For 2024 we are introducing Wales Week / Berkshire Spotlight Day, a chance for you to learn more about some Welsh organisations and listen to some of their favourites tunes which you can find on the Wales Week / Berkshire 2024 Spotify Playlist.
Today we shine the spotlight on White Castle Vineyard in Abergavenny.
White Castle Vineyard is a Welsh vineyard situated near the market towns of Abergavenny and Monmouth owned and run by Robb and Nicola Merchant.
Having purchased the 12 acre small holding in 1995 they converted the milking parlour into their home a year later, however it was 2008 before the dream of owning a vineyard become a reality, the 5 acre gently sloping, south facing field was purchased, soil tests were performed and vines ordered.
May 2009 saw the planting of 4000 vines, the varieties of vines planted were Pinot Noir, Regent, Rondo, Seyval Blanc & Phoenix, now there was no turning back, May 2010 saw a further planting of 800 vines this variety being Siegerrebe.
May 2019 marked their 10 year Anniversary since first planting and to mark this milestone they have planted a further 2000 vines these varieties are Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc.
Robb & Nicola have attended Plumpton College East Sussex to study viticulture, this training giving them the skills needed to produce quality Welsh Wines.
The grapes are closely monitored, as they ripen they will be carefully hand harvested and selected, then immediately transported to the winery for pressing to ensure we retain all the freshness and fruity aromas intact.”
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