of the South African wine industry.
Women in Wine was formed by a group of 20 professional black women from different backgrounds who share not only a link to the Cape wine lands but also the dream of giving women, especially farm workers and their families, a share in the industry.
"To date women have made a significant contribution to the Cape’s wine industry without receiving recognition or benefiting from the industry’s business opportunities," says Beverly Farmer, a founder member and CEO of Women in Wine (Pty) Limited. "In order to achieve our vision of contributing to the transformation of the South African wine industry we have had to come up with creative solutions that break with traditional perceptions that to produce excellent wines you have to have land, vineyards, cellars and a big company for exports," she says.
Instead, Women in Wine optimises the intellectual values of partnership and excellence. "Without access to the huge amount of capital needed to go the traditional route, we are establishing sound relationships with strategic partners among quality suppliers to help us achieve our objectives," says Beverly.
One such partnership is with Boland Kelder which is Women in Wine’s leading wine supplier. Their product development team, with well-known international wine makers on the panel, made Women in Wine’s first two Eden’s Vineyards wines to their specifications. "We briefed them to over-deliver on price since the Eden’s Vineyards wine label is the company’s major asset and we are establishing a reputation for volume premium wines," explains Beverly. The first wines to appear under the Eden’s Vineyards label are:
Eden’s Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2004 combines new world drinkability with old world complexity. Dark red and fragrant in the glass, it is alluring served on its own or as a complement to South Africa’s flavoursome traditional dishes.
The Eden’s Vineyards Chardonnay Chenin Blanc 2005 with a touch of Viognier has a dry and fruity freshness that lingers with a buttery aftertaste. Unwooded, it is luscious served chilled and adds a celebratory touch to fish and poultry dishes.
Both wines are available in the Wine Route of Checkers and Checkers Hyper stores countrywide at R32 a bottle. Checkers is the company’s first retail customer no doubt because of its track record in acknowledging women’s achievements through the Shoprite Checkers/SABC2 Woman of the Year Awards.
Brian Weyers, Marketing Director of Shoprite Checkers says: "We are delighted to be part of a pioneering initiative which acknowledges and rewards a significant number of women working on farms by including them as shareholders. The initiative also ties in strongly with the supermarket group’s support for broad based black economic empowerment programmes"
Shareholding in Women in Wine benefits a large number of women.
Around 500 women working on farms will have a shareholding through their Farmworkers Women in Wine Trust. "While trusts have been previously used in the establishment of wine land community development projects, this is the first time that participating women will be issued with shareholder certificates," Beverly says.
Delilah Cupido, the board representative of the Farmworkers Women in Wine Trust, says that the idea of a trust was a new one to most. "At first we didn’t understand the implications. Now we realize that it protects us and benefit us all economically," she says.
A thousand tavern owners, traditionally women, also have a significant shareholding in Women in Wine. Fanny Mokoena, President of the National Tourism and Hospitality Association representing shebeeners and taverners, says: "After so many years of struggles, it is good to see recognition and economic benefits for women who labour in the wine and spirits business."
Community upliftment
The Farmworkers Women in Wine Trust focuses on skills development and training of farm worker women. Through its members it also undertakes upliftment projects among farm worker communities to improve the quality of life of women and children on farms and to foster the responsible consumption of wine.
Lees ook:In Zuid Afrika moet 30% van het land zwart worden
Lees ook:Wijn voor vrouwen
Lees ook:Eerste proeverij met alleen vrouwen in de jury
Lees ook:Zuid afrikaanse wijn voor zwarten, KWV
Lees ook:Your Wine App for Winetourism in France