MANKAYAN, Benguet ? Lepanto Consolidated Mining Corp. is the biggest gold producer in the country, but it may also be responsible for developing a new ?golden? product that has made local folk tipsy with success.

The Thorn and Roses Association of Lepanto has been producing golden-fermented nectar out of potatoes grown here.

Though not yet as potent as Polish vodka, Lepanto?s Best Wine is sweet with a hint of bitterness.

It used to be served only during Lepanto's company socials, but today, Best Wine has become a popular drink in Mankayan, thanks in part to the support of LCMC's employees.

Besao?s nuns

Inspired by the nuns in nearby Besao town in Mt. Province, who pioneered the now popular bignay (wild currant) wine, the Thorn and Roses Association has been championing that art of indigenous wine-making using banana, pineapple and other local produce.

The wives of mine workers and their underemployed colleague formed the Thorn and Roses to earn extra money from small-scale trade, says Knestor Jose Godino, LCMC mine division administrative services manager.

He says a male member represents the thorn of the 30 females in the association.

?Their purpose is to use the local products through processing and their vision is to develop local food products that are more nutritious if properly prepared and processed,? Godino says.

Someone gazed upon the nearby mountains and suggested potatoes, he says, because Mankayan is among the four top producers of potatoes in Benguet.

Unique taste

Using their new-found skills, the association members turned potatoes into wine and found the taste unique.

Traditional potato wine requires a pinch of lemon and sugar to be mixed with sliced potatoes, which are fermented in water and yeast for at least two weeks.

The members asked LCMC?s human resource department for P10,000 as starting capital. Their first foray produced 99 bottles of Best Wine, which were sold and promptly drank by company workers and officials, Godino says.

The group got a loan from Lepanto for its wine-making kit and the corporation also gave them a stall at the Mankayan Plaza Market to sell their wares domestically.

Today, the Thorn and Roses Association produces 400 bottles each month.

Best Wine comes in sweet and strong varieties. They have yet to produce a vodka line, which is also distilled potato juice.

Godino says the success of potatoes led the group to explore other native produce in their area for their wine label.