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Contributing to the Vineyards of Argentina

Witnessing the initiatives a flourishing winery takes to aid its employees and bolster the local populace can be truly inspiring.

Supporting the Local Economy in Argentina's Vineyard Region
Supporting the Local Economy in Argentina's Vineyard Region

Contributing to the Vineyards of Argentina

In the heart of Mendoza, Argentina, the Santa Julia Winery, owned by the Zuccardi family, has been making waves for over a decade with its innovative community outreach programs. The winery, renowned for its commitment to social responsibility, places a strong emphasis on education as a means to achieve true equality and provide real opportunities.

Julia Zuccardi, one of the family owners, oversees these outreach programs. They include educational and sewing lessons for adults, daycare for children, and even a summer school program. The daycare center caters to over 80 children, aged from a month and a half to 12 years old.

The daycare center offers more than just regular care. It provides educational services throughout the year, with a focus on activities that are different from those in regular schools. The main objective is to care for the children while their parents work. Some of the children from the daycare center work for the winery's warehouse, while others have external clients.

In 2008, Julia Zuccardi's grandmother, Emma, spearheaded the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project, which led to the inauguration of a gym for employees and the consideration of educational projects. Since then, Julia has taken the lead, ensuring the programs' continued success.

The daycare center prioritizes enrolling children of employees who work at the company, maintaining a ratio of 60 percent children of workers and 40 percent children from the local community. The winery's philosophy is to improve not only the quality of life and well-being of their employees, but also of the local community.

The daycare center's programs have expanded over the years to include printing and embroidery, among other things. They also offer a program to facilitate the reintegration of women working after they have had a child, allowing them to return to work in stages and continue with their professional and personal development.

While there is no concrete evidence of other Mendoza wineries or industries directly replicating Santa Julia Winery's community outreach programs, the winery has undoubtedly set a precedent for community engagement in the region. Mendoza's wine industry, known for its sustainability and community efforts, continues to thrive, with wineries like Bodega Altavista, Bodega Trivento, and others making their mark. However, the specific relationship between these wineries and Santa Julia's outreach remains unreported.

Despite this, there is no doubt that the Santa Julia Winery's outreach programs have inspired similar services in other wineries and industries in Mendoza. By valuing the land and the people living on it, the Zuccardi family has created a legacy that continues to make a positive impact on the community.

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