During the last 6 years, La Petite Provence has established a reputation for excellent quality boutique wines. It is one of a few residential wine estates in the Western Cape whose wine company (Olifantshoek Wine Co (Pty) Ltd/La Petite Provence Wine Co) is totally owned by enthusiastic residents living on the Estate. Ownership is through a Trust – La Petite Provence Wine Trust – and the decision has been taken that the venture is now in a position to expand, so we are now inviting people from outside the Estate to become members of La Petite Provence Wine Trust. Full membership (ownership) is limited to an absolute maximum of 211 members, although associate membership also provides most of the benefits of full membership, eg discounted wine, wine tasting, news updates, etc.
We are, therefore, offering an inclusive membership scheme, which can lead to Full Member status (ownership) – one that offers a really good value–for–money proposition. We have recognised that, for potential UK members, the costs associated with importing wine into the UK, ie, import duty, excise duty and VAT, plus the reducing value of Sterling, has become excessive. We are, therefore, offering a scheme that will be partly subsidised, as an alternative to the main scheme, and this is outlined below. The choice of schemes is yours!
Instead of paying your associate membership subscription and shipping costs in Rands, you may pay in Sterling as a package arrangement. During the 2011 membership year, you will be asked to pay a subscription of £185, for which you will receive 30 bottles of any red wine from the Estate. Shipping costs, UK VAT, Import and Excise Duty are significant but you will only be asked to pay a shipping supplement of £60, significantly below actual cost, making a total membership payment of £245. You may be asked to take wine at a time to match shipping arrangements to the UK.
If, at the end of the 12–month period, you choose to renew your membership by paying the current exchange rate equivalent of the membership subscription, plus the shipping supplement, and provided that the total membership of the Trust has not exceeded 211, you will be invited to become a Full Member of the Trust with a personal stake holding equivalent to 0.25% ownership of the Trust. You therefore become a part–owner of the wine enterprise. You can draw wine up to the value of the subscription payment in the same way as in the first year.
Joining is easy! All you need to do is to complete the membership application form, sign, scan and e–mail it to us, with confirmation of your payment. This you can do either by depositing £245 into our bank account or by setting up an electronic funds transfer. Our banking details are on the application form. As soon as we receive your completed application and subscription, you can arrange to collect the wines of your choice from our central depots in Oxfordshire and Lichfield and enjoy the fruits of your investment. You should note that our intention will be to retain the subsidy for so long as it can be justified economically, or until the payment of dividends takes away the need to offer this subsidy.
Provided you pay your membership subscription at the beginning of each membership year, which runs from 1 March to 28 February, you will retain your membership status. If you fail to renew your membership, you will cease to be a member of the Trust and you will forfeit your ownership stake.
This is a unique opportunity to "live the dream" and become part of the South African wine owners’ fraternity by means of involvement in one of the most exciting new developments in the wine industry. This scheme allows you to realise this dream but without the risks usually associated with such ventures. Ownership, of course, carries its own responsibilities and as a full member you are encouraged, and expected, to take the opportunity to become involved and to make your own personal contribution to the success of La Petite Provence Wine Estate.
Click here for the application form
See our FAQ page for more details or e–mail us with any questions you may have.