Mutual & Federal partners with the Wellington Wine Route

Andries Wiese

Short-term insurer Mutual & Federal has intensified its relationship with the wine industry by partnering with the Wellington Wine Route and co-hosting a wine-tasting event held on 27 October 2011 at Southern Sun Hyde Park Hotel in Johannesburg.

Mutual & Federal is continuously involved in a number of initiatives that support agriculture. This time however, involvement with the wine industry took centre stage - with the short-term insurer pulling all stops to draw awareness to its commitment to this industry.

“Our relationship with the wine industry is important as it allows Mutual & Federal to keep abreast of any changes and challenges in this arena, enabling us to offer the best insurance solutions for those in the wine farm supply chain,” explains Andries Wiese, Group Manager for Mutual & Federal Agri.

“This is the second consecutive year that we have endorsed a Wellington project that promotes its award-winning wines,” adds Wiese.

This emphasis on partnerships and trust is also evident in the short-term insurer’s strategy which sets partnerships as one of its key building blocks - hence the dedication to maintaining strong relationships with the wine industry. Keeping a close partnership with clients allows the short-term insurer a better view of their customers’ unique needs and places them in a position to protect what is important to them.

This is why the company now offers extensions to its AgriWine policy to protect additional interests farm-owners may have, such as vehicles, guest lodges and eateries.

“We strive to be the short-term insurer of choice, which is why we regularly adapt our policies to cater for those things wine farmers hold near and dear. We’ve been insuring wine farmers for more than fifty years, so we understand the importance of offering a product that caters to individual needs,” says Wiese.

Moreover, the enhanced AgriWine product gives clients a wide range of cover options, providing clients with the necessary protection required in the context of environmental changes and their evolving needs.

In August 2011, Mutual & Federal Agri also sponsored the best overall wine trophy in Wellington’s second wine competition, Quest for the Best (Q4TB), which was awarded to Napier for the 2008 St Catherine. “Wellington producers entered some 80 wines and were complimented by a judging panel chaired by Dave Hughes for the marked elegance emerging from the wines,” says Wiese.

Diemersfontein’s 2010 Carpe Diem Viognier and its 2001 Carpe Diem Cabernet Sauvignon received Best White and Best Museum Class Red accolades respectively. The Best Red title went to Bosman Family Vineyards for its 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon.

Other awards in the competition included two awards for Best Value, with 2009 Alkmaar Old School Master as the red winner and Bovlei 2010 Gewurtztraminer as the white wine winner. The Best Spirit award was shared between Upland Organic Pot-Still Brandy (Best Grape Spirit) and James Sedgwick’s Three Ships 10-year Single Malt (Best Grain Spirit).

“As one of the country’s leading short-term insurers, we enjoy being actively involved in such initiatives as the Wellington Wine Route partnership. Through these opportunities we truly understand the client’s needs and share their passion. This way, we can protect their assets by developing policies that protect their wine farms,” says Wiese.

“It’s only through our relationships with the industry that we can learn and understand what the true needs are. This is why we support these initiatives and events, so that we are able to regularly adapt to the changing circumstances and needs of clients,” concludes Wiese.

Mutual & Federal, with its network of brokers, offer clients expert advice on the adequate cover that creates peace of mind for wine farmers, should anything happen.

Should you wish to find out more about the AgriWine product from Mutual & Federal, please contact your broker or visit our website at http://www.mf.co.za/.

Mutual & Federal, a member of the Old Mutual Group, is one of the leading short-term insurers in South Africa.