2009 promises to be possibly one of the best vintages at Welcombe Hills yet – not in terms of quantity (in comparison with 2006) - but certainly in terms of quality.
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, 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 Rosé 2008 and Welcombe Hills Pinot Noir Precoce 2007 were both highly commended.
This August, all five Welcombe Hills wines entered in the Mercian Vineyards Association regional competition won medals: the Pinot Noir 2007 and the Rose 2008 were both awarded Silver, and the Pinot Noir Precoce 2007, Bacchus 2008 and Hollow Meadow 2008 all won a Bronze.
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 Rosé 2008 and Welcombe Hills Pinot Noir Precoce 2007 were both highly commended.
