Kleine Zalze to launch wine range to celebrate its new Fairtrade status

By Richard Siddle

Published: 14 March, 2014

Kleine Zalze, the South African producer, has been accredited with Fairtrade status for its wine production.

The news comes not only during the Fairtade Foundation's Fairtade Fortnight in the UK, but also coincides with Fairtade Week taking place in South Africa.

"This is a significant occasion for us," said Kleine Zalze managing director, Kobus Basson. "It is testament to the hard work by departments across Kleine Zalze, from administration to viticulture that embarked on the road to accreditation almost two years ago."

Kleine Zalze is to mark the accreditation by launching a range of Fairtade wines from its 2014 vintage which will directly benefit its permanent and seasonal workers. A portion of the price paid for every bottle of Kleine Zalze Fairtrade wine will go into a fund to be used to help its workers.

The fund will be managed by a special committee, including workers, which will decide how the money is used.

Fairtrade projects thoughout South Africa have helped raise R190 billion through the Fairtrade Development Premium.

To receive Fairtade status Kleine Zalze had to demonstrate its operations right through the busines down to its farming practices and cellar operations were up to the necessary standard.

"We've always had 'Fairtrade hearts' and taken the view that to be a successful producer in a sustainable way in South Africa a company has to be inclusive and operate in an ethical way," said Basson. "It was especially gratifying for us to discover that many of the processes required by Fairtrade were already in operation on the farm long before we even looked into applying for accreditation."Kleine Zalze, the South African producer, has been accredited with Fairtrade status for its wine production.

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