First Supermarket to launch own label Fairtrade Wine!
In 2001 The Co-operative broke new ground by launching the UK’s first fairly-traded supermarket wine, and we haven’t looked back since. At the time there were no internationally agreed criteria for wine to carry the FAIRTRADE Mark, so we worked with Traidcraft the UK’s leading fair trade organisation, to set up a trading relationship with the Los Robles co-operative in Chile.
After the establishment of a criteria for Fairtrade Wine in 2004 The Co-operative began to work with the Du Toitskloof co-operative in South Africa, Helping them to gain Fairtrade accreditation which they achieved in 2005. Shortly after, the co-operative was then able to launch its own range of Fairtrade wine from Du Toitskloof throughout its UK stores.
Today our range of wines carrying the FAIRTRADE Mark comes from all over the world, including Chile, Argentina and South Africa. Each of our Fairtrade wines tells a story; about struggling communities revived and renewed, about schools built, clean water supplied, and hope restored.
So when you’re sipping our velvety Argentine red, enjoying a refreshing glass of our Chilean white, or celebrating with our Fairtrade Sparkling Brut, you can be sure that someone on the other side of the world is benefiting from a better deal that will improve their lives. Isn’t that worth raising a glass to?
South Africa
The Co-operative was the first retailer in the UK to introduce a Fairtrade certified sparkling wine produced by Du Toitskloof wine co-operative. The Du Toitskloof co-operative production supports over 1,200 people, 360 of them children. All employees have their own homes and 85% have running water and electricity, but they still need improvements to their living and working conditions. Money raised from the sales of Fairtrade wine in the UK, has through the Fairhills project, gone towards a range of projects in the local community including a new community centre, childcare facilities and an adult educational programme.
To find out more about Fairtrade projects in South Africa click here.
Argentina - turning wine into water
La Riojana is currently the world’s largest producer of certified organic Fairtrade wines and in 2006 became the first winery in Argentina to receive Fairtrade certification.
As the largest wine co-operative in Argentina, La Riojana assists many smaller communities in the region. Currently just under £600, 000 has been received by La Riojana as a result of the sales of their wines in the Co-operative stores. This revenue was generated equally from the Fairtrade premium and also from additional funding provided by The Co-operative. This funding has provided
A new water facility for the 400 plus inhabitants of Tilimuqui, a small isolated village near Chilecito.
A new secondary school which opened in May 2010 for children aged between 13 and 18 years old living in the Chilecito region, and allowing the children of Tilimuqui a chance to further their education for the first time.
To find out more about La Riojana click here.
We see Fairtrade as a great opportunity that has been presented to us, without it the small-holdings cannot compete, they don't have the size and capacity to compete in the current market. It is necessary to work through a trading organisation but with a relationship which respects the diverse conditions which the small growers have; Fairtrade is a great opportunity to help this happen.
Co-operative member, Chile
Chile - three cheers
Our Fairtrade Chilean range originates from two Chilean wineries: Santa Irene and the Los Robles co-operative. They both lie in the fertile Curico Valley, approximately 200km from the capital, Santiago.
Having gained Fairtrade accreditation at the end of 2008, Santa Irene is helping many local farmers to revolutionise their community’s social and economic conditions. The Fairtrade premium has helped fund improvements in drinking water supplies, heating systems in employees’ houses and supporting local schools.
Continuing our long term relationship with Los Robles we introduced the Co-operative Chilean Sauvignon Blanc Reserva to our range in 2010. As a result of the sales so far the Fairtrade premium has earned the project a whopping £17,265. This premium is being spent on improving the lives of the small holders through supporting healthcare projects, funding education for the small holders and their children and providing new agricultural materials so that the quality of the grapes can be raised.