Laithwaites supports Chilean wine industry

Laithwaites has pledged its support for the quake-hit Chilean wine industry.

The UK wine merchant plans to donate 5% of its sales on all of its 70 Chilean wines throughout March in the wake of the devastation wrought by the earthquake which struck the South American country in February.

Tony Laithwaite said: “Several of our Chilean wine producers – really good friends who we’ve been working with for years – have been hit hard by the recent earthquake.

“We’ve managed to contact most of them this week and they’ve told us that the damage to the wineries is, on the whole, not too severe. But with so much precious wine lost, many are concerned that trade might drop away with customers hanging back.”

The money raised will be sent to the Chilean Embassy earthquake appeal. The goal is to provide what funds they can to help rebuild the country’s infrastructure and support the company’s suppliers and colleagues in the Chilean wine industry.

Laithwaite continued: “As a company, we want to support our producers, their families and the families of their employees at this difficult time by encouraging our own customers to choose Chilean wines when they make their normal orders his month.

“We’re really saying to people – you might be buying wine anyway now, so why not make it Chilean and give much needed help at the same time.”

The Chilean embassy is also seeking support through the launch of its own Chilean Earthquake Appeal. Should anyone wish to make a donation, please send them to:

Chilean Earthquake Appeal
BBVA Bank
142 Brompton Road
London
SW3 1HY
 
Account Nº 01010982
Sort Code:  23-47-36
(if needed) IBAN: GB46BBVA23473601010982

Rupert Millar, 08.03.2010