New Gharb vineyard bears first fruits
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- October 28th 2008 edition of The Maltese Herald
- Strong relationship between the agricultural industry and the rural environment in Gozo
- Wine certification under ‘Maltese Islands’ I.G.T. denomination
- Higher returns in agriculture for Gozo
- 167 Gozitans successfully complete basic skills courses
- Agriculture in Gozo - An important economic activity
- Minister of Finance, the Economy & Investment addresses pre-budget seminar on Gozo
- Another 159 adults successfully complete ESF courses in Gozo
- New Gozo waste water treatment plant officially inaugurated
- Targeting human resource development & employability skills
- 170 Gozitans sucessfully complete EU courses
- Meeting on Career Paths in Agriculture in Gozo
- “Government failing to create jobs in Gozo” - Alternattiva Demokratika
- Courses in Literacy and Numeracy and in Agriculture on offer
- New EU Programmes Information Unit launched
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The terraced, picturesque landscape of Gharb, guarded by the medieval chapel of San Dimitri and the Ghammar Lighthouse, provided an idyllic backdrop to the first grape picking activity at 'Tas-Sisien Vineyards'.
This special event marked the first harvest of a start-up enterprise in Gozo called 'Tal-Massar', and signified the reaping of the first fruits of a four year long toil. The proprietors, Anthony Hili and his wife Marisa, embarked on this project of wine-making with the sole purpose of perpetrating an old tradition that was handed down from one generation to the other since 1936, using solely Gozitan eco-friendly grown grapes from their private estate at Gharb. Their idea was fostered through the opportunities which arose on Malta's accession to the EU especially with the prospects of financial aid through various schemes connected with agriculture and conservation of rural areas.
The Minister for Gozo, Giovanna Debono, attended for the first harvest of grapes at tas-Sisien Vineyards. The Minister commended the entrepreneurship of the young Hili couple especially with regards to their fully exploiting the opportunities offered by the various EU funded schemes through which they substantially benefited together with other Gozitan farmers.
Since Malta's accession to the European Union, the Agriculture Section of the Department of Projects and Development within the Ministry for Gozo, has been involved in processing applications and giving assistance with regards to schemes and aids granted through EU funding programmes. The Ministry for Gozo was also involved with other parties in the holding of courses and other information seminars co-financed through the European Social Fund, which also treated subjects connected with agriculture, amongst which viticulture and wine production. Minister Debono stressed the importance of agriculture towards the conservation and maintenance of Gozo's rural environment especially when it is considered within the eco-Gozo concept.
Tal-Massar opted for a particular approach to viticulture, better known as 'viticultur rationale', which basically focuses on reducing crop yields to improve quality meaning that each vine is allowed to produce only two kilos of grapes. Tas-Sisien vineyard has a density of 4,000 vines per hectare which are expected to yield 5000 bottles of Gozo red wine bearing the DOC certification. The vines of the 'Nero d'Avola' and 'San Giovese' types are also innovative as are the environmental friendly practices used, which are based on the integration of scientific and ecological principles as envisaged by EU legislation. This entails that the grapes are grown without the use of herbicides to ensure that no toxic residues will be present in the wine produced.
This event was attended by family and friends of the Hili couple, who all helped in the grape picking. The mayor of Gharb, Mr David Apap was also present for this occasion.
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Copyright © 2008
It is indeed a good idea what the Hili Family did.
But what about the Minister for Gozo? What has been done in regards to work for us Gozitans. She has been as Gozo Minister for 20 years (correct me if i am wrong) Can I ask anyone to tell me how many companies/factories have opened up in Gozo. Here in Xewkija the empty buildings have been re-opened by businesses that were already operational in other areas of Gozo, so what it means is that NO new jobs have been created!! And not only that the factories that are opening employ a very limited amount of workers Eg I know of factories that used to employ 300 and now it has around 6 to 8 people Is this how we are trying to alienate the Gozitans!!
Another point is:
In regards to Eco island, why is the 100 tumoli of orchards in the Ramla valley being allowed to be destroyed (because their water supply is going to be either cut off or contaminated by the new cemetery). If we really care about eco island, we should be taking care of what we already have.
I suggest to the Minister to visit this area and see the beauty of the area and what is going to be lost unless something is done fast to STOP the cemetery.
I know that the cemetery was not going to be built somewhere else because a borehole was nearby and they were worried about contaminating it. Again what about the hundreds of organic orchards that are going to be lost in this area.
PLEASE PLEASE someone look into it and stop more destruction in gozo
Can I just say very well done to the Hili family for a job well done, and wish them all the best for the future.
However I have to say that it really hacks me off when the Minister for Gozo, Giovanna Debono, jumps on every good news story going in order to get her photo in the papers. I haven’t seen any photos of her in front of that eyesore at Dwejra, which should have torn down months ago. Nor have I seen any photos of her at Hondoq assuring the people that she is behind them in their fight to stop developers building a marina there.
It’s time this lady realised that there is a lot more to being Minister for Gozo that latching onto a good news story and standing there with a grin on her face!
I totally agree with the above comments.
Prime minister Gonzi took Mepa under his jurisdiction which makes me believe that he knows too well what is happening over there.
Prime minister please see for yourself how a lot of ODZ permits are issued and investigate them - how some of them manage to get the permit even though the case officer recommends a refusal
But as was once said by a well known artichect, the reason why he gets a lot of his applications approved is because he has got the GIFT of convincing the board. How about this John and James?
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