Sogrape ao serviço da comunidade
In times of uncertainty like these, the values of trust and cooperation become essential. To address the difficulties of the global pandemic, Sogrape has developed a set of direct community support initiatives – from the production of hand sanitizer to solidarity programs – since all help matters.
With a history of more than 75 years, Sogrape has seen every imaginable scenario and setting. However, for a company which emerged in the middle of World War II, respecting local communities and finding ways to make them better has always been one of our missions.
As a company accustomed to facing challenges hand-in-hand with the community, finding different ways of helping those most in need right now was a natural step. The production of around 25,000 litres of hand sanitizer to give to healthcare professionals, support for its brands with a live solidarity show and donations to outfit hospitals and everyone working on the ground are just some of the initiatives being done by the company and its employees to address the urgent needs of combating COVID-19.
Luís Sottomayor, the winemaker in charge of Douro wines at Sogrape (namely the incontrovertible “Barca-Velha”), leads the team which recently switched from wine bottles, labels and corks to start producing a 70% alcohol-based disinfectant solution.
Sogrape has donated around 25,000 litres of this solution made out of wine spirit to support healthcare professionals on the front lines in the fight against COVID-19. This donation was given to several institutions and hospitals, including the Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho Hospital Centre, Avintes Volunteer Fire Brigade, Campanha do Porto Hospital – Rosa Mota Pavilion, São João Hospital, Santo António Hospital, Aveiro Hospital, Portuguese Red Cross, Dona Antónia Adelaide Ferreira Retirement Home in Régua, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Lisbon, and others.
In addition to this company initiative, Sogrape and other producers from the sector have been mobilized, through the Association of Port Wine Companies, to produce 55,000 litres of this same alcohol-based antiseptic solution. Along these lines, the solution prepared by Sogrape will go to the Portuguese Oncology Institute (IPO) in Porto and to the Braga Hospital.
Also imbued in this social spirit, Sogrape answered the call of Centromarca (Portuguese Association of Branded Products) to make a donation to outfit three hospitals (Santo António Hospital in Porto, the Coimbra University Hospital and the North Lisbon Hospital Centre, which includes the Santa Maria and Pulido Valente Hospitals) with negative pressure rooms, essential in treating patients infected with the novel Coronavirus.
In a symbolic gesture of thanks to healthcare professionals, Sogrape also joined forces with Santini to give Sandeman Port Wine ice cream with figs and nuts to the teams of Porto’s São João Hospital on Easter Sunday. This special, heart-warming treat sweetened up the day for those who have been so tireless in the fight against this disease.
In another vein, but always with the same intent of helping, Mateus Rosé, Gazela, Porto Ferreira, Sandeman, Casa Ferreirinha, Trinca Bolotas and Quinta dos Carvalhais joined the platform vinhoemcasa.com to promote the “Alone, but in Great Company” live solidarity show on Instagram, whose main goal was to raise funds for the Portuguese Red Cross. Proceeds from the “Alone, but in Great Company” initiative will allow the Portuguese Red Cross to acquire, and then donate to hospitals and healthcare workers, personal protective equipment (such as masks, protective suits and hand sanitizer) and medical supplies (such as COVID-19 tests and medication), as well as address various logistical needs such as transporting patients, maintaining hospital campaign units and other needs. In addition to raising funds, the initiative has provided precious support to the cultural sector.
