Taking its name from the ancient lands of the slopes above the village of Snitterfield, Welcombe Hills first produced wine in 2003 from grapes that enjoyed one of the finest English summers in memory.
Welcombe Hills vineyard was established in 2001. An initial area of half an acre was planted with Pinot Noir together with Dornfelder and Bacchus. Vines take three years to establish themselves so, apart from a small crop in 2002, the first harvest was taken to Three Choirs vineyard near Newent to be bottled in 2003. The vineyard was extended in May 2003 with a second planting of 1200 more vines which were harvested for the first time last October, and again in 2006 where the third parcel has in part been trained on Geneva Double Curtain.
Welcombe Hills Vineyard Scoops More Awards
At the United Kingdom Vineyards Association Competition in June, the Welcombe Hills Bacchus 2006 won a Silver Medal and our Rosé a Bronze.
The Welcombe Hills Pinot Noir 2005 and Welcombe Hills Pinot Noir 2006 Special Reserve were both highly commended.
The vineyard owners, Chris and Jane Gallimore, are delighted with this success, and especially with the national judges' comments, suggesting that they are part of the
coming-of-age of English wines, whose quality is becoming increasingly recognised by consumers. The awards also confirm the position of Welcombe Hills Vineyard as one of the most successful small vineyards in the U.K
At the United Kingdom Vineyards Association Competition in June, the Welcombe Hills Bacchus 2006 won a Silver Medal and our Rosé a Bronze.