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Stellenrust, South Africa's top Fairtrade wine estate, joins forces with Bibendum - 08/10/2010

Bibendum has extended its commitment to Fairtrade wines by joining forces with South African producer Stellenrust.

Stellenrust are the largest Fairtrade grape growers in South Africa and all the wines Bibendum are importing use only estate grown fruit. The range includes Stellenrust's premium wines that show that outstanding quality and fairness are not mutually exclusive.

Established in 1928, the Stellenrust estate comprises 400ha of which 200 are planted with vines. The estates is split between Stellenbosch's Golden Triangle with its red-wine loving red soils and the cooler Bottelary Hills which is perfect for growing white grape varieties.

In 2005 Stellenrust launched one of the biggest Black Economic Empowerment projects in the South African wine industry. Over 70 workers who are resident on the farm are now majority shareholders in over 100ha of the Stellenrust estate, an initiative that has been hailed as a great success by the workers, the Boschoff family and the Fairtrade organisation.

In the words of Tertius Boschoff, winemaker and co-owner of Stellenrust: "These are the men and women we grew up with, we played together when we were young and now we work together towards the same dream and goal."

Bibendum Director of Buying, Iain Muggoch, said: "I spent a long time researching and selecting the perfect South African Fairtrade partner for Bibendum and feel extremely confident that in Stellenrust all our aims have been met. Their energy and professionalism is refreshing to work with and their passion for their wines and for their Fairtrade partners is inspirational."

Bibendum's commitment to ethical trading is further underlined by the fact Muggoch has joined the wine committee of the UK Fairtrade organisation to ensure Bibendum is at the heart of ethical wine trading in this country. This development follows on from Bibendum winning the Corporate Social Responsibility Award at the 2010 International Wine Challenge and being named UK Green Company of the Year at the 2010 Drinks Business Green Awards, and further emphasises Bibendum's commitment to the environment and responsible trading.

Tertius Boschoff commented: "We were delighted when Bibendum approached us, not just because we are excited about selling our wines in the UK but because we are doing so in partnership with a company which shares our values of matching high quality wine to fair and ethical trading. It couldn't be a better fit for us."

Bibendum is importing two distinct ranges from Stellenrust. The Kleine Rust range comprises a Pinotage Rose, a Chenin/Sauvignon blend and a Pinotage/Cabernet/Shiraz/Merlot blend

The premium Stellenrust range includes a varietal Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinotage, Simplicity Merlot/Shiraz/Cabernet and the star of the show, the barrel fermented 45 Chenin Blanc.

Both the 45 Chenin Blanc and Simplicity red were on show at Bibendum's Harvest Festival in September and were big hits with attendees