Update: Status of Chilean Fair Trade Producers Becomes Clearer

Nearly a week has passed since Chile was struck by one of the largest earthquakes ever recorded, and the scene on the ground remains unsettled. Although the death toll was revised today and dropped steeply, aftershocks continue to rock the country along with accusations of an inept government response to the tragedy.

The Chilean wine regions were some of the hardest hit areas of the country. We’ve received information on the status of ten of the Fair Trade Certified vineyards in Chile, and although it remains difficult to contact the affected areas and information has been slow coming in, we have preliminary testimonials about the well being of the producers.

We are devastated to report that the Sociedad Vitivinicola Sagrada Familia in Curicó suffered the tragic loss of six of their producers. Four homes were destroyed and there has been significant damage to production facilities. Our hearts go out to our colleague, vineyard manager Raul Navarrete, and the family and friends of the deceased in this terrible time. Raul’s vineyards just recently achieved Fair Trade certification and he has been hard at work developing relationships with importers and retailers to sell the vineyard’s wines in the United States...

[Continue reading this article at the Fair Trade Certified Blog]