As the time for grape harvesting draws closer, all is set for yet another fruitful year at Fra Brettel, Famalco Group’s wine estates.

During the 12 months several improvements have been made at Fra Brettel’s picturesque estates in Rabat. As workers continued building the vineyard’s boundary walls to shelter the vines from the winds, Joseph Camilleri, the estate’s co-ordinator acquired new equipment to facilitate the watering and weeding of the vines. In the meantime, viticulturist Randall Caruana ensured that the vines continue to grow strongly and to produce superior quality grapes.

After a year of hard work, all are now looking forward to the most rewarding months – harvesting. “This year’s harvest is expected to be a good one and its development will be expectantly followed,” Caruana explains. Harvesting is expected to begin during the second or third week of August, when the 1.5 tumoli of Moscato Bianco grapes are picked. These are followed by other white grape varieties –2.29 tumoli of Vermentino, 0.57 tumoli of Viognier and 1.5 tumoli of Albarino. Harvesting of the first red grapes, the Syrah, begins in the first week of September. This is followed by the Negroamaro (1 tumolo) and the Grenache (0.5 tumolo). Finally, harvest ends with the Mourvedre and the Graciano, of which Fra Brettel’s estates have eight and 4.5 tumoli respectively.

This year has been characterised by a very dry winter which has limited the vines’ growth rates during spring. This is very different from last year’s very wet winter. “In contrast to last year the vineyard is enjoying better health conditions with only minor disease pressure,” the expert adds, “this is a result of the reduced humidity in the vineyard and a good ventilation provided by the wind.” The greatest drawback for 2010’s harvest is the drought problem. This meant that in order to keep the vines healthy Joseph had to irrigate them more frequently.

Fra Brettel is currently working on an ambitious project to establish its own boutique winery to produce high quality mono variety wines and personalised styles. Until the winery is completed, the vineyard’s grapes are being vinified under contract by commercial wineries. This is not the best solution for the vineyard’s particular range of grape varieties as the wines to be made have to follow the established protocols of the wineries. To partially overcome this obstacle, Fra Brettel is currently seeking to contract smaller wineries capable of vinifying the smaller quantities of grapes harvested for some of the varieties at Fra Brettel.

Fra Brettel’s future

The Fra Brettel Estate is still a universe in creation. As its vineyards begin to mature both the quality and quantity of the harvests are expected to improve. These estates are ideal for the creation of rural activities targeted at tourists and locals who wish to experience the taste of our land and our passion through the wines we produce and the rich local agricultural tradition. The establishment of a small boutique winery will enable Fra Brettel to use the potential of the grapes it produces to the full. This would mean that wines of different styles and different blends can be created in response to each year’s particular characteristics and presented to visitors.

As the whole world follows the crème de la crème of the beautiful game, politicians and entrepreneurs accepted Vida Magazine’s invitation to play a charity football match in aid of the children at the Dominican Sisters’ crèche in Zabbar.

Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Lawrence Gonzi and Opposition Leader Hon. Dr. Joseph Muscat inaugurated the Vida World Cup Charity Appeal at the St. Aloysius College Sports Complex, Birkirkara on Thursday 3rd June. Through the campaign Vida Magazine is encouraging the public to donate money for the building of a new playground for the children living at the St. Joseph Children’s Home in Zabbar. The honourable guests were welcomed by Richard Muscat Azzopardi, Vida’s managing editor, and the directors of Famalco Group Sandro Mallia, Hermann Mallia and Etienne Mallia. The latter also joined the business representatives’ team playing against the MPs. Vida Magazine is published by Focused Knowledge Ltd, Famalco Group’s media, marketing and PR division.

Children at the St. Joseph Home currently spend their free time in a rundown playing field – the swings are rusted and their seats are disintegrating. There are no proper safety carpets to stop the children from injuring themselves – instead there’s just a rough concrete surface. Recently the Works Department of the Ministry for Resources and Rural Affairs offered to help the crèche renovate this yard. They will be providing architectural services and the required structural works. However, the Dominican Sisters still face several expenses to cover most of the materials and equipment required to complete the project.

“We thought it fit that while we are enjoying the best of football magic we also make sure that children can enjoy their games too,” Muscat Azzopardi said before the game. Through its June issue Vida invited the Maltese and Gozitan people to donate money to help make the children’s playground a safer place to play in.

Sister Angelina, one of the nuns who take care of the children at the crèche, thanked everyone involved. “We know that you all have important things to attend to, and to leave all that behind for a while to come and help us is a very special thing. It is a very noble act, as the background these children come from is inconceivable to many of us – that is why your help truly encourages us to continue working with these children.”

Former international referee Charles Agius officiated the game, which ended with the score of 9-1 in favour of the businessmen. The event was featured in all local newspapers and news websites, as well as in the 8’o clock news of all local television stations.

Click here to join the Vida World Cup Charity Appeal Facebook Event Page and to find out how you can donate.

Fahrenheit Freight Forwarders, the transport and logistics arm of Famalco Group, was recently featured in the International Transport Journal (ITJ), the renowned magazine published in English, French and German and read by an average of 90,000 industry players around the world.

Alexander Mallia, director of Famalco Group and Fahrenheit Freight Forwarders, was interviewed by the magazine’s deputy editor Jutta Iten. The full-page report, entitled ‘Top name for cool transport’, highlights the company’s continuous investment in state-of-the art technology, particularly in its temperature-controlled freight services between Malta and mainland Europe. These services placed Fahrenheit at the forefront in the provision of refrigerated transport for local producers and traders, particularly pharmaceutical and chemical manufacturers and food importers.

Fahrenheit’s director also talks to the ITJ journalist about the latest developments within the company. “At the moment we are upgrading our tracking and tracing systems. The new state-of-the-art solution we are implementing makes it easier for our clients to monitor the location and condition of their cargo whilst in transit.” The company is also collaborating with its international partners to provide competitive services in new markets, including Eastern Europe and the Baltic states.”

All arrangements for the interview were made by Focused Knowledge Ltd, Famalco Group’s Media, Marketing and PR division.

International Transport Journal's interview with Alexander Mallia