Banrock station buzzing with bee scheme

Banrock Station is doing its bit for Britain’s bees by launching a range of three special-edition wines, money from which will go towards helping preserve the UK’s bee population.

The initiative is part of The Co-operative’s Plan Bee campaign, which is reacting to the fact bee numbers in the UK have halved over the past 20 years.

Available now exclusively at The Co-operative, every bottle of Banrock Station Shiraz Rosé, Semillon Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon will feature a limited-edition label and neck collar highlighting the Plan Bee association to help drive awareness and sales.

Five pence from each bottle sold will be donated to the campaign, which has a fundraising target of £45,000 to help fund projects throughout the UK.

Clare Griffiths, vice president marketing at Constellation Europe, said: “Banrock Station is delighted to be supporting The Co-operative’s Plan Bee campaign as the latest in a long line of international environmental projects.

“The creation of the special-edition bottles highlighting Plan Bee will appeal to consumers who want to enjoy great quality wine while giving something back to the earth.”

Bees contribute £200 million a year to the UK economy through pollination of crops such as asparagus, cherries, tea, chives and carrots.

Nobody is quite sure what is behind the dramatic decline in bee numbers in Britain, with possible explanations ranging from habitat destruction and bad weather to pesticides, viruses and mites.

Alan Lodge, 18.08.2010