Welland Valley Vineyard English wine and cider

2015

his was a very busy year with little time to update the website.

Fortunately we escaped the spring frosts which affected many vineyards and good flowering conditions produced a potentially big crop. The weather wobbled in August and early September and we wondered if the grapes would ripen sufficiently. However nature balances things up and October was warm and dry enough to ripen the grapes although we delayed starting the harvest by a week. Volume was around 25% up on our average and we had a huge crop of cider apples as well. Lots of hard work made easier by our loyal band of volunteer pickers and machinery operators.

The annual Wine Competition for vineyards in the Midlands and North of England was held in mid November with over 100 wines entered. We were pleased to receive Gold and Silver medals for our Steeplechase Sparkling 2011 and 2012 respectively and Best in Class for our Naseby 2014 red.

We also entered the CAMRA East Midlands Beer and Cider competition in Nottingham again and won Best Bottled Cider for a second year, this time with our King Richard III still cider.

2016

June - Having entered our King Richard III cider in the Northamptonshire Food & Drink Awards we hear that we have reached the Finals.

August - We entered the regional English Wine Competition and were awarded silver medals for our Steeplechase and Naseby red and bronze for Tickled Pink leading to our winning the Grower Winemaker of the Year Trophy for the second time.

The crop was much less than expected but due to an excellent autumn the quality looks to be outstanding.

2017

In April we were excited to send a case of our Steeplechase Sparkling Wine to the British Consulate in Zambia.

In August we were awarded the Grower/Winemaker of the Year cup at the annual Mercian Vineyards Association competition for ther 3rd time in 4 years.

As members of the Taste of Harborough group we participated in the new Spirit of Harborough event showcasing local products on May Bank Holiday Monday by hosting vineyard tours. We look forward to being part of a larger event in 2018.

More information on Spirit of Harborough and Taste of Harborough on www.spiritofharboroough.com o

During 2016 Harborough Movie Makers made a film of 'A year in the vineyard' which has been seen at Harborough Theatre and numerous local village halls. Harborough Movie Makers are happy to put on shows to aid local groups fund raise and can be contacted via their website

The 2017 harvest was good for both grapes and apples and the wine and cider is coming on nicely.

2018

Undoubtedly the best year since we planted in 1991. We started picking in mid September and the harvest was finished in the first week of October, which is when we usually start. It is a vintage year when both quality and quantity go hand in hand.

We joined 'Taste Harborough' which a new marketing organisation for local food and drink producers and retailers. A successful event was held in the The Square in Harborough and more events should follow.

2019

We will be at the Blaston Show, near Hallaton, on Sunday 30th June and at Harborough Classic Car Rally on Sunday 7th July.

Our Phoenix white wine was the Members' Choice in a blind tasting at the WineGB wine competition on 18th August.

We will be in the Square in Harborough on Saturday 21st September for Taste Harborugh Food and Drink day.

The grape harvest finished on the 17th October which despite the unseasonable rain was around the usual date with no reduction in yield.

Christmas - we are open by request. Please ring 07989 091721

Tastings in Waitrose stores - we will be in the following branches giving tastings of Steeplechase Sparkling from 11.30am unto around 2pm:

7th December Kingsthorpe, Northampton

14th December Stamford

21st Lutterworth

2020

March was unseaonably warm which led to the vines breaking bud and growing away earlier than usual. Two nights of -7c during the first week of May obliterated the early growth in the lower half of the vineyard which will mean probably a one third reduction in the crop this year. Still it could have been worse as some vineyards lost the entire crop.