Press Release – First wines to carry South Africa’s new, fully traceable, ethical seal
First wines awarded new ethical seal
The first wines to carry South Africa’s new, fully traceable, ethical seal are to be showcased at Cape Wine 2012, which takes place in Cape Town later this month.
Following an announcement by the Wine and Agricultural Industry Ethical Trade Association (WIETA), 26 wines from Fairview, Robertson Winery, Distell, Durbanville Hills and Spier have all been granted permission to use the seal on specific bottles of wine.
Awarding the ethical seal to individual wines, rather than the winery, enables producers to source grapes from a number of different vineyards and still use the seal. As Wines of South Africa CEO, Su Birch, explains “As compliance has to be fully traceable across the entire production chain, every wine submitted has to be individually audited.”
In a legally binding agreement with WIETA, producers that have been awarded the seal will be able to use it for one year. The producer will then be required to renew the agreement annually for the subsequent vintages.
This new ethical seal testifies that producers have adhered to the WIETA code which is based on the ‘International Labour Conventions’ Ethical Trading Initiative and South African labour legislation. This code prohibits the use of child labour, and ensures that employment is freely chosen with all employees working within a healthy and safe environment. The code also states that workers should have the right to freedom of association, a living wage and to be protected from unfair discrimination. Worker housing and tenure security rights should also be respected.
In order to carry the seal, WIETA CEO, Linda Lipparoni explained “Brand owners have to identify all their suppliers. At least 60% of these suppliers had to be WIETA accredited, with the other 40% able to demonstrate that they were preparing themselves for accreditation within a year”
Commenting on the first wines to receive the seal, Birch said “They are the trailblazers who are setting an important precedent for the industry in its efforts to fast-track the implementation of fair labour practices on wine farms and in cellars”.
This ethical seal is modeled on South Africa’s Sustainability seal which has been developed to promote awareness of production integrity throughout the entire supply chain. It is seen as a parallel effort to the Fair Trade and Fair for Life accreditations, highlighting the priority South African producers give to implementing fair working conditions throughout the industry.
WIETA is involved in an extensive producer training programme to assist the major brands in achieving accreditation for their 2013 vintage. It is hoped that all South African producers will be accredited with the new seal by 2015.
WIETA will be on stand B13 at Cape Wine which takes place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre on 25th – 27th September 2012. Further information on Cape Wine can be found at www.capewine2012.co.za
The following wines have been approved to carry the Ethical Seal
Robertson Winery
- Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
- Chardonnay 2012
- Chenin Blanc 2012
- Merlot 2012
- Pinotage 2011
- Shiraz 2011
Distell
Place in the Sun
- Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
- Shiraz 2011
- Tukulu Syrah unwooded 2009
- Tukulu Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
- Tukulu Pinotage 2010
- Tukulu Chenin Blanc 2012
Spier
- Frieda’s wine Shiraz Mouverdre 2010
- Frieda’s Vine Chenin Blanc 2012
Fairview
Fairview
- Fairview Chenin Blanc 2012
- Fairview Durif 2010
- Fairview Nurok 2011
- Fairview Shiraz 2010
La Capra
- La Capra Chenin Blanc 2012
- La Capra Malbec 2011
- Spice Route Sauvignon Blanc 2012
- Spice Route Chenin Blanc 2012
- Spice Route Mourvedre 2009
- Leeuwenjacht Leeuwenblanc 2012
Durbanville Hills
- Sauvignon Blanc 2012
- Rhinofields Pinotage 2011
Courtesy of
Claudia Brown
Wines of South Africa
020 8405 6442
Claudia@winesofsa.com
Related articles
- Mike Matthews: Behind the scenes at “Braaiday” at High Timber (magicsnewbiewines.com)
- Fairtrade or WIETA? (blogs.timeslive.co.za)
- Ken Forrester Vineyards Appoints Cape Classics as Sole USA Importer (prweb.com)
- Wines of The Times: South African Chenin Blancs Aren’t What They Used to Be – Wines of The Times (nytimes.com)
- South African Wine Tips (winebookclub.org)
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