Step by Step wines are Fair Trade Certified. The prices are fair. There’s community development, and great regard is given to environmental stewardship.
How The Wines Help
The 1,400 families of growers, vineyard and winery workers benefit from the sales of the wines. The community voted unanimously to devote much of their earnings to healthcare and education. Neither is readily available in this part of South America. According to the company’s Website, members have established a fund to assist with 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 health care fund currently has enough for about 400 individuals to access adequate health care.
In order for the community to sustain development, they also made education a priority. There is a joint body – a management committee composed of 80% members and 20% outside advisors -- that has established a scholarship fund for members to apply for financial support to attend a traditional university. Some applicants 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 career path.
Think Before You Drink
In addition to the Step By Step wines, the Organic Wine Trade Company produces Wandering Grape in Chile. The wines are available online from Gary’s Wine. Also, the Etica winery offers its Calesa brand of Fair Trade Chilean wines. The varieties are Carmenere, Syrah, Semillon, Reserva Merlot and Chardonnay. The Calesa wines are available at some Whole Foods markets and at restaurants in Minneapolis and Chicago. The prices range from $10 to $25 a bottle.
Fair Trade wines are not confined to Chile. But if you’re looking for value and a clear conscience, it’s a good place to start.
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