La Riojana is a farmer-owned co-op in northwest Argentina that has over 500 members, most of whom are small-scale grape farmers with less than seven acres of vineyards. We began carrying Riojana wines last year after working with the co-op to establish a direct co-op to co-op supply chain, which enables us to offer high-quality wine at a great price and still pay a fair trade premium to the winery and the grape growers.
Partnership Benefits Us All
- Riojana wine is such a good value because we order directly from the producer, which reduces cost by 30%.
- Most of the members of the co-op farm organically, but not all are certified. Part of the fair trade premium is helping the farmers obtain organic certification.
- Although La Riojana Winery Co-op sells a lot of wine in Europe, it faced significant obstacles breaking into the US market. Weaver Street Market has been instrumental in connecting La Riojana Winery Co-op with co-ops across the United States. The wine is currently sold at 50 US co-ops.
A one-dollar per case fair trade premium is included in the wine’s price to help fund La Riojana’s community programs. So when you purchase a Riojana wine, you not only get a great product at a great price, you also know your purchase goes to support a small producer co-op making a big difference.
La Riojana’s Community Projects Improve Lives
La Rioja province is remote and historically a poor area of Argentina. Since receiving fair trade certification in 2006, La Riojana has invested more than $11 million Argentinean pesos in the province for over 30 projects that greatly improve living conditions, including
- Building the first secondary school in the La Rioja Province, which prepares students for careers as agricultural technicians.
- Replacing old, erratic wells with a new water system that provides the town of Tilimuqui with access to regular, clean water.
- Building a new health clinic that will offer out-patient services and general medical care, as well as maternity care.
- Creating a sustainable village with solar power and organic farms.
Riojana wines are on sale this weekend for $5.99 per bottle (save $3). The weekend deal is available Friday through Sunday.
Watch a video interview with Walter from La Riojana here.