Fairhills Chardonnay - Fair Trade Wine

Embraced by the winds, Kissed by the sea, Guided by the stars

Western Cape, South Africa
Fair Trade Certified™ - Fair Trade Wine

Fairhills is the world’s most well-known fair trade brand being sourced from three fair trade wine countries of origin, Argentina, Chile, and South Africa.  The Fairhills initiative benefits over 1300 beneficiaries in the three different countries and focuses on improving the living and social conditions of these producers. 

Fairhills Chardonnay benefits the local farmers of Du Toitskloof in the Breede River Valley Region and Du Toitskloof Winery of South Africa.  The Fair Trade initiative is dedicated to twenty-two farms and fourteen members to improve the quality of life for over 1,000 community members, including 210 children. The initiative has opened three daycare facilities, built a sports club and a community center with a library, as well as provided adult training and education, and plans on buying their own land that the community will manage.

The Fairhills initiative has created a very successful and financially sustainable brand that benefits the environment and the communities in the underdeveloped regions of South Africa, Argentina and Chile.  “To my knowledge, the Fairhills project is one of the largest and most successful Fairtrade projects in the world.  In my experience it certainly ranks as one of the largest and highest impact Fairtrade projects in Africa and Argentina and definitely the largest in wine.  The project is a model example of what Fairtrade can achieve,” according to Flo-Cert. 

Fairhills Chardonnay pairs well with shellfish, chicken or simply on its own.

Tasting Notes

Fairhills Chardonnay offers bright citrus tones on the nose and sophisticated hints of vanilla and subtle oak.  Perfectly balanced, offering crisp acidity and lively stone fruit characters.

Vineyards

Fairhills Chardonnay is produced with handpicked Fair Trade Certified™ grapes sourced from the heart of South Africa on the Western Cape.  The grapes are grown on vines 10+ years in age in a soil composed of Hutton and clay.  The region has both coastal and mountain influences and soil in this area is a mix of sandstone and granite with marl, making for an ideal terroir.  The climate is cold winters and very hot summers, but the altitude creates a moderate climate.

Reviews

88 Points (Highly Recommended) - 2008 Fairhills Chardonnay

"Aromas of stewed and caramelized apples and pears, olive pit, and piña colada yogurt have a matchstick edge and follow on a round, supple entry to an oily, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body with golden plum and minerals in support.  Finishes with a tart, citrus and nut fade.."

Silver Medal in the World Wine Championships from The Beverage Testing Institute

Wine of the Week: Chardonnay

"2008 Fairhills Chardonnay: This is a bright, punch-y kind of wine with a floral nose, acidic structure and a lime finish...as a bonus, the Chardonnay is Fair Trade Certified."

Slash Food, January 8, 2010 by Kristine Hansen

Wine Wed! Fairhills Chardonnay, Western Cape, South Africa 2007

"I went home last night and opened a bottle of Fairhills white wine and I must say...I was blown away."

HeatherKind.blogspot.com , August 26, 2009