|
|
Farm description
Interview
Quality
Photos
|
|
Viña de la Solidaridad is an association of small wine-grape producers in Mendoza province, in the northwest of Argentina. Mendoza sits at a latitude of 33 degrees south and some 900 meters above see level. Lying at the foot of the Andes, it is Argentina’s largest and most important wine region. The climate is hot and dry with an average of 330 days of sun and just eight inches of rain annually. The lush vineyards, harvested from February to mid-April, are irrigated by fresh crystal waters running off from the Andes. The sandy and alluvial soil presents perfect conditions for wine grapes. Mendoza is particularly famous for its Malbec grape, which is the main grape used for its red wines.
Viña de la Solidaridad was formed in the year 2005 to improve the social and economic conditions of small wine-grape producers. The association owns a total of 80 hectares with one third being certified organic. Viña de la Solidaridad will be Fairtrade certified in 2007.
|
Viña de la Solidaridad consists of 19 members of which are 10 landowners and 9 Contratistas. “Contratistas,” are a historic work force that emigrated from Italy in the 1850s. Most of these people lived in the Toscana area and were skilled wine grape farmers. When they immigrated to Argentina they were looking for ideal soil and climate conditions to grow wine grapes. They found such surroundings in Mendoza where they introduced the art of winemaking. The contratistas do not own land but their income is based on a percentage of the harvest.
Over the years the working relationship between the landowner and the contratista has progressively grown to a self-aid partnership; both need each other in order to combat the increasing pressure from big wineries and foreign investors.
In Argentina small wineries and producers are being squeezed out by their much larger competitors that do not have the unique arrangements with contratistas. They employ laborers in the truest sense of the word: wage-only employees with little benefits who do not share in the risk or the benefit of the harvest as the contratistas do in partnership with the small landowners. The fairtrade system will not only allow this unique relationship to continue, it will enhance the status of the contratistas.
The goal of Viña de la Solidaridad is not only to allow this unique relationship to continue, but also to enhance the status of the contratistas and to provide a better future for their members and families.
The association wants to continue growing high quality grapes for the production of excellent wines. Supporting the vineyards currently under organic cultivation and converting the remainder to organic production is also an integral goal of the association.
www.solunawines.com
|