Workers shine with own wine
2006-08-31
WELL-KNOWN local wine personality and owner of Fairview Wine and Cheese Estate outside Paarl, Charles Back, has become renowned locally for going the extra mile to empower Fairview employees.
His groundbreaking initiatives go back as far as 1997, when he founded the Fairvalley Workers Association with the support of the South African Government.
The initiative commenced with the purchase of a 16-hectare property adjacent to Fairview that was set aside to raise funds through the production and marketing of a range of wines.
This would enable the longer serving members of the Fairview workforce to build and take ownership of their own homes.
The association was structured to also allow the pursuit of secondary economic activities. The maiden vintage Fairvalley Chenin Blanc was produced in 1998 and the entire first release was enthusiastically purchased by a high profile UK wine retailer, which immediately put Fairvalley wines on track.
Winemaker Awie Adolf was allocated specific cellar space at Fairview for the production of Fairvalley wines, but planning is currently underway for the construction of a cellar at Fairvalley.
The success of the maiden Fairvalley vintage in 1998 was followed by the release of a 2001 Pinotage and a 2003 Sauvignon Blanc.
Future product expansion might include the addition of a Cabernet Sauvignon to the Fairvalley range.
Funds generated from wine sales revert back to the association in order to build more houses on the Fairvalley land.
The first phase of building was completed in 2002 with eight houses being built. The excitement of families taking ownership of their new homes has added further impetus to the Fairview empowerment initiative.
The Fairvalley Workers Association has further plans for entrepreneurial endeavours and also operates a cheese packaging business where small portion platters of Fairview’s gourmet cheeses are being packed.
According to Charles Back, the response from his employees has been truly rewarding and inspirational.
“People have embraced the initiative whole-heartedly and it is obvious that it has grown beyond the direct financial and economic gains.
“This project has facilitated training and development that will continue to benefit this community and especially the youngsters of Fairvalley,” mentions Back.
Fairvalley currently exports wine to the USA, UK, Denmark and Japan.
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