VINHA MARIA CHAVES

Can we make a small revolution with good wine? This question has been answered on the island of Fogo. The project started from an idea of Ottavio Fasano, a Capuchin father, who arrived on the island in 1965: thanks to funds donated by Italian families, he planted 23 hectares of tropical vines in Fogo that produce very rich grapes. He then built a 2,000 square meter winery for the elaboration of the wines. He was able to call on experts who trained local technicians who today work in the vineyard as well as in the winery. The initial production of Vinha Maria Chaves was 65,000 bottles of typical white, rosé and red wine. A small reality, fruit of a great challenge: to produce quality wines at the level of the equator and to develop the agricultural potential of the island of Fogo. This project and the association (ASDE) have trained Cape Verdean partners and all the profits generated by the sales of Vinha Maria Chaves wines will finance initiatives of social utility, such as garden schools in several islands of Cape Verde, the regional hospital of Fogo, the house for young mothers in Santa Cruz, on the island of Santiago. The results prove that poverty can be overcome with the dignity of work, with initial help, and that wealth is found in quality. Its white wine "Santa Luzia" and its red wine Reserve "Pico do Fogo" won two gold medals at the 2018 World Extreme Wine Competition in the Aosta Valley in Italy. A great example of success.