Description
“Le Vin Violette” is a social initiative developed in Andalusia through a collaboration between the Association of Women Survivors of Gender-Based Violence in Seville, Bodegas Robles and Ecovalia. The project involves the creation of a solidarity wine whose profits are used to support women who are survivors of gender-based violence, promoting their recovery, economic independence, and social inclusion. The initiative combines wine production with a strong social awareness component, turning wine into a tool for cultural transformation. The initiative is built on cooperation among the agri-food sector, women’s organisations, and social entities, integrating wine into awareness-raising campaigns on GBV. It also seeks to make the reality of women survivors more visible and to encourage private sector engagement in social causes. Although it focuses on wine as a product, its impact goes beyond the economic dimension, as it fosters cultural and social change through responsible consumption and solidarity linked to the wine sector.
Why this matters for Grapes of Change
This initiative is relevant because it integrates the wine sector into the fight against GBV through a solidarity-based economic model. It contributes to prevention by raising social awareness and increasing the visibility of women survivors, while also generating financial resources to support them. It stands out for its capacity to empower women, as it connects wine production with economic independence and the personal recovery of victims. For the wine sector, it represents an example of social innovation and corporate social responsibility, where the product becomes a tool for cultural change. Its collaborative nature (involving wineries, associations, and social organisations) enhances its potential for replication in other regions and agri-food sectors, particularly in projects linked to rural development and gender equality.
Lessons learned
The main lesson learned from the project is that the wine sector can play an active role in social transformation, beyond its traditional economic function. Using wine as a tool for awareness-raising shows that agri-food products can become effective instruments for addressing complex social issues such as gender-based violence. Another key lesson is the importance of collaboration among different stakeholders: women’s associations, wineries, and social organisations. This cooperation helps generate both economic and social impact, strengthening the project’s overall sustainability. Among its strengths, the initiative stands out for its ability to raise visibility and generate resources for women survivors. However, one of the main challenges lies in ensuring the long-term continuity of its impact and scaling the project so it does not remain limited to isolated or symbolic actions. It would also be advisable to strengthen the evaluation of social outcomes and to involve a broader range of actors within the wine sector, in order to consolidate the model as a structural good practice rather than a one-off initiative.