The wine industry in the Western Cape has been actively engaged in conservation activities to not only preserve the natural environment and resources that are vital to the production of world-renowned wines but also to uplift and support the farming communities. From sustainable farming practices to transforming lives, the industry has been taking significant steps to reduce its environmental impact and ensure a sustainable future for the region's vineyards and people.
Here are some feel good social stories to pay attention to when choosing to support the wonderful efforts of these wineries and organisations.
1. Pebbles' education project at Hemel-en-Aarde
The Pebbles Project's Hemel-en-Aarde Education Project was established in January 2017 and aims to ensure that the children and families living in and around the valley have access to high standard of education, health, social and recreational services – particularly focusing on the less-accessible Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge region.
The Pebbles Project also provides a free clinic which is stationed at Villiera and available to all who need it in the winelands. Their mission is to enable children and young adults from agricultural communities to reach their full potential through education, health and nutrition services.
2. HER Wine's education bursary
The all-female team at HER Wine in Paarl is certainly an inspiring bunch of strong, like-minded, caring women who encourage and enable others to nurture their community. Their own personal journeys, challenges in their careers, and understanding the struggles of those just starting out have led them to pledge to contribute 2% of all HER Wine proceeds which goes towards a bursary that provides opportunities to students from the farm working community. We absolutely love this!
3. Community feeding initiative by Carmen Stevens Wines
Carmen Stevens graduated as the first Black South African to study the art of wine-making and registered the very first 100% black-owned winery in South Africa in the beautiful Stellenbosch valley. Besides these meritorious achievements, Carmen started an NPO that today provides 25 000 underprivileged learners from 125 schools in the Western Cape with a nutritious breakfast and lunch, as a huge percentage of school learners go without food most days.
With this wonderful feeding scheme, these kids are happy, focused and fed wholesome meals!
4. Kunye's scholarship fund
Another inspirational #SocialStory is that of Kunye, The Wine Wise, a non-profit wine brand that aims to educate and empower as they aim for a more inclusive and diverse wine landscape. All profits generated from the Kunye wine sales will be put into a scholarship fund to help people from previously disadvantaged backgrounds in South Africa to further their knowledge in any aspect of wine education.
Read more about the amazing initiative HERE and join the club of like-minded individuals who are making a difference.
You can also grab a bottle of their Kunye Chenin Blanc and Syrah from the Darling Wine Shop to support the scholarship.
5. The Thunderchild project
Another wonderful example of community collaboration and a vision to transform lives, the Thunderchild wine brand was created in aid of the children at the Die Herberg orphanage in Robertson where 100% of all proceeds go to the children. Every purchase of their wine, made by the team at Springfield Estate (free of charge), contributes to the orphanage's school fees and other educational needs. Some activities sponsored by the Thunderchild initiative include driving lessons, attending sports tournaments, musical training, and further education after matric.
For more information on how you can help make a difference, visit www.thunderchild.co.za.
This article was originally published on WoSA's blog, Cape Chatter.
There are plenty of good news stories about upliftment and transformation in the South African wine industry. The #wineforgood website, launched by wine.co.za in June 2016, hosts all the positive stories from the winelands, of which there are plenty. wine.co.za has made April a focus for #wineforgood stories. Share them far and wide and spread the good news about South African wine. If you'd like to submit a story, please email editor@wine.co.za.