Producer Profiles
Du Toitskloof Cooperative
Du Toitskloof Wines was established by six wine farmers as a cooperative in 1962. Today, it has an estimated 22 members, many of them second-generation descendants of the founders. They live in a close-knit community within a 10 kilometers radius from the cellar and take much pride and interest in their work.
In April 2005, Du Toitskloof Wines joined forces with Origin Wine to collectively work on improving workers’ and families’ standards of life. Du Toitskloof’s farms became Fair Trade Certified™ in September this same year, and a Joint Body was formed consisting of forty farm workers, two farm owner representatives and one exporter representative. The collaboration was registered nationally as a legal entity and was named the Fairhills Association. Du Toitskloof is funded by the sales of their quarter-ownership of the Fairhills Wine brand and the Fair Trade premium.
Du Toitskloof has the capacity to make fifteen million liters of wine, which allows the Fairhills Wine brand ample room to grow. In 2005 alone, 1.2 million liters were exported to the UK under the Fair Trade logo, with an estimated 10 million liters of certified Fair Trade wine available at this moment.
The ultimate goal of the Fairhills Association is to purchase and cultivate its own farmland and become entirely self-sustainable. They also plan to turn parts of their land into an eco-tourism haven.
Quotable
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Fairhills and Fair Trade has brought us from a point whereby we, as the next generation of our country, had no ambition, motivation or direction in life, to a situation whereby we are shaping our own futures and creating opportunities our parents were not able to experience. ” Group of Fairhills Students
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With the assistance and guidance of our contributors, we as a community can move mountains in improving the conditions of our community and shaping the future for the next generation of the Fairhills Community. ” Cynthia Pieterson
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In 2008, I received a bursary from Fairhills which enabled me to further my studies in Nursing. ” Shelton Elbrink
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Programs
Primary and Secondary Education Scholarships
In 2009, with the help of scholarship funds from the Fairhills Association, seven students were able to enroll in tertiary education facilities to continue their studies. In 2010, a total of 11 students were awarded participation in the bursary program.
A Women's Social Club
Women members established a social club that gathers once a month and organizes speakers to discuss female needs of the organization and community.
Health Program for Environmental Workers
The Fairhills Association initiated training for environmental coordinators, including tips on health and safety. First-Aid practices were taught in this program.