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The social and ecological aspect,
a pillar of the Sentema Distillery
Attached to its values, Lolita has two guiding principles: to create quality spirits in a virtuous and sustainable way. Lolita forbids any concession on ecology for the lure of a higher gain. For her activity, she wants to reconcile economic viability and respect for nature. Consequently, sobriety is the rule. At the Sentema Distillery, you will not see sugar cane imported from the West Indies for the production of Rum, nor exotic pepper for Gin, nor star anise for Pastis. The south of France is an incredible reserve of plants and fruits. By preserving a local and human scale in the development of her distillery, the young woman sources sufficient quantities from small regional producers, or more widely from cooperatives in the south of France.
In France, alcohol is mainly produced by large industries which have held a monopoly for several decades. This industrialization has pushed into the background what constitutes the essence of spirits: it is above all a material of agricultural origin, made from cereals or fruits.
Paradoxically, everyone has already heard of a neighbor or a grandfather producing his own “hooch”. A few itinerant distillers perpetuate the tradition.
Moreover, the evocation of the still has a strong impact on the collective imagination. The traditional distillery touches on memories, most often happy memories of good times shared. As Lolita points out, "deciding to produce in a (really) artisanal way means going back to that: to the handmade, to the sharing, to the real, the accessible, to bring each of these memories back to life, and better still, to offer the possibility of creating new ones. 'But does that still exist? We have the right ?' How many times have I heard this phrase lately! »
“The question of the environment, ecology, sustainable development is a filter through which pass 100% of my reflections, questions, decisions. »
With industrialization, the distillery is accompanied by a certain opacity. What products do you consume while drinking a Pastis, a Gin, a Whiskey or a Vodka? In reality, no regulation obliges manufacturers to indicate the content of beverages on the label. Was an anti-foaming agent used during the distillation? Is the alcohol sweetened or colored? Poor in composition, some products contain aromas and molecules with neurotoxic properties. The raw material sometimes comes from distant countries, cultivated by underpaid workers in dramatic conditions for the environment.
Going against the current, Lolita proudly lists its ingredients and their origin. "Transparency on the raw materials with which I work is essential, and it also means valuing the work of my collaborators, market gardeners and pickers in particular".
Whatever the obstacles, she does not lose sight of her goal: sustainable development, which is at the heart of her project.
With this in mind, the Sentema distillery uses 100% recycled glass bottles, a bold initiative that naturally comes at a cost. It doesn't matter… in the eyes of the young woman, it's the future! “Supporting this small niche on my scale means a lot to me. My stoppers are made of organic cork and wood from certified forests. The question of the environment, ecology, sustainable development is a filter through which pass 100% of my reflections, questions, decisions. »
For Lolita, spirits are above all a means of recreating the link between humans and nature. The young woman invites us to consume less, but better. “I am based in a rural area, a magnificent village in Provence, less than 1000 inhabitants, on this scale, each new craft and commercial activity is a boost given to the community. It's getting people talking about the village, it's attracting people, making it more attractive, it's also the bond between its inhabitants, a pride that radiates for everyone. »
