African Dawn Wines has been the first wine company in the world making use of FSC certified corks and labels. This would not have been possible without our cork producer Amorim. In order to explain the advantages of FSC corks and the uniqueness of Amorim, the highlights from the 2009 Sustainability report will be discussed.

Amorim is responsible for 30% of world cork manufacturing. The company is world leader in the production and supply of cork stoppers with an average annual production of three billion units. Besides cork stoppers Amorim also produces cork floor and wall coverings, cork composites and insulation cork. As Amorim explains in their Sustainability report, the environmental importance of cork and cork oak forests is more and more recognized worldwide as it preserves biodiversity, retains CO2 and combats desertification. The cork stopper is a product of nature and undergoes an environmentally friendly process. Throughout its average year life span, a cork oak can be harvested a remarkable 16 times, and this regular harvesting of cork is a decisive contribution to the sustainability of cork oak forests. Cork oak forests are the basis of a recognized biodiversity hotspot in the world as they are one of the few ecosystems capable of guaranteeing an economic activity while preserving biodiversity. This shows cork stoppers are the only choice responsible in social, environmental and performance terms. Amorim puts emphasis on RDI by both continuing with investment in knowledge about cork and establishing partnerships with research entities which have led to 17 patens submitted for registration in the past three years. That is why the FSC corks used by African Dawn Wines and produced by Amorim are that unique! For more information about our FSC corks please visit the subpage packaging and the story. For more information about Amorim please visit their website: http://www.amorim.com/en/home.php or their Sustainability report: http://www.corticeiraamorim.com/relatorios2009/pdf/sust_report_09_amorim_eng.pdf

In the beginning of this month the new website of African Dawn Wines was launched. The new design fits our concept and the ambience we want to transfer better. Much more information is given about the importance of biodiversity and associated concepts. The next step in the restyling process is the development of the animation, as we pursue to communicate in a clear and easy way about the importance of biodiversity and the role of African Dawn Wines. In this animation the story of biodiversity, plant kingdoms, the Biodiversity & Wine Initiative (BWI), Rooiberg, FSC and African Dawn Wines will be told supported by graphic images. Currently the storyboard of the animation is ready, meaning the style and ambience of the images have been determined. Soon the images have to start moving and overflow together to create the 'animation' The storyteller will be a South African. His round will compliment the atmosphere in the animation. We are really looking forward to the presentation of the animation on our website!

The persons in this video are Henk Toonen, one o the managers o A rican Dawn Wines and his daughter Saskia Toonen, who is responsible or the marketing o our wine brand. Together they explain why we believe A rican Dawn Wines should win the marketing award and what again is so special about our wines. The video is in Dutch, i you would like to have more in ormation on this item, please have a look at our website or contact us!

All companies that wished to participate had to sent their case before the end of May 2010. African Dawn Wines participates in the category wine importers and the case we have described in our application is the total concept of our wines. The total concept of African Dawn Wines is build on wines produced in harmony with nature. This achievement as first company in the world was reached with the membership of the Biodiversity & Wine Initiative (BWI) and by using only FSC corks and labels. All cases submitted will be assessed by a jury and the awards ceremony will be on the 27th of September.