Place in the Sun, a new range of big-hearted, easy-drinking wines with bold varietal flavours, hopes to accelerate community upliftment amongst farm workers following its recent global launch.
The Fairtrade-accredited range of one white and three reds is produced from grapes sourced from Cape vineyards that have been certified by FLO-CERT under the Fair Label Organisation (FLO) Standards that forms part of Fairtrade. Growers are paid a premium for their fruit that is directed towards social development of the wine-farm workers, who decide on how the funds are to be spent.Says Deon Boshoff, head of the winemaking team behind Place in the Sun wines: “The initiative is based on trade rather than aid, and is intended to make a material difference to the workers involved.
“Boshoff, who is himself the son of farm workers, grew up on an apple farm in Elgin. He was able to study winemaking with the help of a bursary available to the children of farm workers.Now 32, he has been making wines since the age of 22. He was appointed to his present position as cellarmaster in 2010. At Adam Tas cellars in Stellenbosch, he oversees the production not just of Place in the Sun wines but also many other labels, including Zonnebloem, one of South Africa’s best-known and longest-established brands.
He says playing a part in improving the quality of life of wine-farm workers through his involvement in Place in the Sun wines, has a special significance not just for him but for many of those in the cellar team. “We have put our hearts into these wines. We like to believe you can taste it in every one of them.”When the people who are growing and harvesting the grapes know they are a valued and integral part of winemaking, they take extra care and it shows in the quality of the grapes. At our cellars, we try to capture that sense of care by letting the fruit characters come through just as they are. It’s our way of honouring their role.
“All four wines are styled to be refreshing and approachable, he says. “The Sauvignon Blanc is crisp and tangy with aromas of passion fruit and a piquant palate with hints of pineapple. The reds are soft-textured with supple tannins.
“He describes the 2010 Shiraz as a full-bodied, fruity wine with notes of berry and spice, while the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon is redolent of juicy red and black berries and the 2010 Merlot, he says, is “bursting with sun-ripened red berry and plum characters”.
The wines are available nationally. The Sauvignon blanc is expected to retail for around R35 and all the reds for around R45. Queries: Deaon Boshoff, Place In The Sun (021) 809 7367 or 083 363 0655