Stellar Winery is situated 275 km north of Cape Town in a semi-arid area of South Africa on the road to Namibia. In these extreme conditions the company produces a range of wines that are not only fresh and modern in style but also organic and Fairtrade. The organic strictures ensure that no chemicals, pesticides or herbicides are used in the vineyards and permitted levels of sulphur dioxide and other chemicals are half those of non-organic wines. This reduction in chemical use is achievable largely thanks to force cooling of the grapes to 0°c during crushing and maceration, which inhibits yeast and bacterial activity. Fairtrade accreditation insists on a duty of care towards the vineyard and winery staff, including transportation to and from work, family health care, free housing, electricity and water and subsidised schooling and child-care facilities. A percentage of the wholesale price of the wine is paid directly back to the Stellar Fairtrade Workers' Trust.