Women launch wines
2006-04-06
THE launch of Women in Wine, with two seductive wines, 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.
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 winelands, 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 Paarlite Beverly Farmer, a founder member and CEO of Women in Wine.
Beverly has been involved with this visionary initiative since its inception. She has a background in journalism, wine and business management as well as community development.
“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 Eden’s Vineyards label has bounced onto the market with a Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2004 and a Chardonnay Chenin Blanc 2005.
In shapely bottles adorned with the symbol of Women in Wine, Eden’s Vineyards wines were blended from grapes harvested in the Paarl region by a winemaking team briefed to produce premium wines “for drinking pleasure”.
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 has a touch of Viognier and 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 at Checkers wine departments countrywide.
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.
About 1000 tavern owners, traditionally women, also have a significant shareholding in Women in Wine.
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.
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