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South African winery Spier Farm Wine has revealed its plans to join the Freixenet Copestick portfolio from July of this year. As one of the oldest and the biggest South African brands to join them, Spier wine is set to be distributed across the Freixenet Copestick group of companies.
Spier Wine Farm’s wine making legacy reportedly dates back to 1692 and uses high-density grazing and organic compost in its wine making process, while its use of home-sourced vegetables and meat at their restaurants are said to enhance self-sufficiency and reduce carbon emissions.
In addition, Spier is also known to invest in initiatives that empower communities and environmental change, such as Growing For Good as part of its sustainable approach to business.
The winery is also involved with a youth development programme, the Pinotage Youth Development Academy, which reportedly seeks to educate and employ disadvantaged youth, providing practical work experience. With the Wildlands Conservation Trust, they launched Tree-preneurs in 2009, which encourages environmental consciousness and teaches residents of some of the Western Cape’s most impoverished communities to care for indigenous plants which.
Frans Smit, managing director of Spier Wine Farm, said: “Spier’s strategic partnership with Freixenet Copestick brings the opportunity to grow our footprint through their extensive network, including specialist on-trade supplier Jascots and DTC e-com merchant Slurp.
“As the main South African group supplier in the Freixenet Copestick portfolio, Spier offers old world wine styles with new world innovation. Our common goal – delivering outstanding quality products in a sustainable manner – makes this partnership the perfect fit for us.”
Rob Hilton, head of operations at Freixenet Copestick, added: “We are delighted to enter into this new partnership with Spier Wine Farm. The South African wine industry has gone through a tough time of late. However, recognition of the quality of wines being produced continues to grow on the world stage, exemplified by established producers like Spier.
“Not only are they producing exceptional wines at all quality levels but their core values of being good to the land and being good to the people resonate strongly with Freixenet Copestick values. We look forward to bringing their wines to a wider audience in the UK.”
