The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights Anton Refalo, together with the Parliamentary Secretary for European Funds Chris Bonett, inaugurated an investment of more than €2.2 million, from Delicata Winery.
The project, which is co-financed by European funds, consists of top quality machinery through which the glass bottles pass before being filled with wine. During the inauguration, the benefits of this investment were explained, which is considered to be environmentally sustainable and which operates in an efficient way in energy. Among others, the investment includes a photovoltaic system and the insulation of the wine cellar.
Minister Anton Refalo noted how these types of investments continue to raise the level of the local product, this time the wine made from grapes harvested in the Maltese fields. He stressed that the Government committed to continue supporting such investments that come from private companies. He congratulated the Delicata family that has been operating for several years, for the valuable work they are doing.
“Through this multi-million investment, also co-financed by European funds, the production of this company continues to be strengthened and above all, the consumer will also benefit because he will continue to get a product from the best and of quality,” concluded Minister Refalo.
Parliamentary Secretary Chris Bonett pointed out how with the help of around €850,000 from European funds, Delicata Winery will be improving the quality of their product through investment in both equipment and infrastructure and thus contribute to the competitiveness of the Maltese vinicultural sector, both at EU and international level. He continued that through Measure 4.2, 20 projects of this type benefited from an investment of €5.5 million of European funds.
“Such projects encourage local producers to improve their rural activity while also ensuring that new young farmers can follow in the footsteps of past generations. This testifies to the government’s commitment to empower local farmers with the help of European funds,” said Parliamentary Secretary Bonett.
The Chairman of Delicata Group, George Delicata stressed that “the Delicata company in this investment has seen to consistently maintain the quality of our wines, but this new machinery is also incorporating the -best practices for water and energy conservation as well as on-site cleaning systems. In addition, it will integrate the most modern machinery to improve the presentation of labels and the shelf life of all Delicata wine bottles.”
