Step by Step - Fair Trade Certified™ Wine

Step by Step, we all can make a difference

Step by Step is sourced from a cooperative farming community in the southern part of the Maule Valley in Chile.  The small family farmers of Chile are increasingly susceptible to the low market prices of their grapes as the world demand increases.  The prices they receive for their grapes do not generate enough income to meet the basic needs of the family.  As a result, the opportunity to invest in improving their farms and vineyards are threatened and many are at risk of having to sell their property. 

Step by Step, we all can make a difference to improve the quality of life for vineyard workers, their families and their communities through Fair Trade Wine.  The Fair Trade Certified™ directly supports a better life for farming families in the developing world through fair prices, community development and environmental stewardship.

In total, approximately 1,400 small family growers, vineyard and winery workers and their immediate family will benefit from the fair trade wine sales of Step by Step.  The beneficiaries have unanimously voted on addressing two main social issues, healthcare and education.

As with many vineyards and wineries in the global south, access to healthcare is a major issue.  Many of the vineyards are in rural areas with little to no healthcare available.  The members have established a fund to assist members and their families with their medical needs.  The fund will assist with hospitalization, medicine, motherhood, psychiatric care, dental, vision and hearing, as well as house calls if needed for those who cannot travel.

The healthcare fund currently has enough for about 400 individuals to access adequate healthcare.  Double up Fair Trade is the commitment to improve the healthcare for all the members and their immediate families.  For more information about Double up Fair Trade, please click here.

To achieve sustainable development for their communities, the members believe the primary way is with education.  The joint body, a management committee composed of 80% members and 20% outside advisors, has established a scholarship fund for members to apply for financial support to attend a traditional university and may qualify for a specialized university depending on test results.  All qualifying applicants many not repeat any year and must maintain a minimum grade point, report to a registered social worker, and all topics must relate to their chosen carrier path.

The small family vineyards have been producing grapes with amazingly rich and full flavors with excellent balance and distinction for years.  However many of the vineyards do not have the skills or means necessary to develop their own wineries or brands.  Through fair trade wine, Step by Step is able to showcase the excellent purity and terroir from their grapes and assist each grower to develop their business skills and to achieve sustainability.  With every glass of Step by Step you can directly help the grower, their community and the environment. Step by Step, we all can make a difference.